Racial Equity Consciousness Institute (RECI)

Here at RECI, we define racial equity consciousness as the dispositions, knowledge, awareness, and skills that empower individuals and communities to contemplate and cultivate racial equity. These components work together to form an individual's and community’s understanding and ability to engage with and actively challenge racial inequity. Each component plays a critical role in informing the theory and practice of racial equity consciousness. Dispositions - The attitudes, beliefs, commitments, motivations, values, etc., that guide an individual's or community's approach to achieving racial equity. Developing racial equity dispositions involves fostering a growth mindset and embracing the ongoing process of self-reflection and personal transformation. Knowledge - The understanding of the historical, social, political, and cultural contexts that contribute to racial disparities and inequalities. Racial equity knowledge equips individuals and communities with the necessary information to identify and address racial inequities in a well-informed and evidence-based manner. Awareness - Racial equity awareness involves being conscious of the pervasive nature of racism, the existence of racial inequities, the impact these inequities have on marginalized communities, and the opportunities to cultivate racial equity. Developing racial equity awareness is a continuous process that requires self-reflection, critical thinking, and the willingness to engage in difficult conversations about race and racism. Skills - The practical abilities and competencies necessary for individuals and communities to effectively promote and advance racial equity. Building racial equity skills involves developing the capacity to navigate complex social dynamics, engage in constructive dialogues on race and racism, collaborate across differences, analyze data to identify and address disparities, develop equitable policies and practices, and facilitate meaningful change within organizations and communities.

We are just a little over 2 weeks away from the RECI Facilitators Academy! We are so excited to have a new cohort of people join us for an immersive, empowering, and transformative experience.

Lead the change. Become a facilitator for racial equity. Join us for an immersive, empowering, and transformative experience at the RECI Facilitators Academy from July 15 - 19 at the University of Pittsburgh’s Center on Race and Social Problems. This five-day train-the-trainer program prepares participants to become certified facilitators of RECI’s Structured Cognitive Behavioral Training (SCBT) framework for racial equity consciousness development. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/e57mTWBr Please note that limited spots are available and registration will close once capacity is met.

"Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a lead figure in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1963, he worked alongside other activists and civil rights groups to organize the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. During this march, King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. One of the most well-known and quoted parts of this speech is “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Throughout his activism, King was arrested for participating in an Atlanta sit-in that was aimed at desegregating the city. However, he continued to advocate for freedom, stating that “there is nothing greater in all the world than freedom. It’s worth going to jail for. It’s worth losing a job for. It’s worth dying for.” King’s legacy and impact continue to inspire activists fighting injustice today. Art by Morgan Overton https://lnkd.in/es4T_QRr

What is RECI? RECI stands for the Racial Equity Consciousness Institute Our mission is to provide individuals and communities with the tools to actively deconstruct racism and cultivate racial equity. RECI was founded in 2021 by Ron Idoko. Ron is the Associate Director for the University of Pittsburgh Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP) Why do we need RECI? Systemic racism is a public health crisis in the United States. It negatively impacts the mental and physical health of millions of people — focally, people of color. RECI aims to educate individuals on racism and create the space for ALL to feel welcome and comfortable when talking about issues of race. RECI’s facilitated training program uses a variety of resources such as narrative guides, videos, articles, open discussion, and more! Stay tuned for more updates, information, and opportunities to get involved with RECI!