The Race Relations Subcommittee is made up of a group of volunteers from the Community Coalition who work toward racial equity in the community. The goal of this group is to create opportunities for community members to engage in honest discussions around race by bolstering communication between different groups that make up our community. They work to create spaces that help break down stereotypes, and prejudice judgements. This group is also responsible for researching, planning, and hosting educational seminars, workshops, trainings, and recording and preserving life experiences of people of color within our community.
Community Conversations
Community conversations is a public forum within the University of Illinois Chancellor’s Community-Compact initiative. This initiative aims to “enhance the lives of people in Illinois, across the nation, and around the world through our leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development.” These community conversations are designed to connect university resources and community members by discussing challenges that the community faces and exploring innovative solutions.
Race Talks
Race Talks is a school-based program facilitated by Donna Tanner-Harold. This series of talks permits an honest and open space for children to discuss race from their personal lens and center conversation around solutions to building a positive sense of self. Race Talks also provides students an opportunity to learn what challenges other students face and teaches the importance of diversity and acceptance.
Social Justice Training and Workshops
Trainings hosted by Joe Minarik and Jocelyn Landrum-Brown focus on anti-oppression, anti-racism and social justice education in communities, organizations, and higher education settings. These trainings allow an opportunity for participants to learn about social identity-based privileges, leading small and large groups in understanding privilege, and help community organizations develop strategies for policy change.
Book Club/Moving Showing
A collection of resources assembled by Race Relations Subcommittee for members of the public in the form of books and movies. This collection of resources dissects topics such as racialized trauma, privilege, understanding systemic racism, race in history, social and economic policy, becoming an ally, working together, supporting one another, trauma and healing, and trauma education.
Racial Taboo
In 2016, the committee held a variety of showings of the documentary film “Racial Taboo” produced by Brian Grimm, a white, middle-aged North Carolina businessman. He realized that he had no black friends. He asked his liberal white friends how they made black friends, and they said they didn’t have any.
Acquaintances, yes.
Business-related connections, yes.
But friends, no.
“Racial Taboo” is Brian’s exploration of racial prejudice. It takes an honest look at America’s racial history and examines how that legacy continues to affect our society today. The film is intended to be a catalyst for open, respectful, and ongoing conversations between people of different races. The film provided a vehicle for diverse audiences to have serious conversations on open and friendly terms to explore racism. Small group discussions after the film helped people turn acquaintanceships into friendships by promoting understanding on both sides of the racial divide.
Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference
COMING SOON!
The 3rd Annual Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference is planned for September 20, 2025!
The conference aims at addressing the challenges of mental health in the black community and assisting those affected and their families on a path to wellness. Sessions included in-depth conversations about realizing and recognizing racialized trauma, supporting and strengthening black youth mental health, parenting under pressure, mental health and the black church, the journey of grief, how to have difficult conversations about mental health, pursuing wellness, and mental health and substance abuse.
Check back for updates and information on registration!
