It’s not too late for organizations and individuals to learn more about social justice with YWCA South Florida. Now through March 15, the 100-year-old social justice organization hosts the 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge.
In a release, the organization described the challenge as “neutral ground for participants to learn, grow, and discuss how racism and bias impact everyday life and communities at large. Participants can expect eye-opening content covering a wide range of justice topics, from education and criminal justice reform to public health and voting. Participants will unpack history and its ties to racism in our country daily to build an undeniable new base of knowledge.”
This year’s challenge includes new resources and a Spanish version launched in collaboration with Univision Miami called 21 Días de Acción. The 2021 version follows up on the success of the first challenge held in 2020, which YWCA says saw more than 4,500 participants in more than 150 cities. This year, organizations taking on the challenge include BankUnited, rbb Communication, Gensler, KPMG and Kaufman Rossin.
“Racism can spread like a disease corroding the health of our community if it goes unchecked. Through the 21-Day Challenge, we are building up our community’s immunity against racism by developing a basic understanding and empathy on the implications of social inequality and racial injustice,” said Kerry-Ann Royes, CEO of YWCA South Florida. “In 2020, we ignited 22,000 conversations during the 21-Day Challenge, by the end of 2021 we hope to triple the number of conversations with the support of our generous partners and actionable programming that brings communities closer together to create an equitable and just environment for all.”
Registrants will discuss issues with other participants in a private Facebook group. Royes will also host weekly Q&As with subject matter experts on Instagram Live during Take Action Tuesdays. YWCA South Florida will also host conversations with special guests on Facebook Live for Forward Fridays.
In addition to the challenge, YWCA South Florida also began new initiatives such as the new Florida Economic Justice Council and the YWCA South Florida Workforce Pipeline Program, sponsored by Kaufman Rossin. The organization says the initiatives “aim to successfully place 300 underemployed women, and/or under-represented groups, into the living-wage workforce in the next two years, recession-proofing them and their families from continued systemic discrimination.” After the challenge, YWCA South Florida will host one-week challenges to educate on racism in sports, gender-based violence, environmental justice and more.
Click here to join the challenge.
Join the challenge
Good work from the YWCA.
Let’s hope other organizations follow Kerry-Ann’s lead.