YWCA is on a mission to Unite Against Racism
We Unite Against Racism every day by raising awareness about the impact of institutional and structural racism and by building community among those who work for racial justice.
Unite Against Racism:
Practicing Solidarity and Imagining New Futures
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
5:45 PM - 8:30 PM
Fleetwood-Jourdain Center
1655 Foster Street Evanston, IL 60201
Join us for an important discussion about deepening our work and moving to a model of solidarity!
This year’s Unite Against Racism event is the launch of a transformational journey, where solidarity becomes not just a lofty ideal, but a guiding principle in our quest for meaningful change and our work for justice. Together, we can shape the future we want to see.
This April, YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s Equity Institute invites you to our Unite Against Racism event, “Practicing Solidarity and Imagining New Futures”. Facilitated by Jessica Vazquez Torres, National Program Director of Crossroads Antiracism, we’ll explore what it takes to cultivate solidarity and what gets in the way of genuine connection and collaboration. Jessica will be in conversation with a panel who will share their experiences of co-struggle in many areas, including housing, immigration, and collective liberation.
Through thought-provoking discussion, we’ll consider how both organizations and individuals can move beyond a charity framework and deepen the impact of their work. Participants will walk away with conceptual and practical ways to root themselves in solidarity and imagine new futures.
Update on Unite Against Racism (formerly Stand Against Racism) in 2024:
After careful reflection that considered community feedback, research, and overall intended impact, we have decided to change the format of Unite Against Racism from a community public demonstration and post-event discussion to a single event that has both an education and action component.
YWCA E/NS is always striving to make our mission-driven work more meaningful by contributing to the dismantling of racial inequities. In our ongoing efforts to ground our work in the perspectives of those most impacted by racism, we recognize the disconnect and potential harm the public events created within BIPOC communities. The need to evolve was certain. We are dedicated to moving from an individual to a collective framework that supports our goals of action and structural change. For this year, Unite Against Racism will be an evening, in-person event that provides a framework and tools to grapple with how organizations can act in solidarity with the communities with whom they work. We are looking forward to exploring this question together.
We understand that an evening event precludes participation from students and recognize that racial equity work is essential for all ages. Please reach out if you work with school-age children and are interested in discussing ways to engage them. In addition, we will keep everyone updated about our plans for 2025 which will build upon our new framework and Unite Against Racism goals. We thank you for your commitment to anti-racism work and for partnering with YWCA E/NS to create change.
“You’re on the right path if you are intentionally trying to reduce the gap between your values and your actions.” – Mariame Kaba
For questions, please contact Heather Sweeney, Equity Institute Learning
Manager, hsweeney@ywca-ens.org
About Unite Against Racism
Until Justice Just Is and Unite Against Racism (formerly Stand Against Racism) is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities.
Founded by YWCA Trenton and YWCA Princeton in 2007, Until Justice Just Is quickly grew to a national presence by 2010, when an additional 80 YWCAs across the nation, including YWCA Evanston/North Shore, organized demonstrations for racial justice. Over 2,000 organizations across 39 states joined YWCAs in the Stand Against Racism. This phenomenal success has attracted well over 250,000 participants and earned the endorsement of five U.S. Governors. The event has been widely featured by local ABC, NBC, CBS, and other networks.