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The Emotional Rollercoaster of Activism: Channeling Feelings for a Powerful Mission

Lucretia Berry  •  September 2023  Be honest. You’ve been doing the work, and it’s hard, right? The emotional, spiritual, and physical labor takes a toll on you. Well, we see you and Dr. Zinobia Bennefield has created a course specifically for you!  The Mindful Anti-Racist is designed to center the feelings of those engaged in anti-racism work, acknowledge that those feelings are important (no

Anti-Racist Education: Why Extremists Fear It and We All Need It

Troublemaker Training Special Event Lucretia Berry  •  September 28 2023  I have been invited by the organization, Red, Wine & Blue to be a speaker for their Troublemaker Training series. I will share on what anti-racist education and my anti-racism high school elective actually entail. Students who have taken Anti-Racism 101, the course I designed and have taught since 2018, will participate

How to put an end to ‘reverse racism’ and other common misconceptions

Lucretia Berry  •  September 26, 2023  “I enrolled in this course because its title, ‘What is Race/ism?’ made me question my understanding of racism,” explained the high school student.  “I walked into the class confident that I knew what racism was. But as the class unfolded throughout the school year, I realized that I knew so little, actually close to

My Day in Court

A Window into the Criminal Justice System Laura Marti – September 19, 2023 “Justice is never actually experienced directly. By contrast, we do experience injustice, and it is only through this that we form an idea of justice.”  — Nancy Fraser, Professor of Philosophy & Politics at the New School for Social Research I recently had the opportunity to gain insight

Embracing Our Shared Histories – The Relevance of Your Past and Mine

by Sara Chinakwe   •  September 12, 2023  In elementary school, the only thing I learned about Black history was condensed into a chapter of our history book which highlighted the enslavement of my ancestors. I didn’t know how to verbalize my feelings when it came to learning about slavery, but I knew I felt…shame, sadness, misunderstood, and singled out.

Children Books

36 Children’s Books That Build Racial Literacy Without the Overwhelm

Lucretia Carter Berry, PhD  •  June, 2023  Do you find it challenging to discuss the important topic of race/ism with kids? Do you wish there was a comprehensive and impactful way to approach this subject without overwhelming children or ourselves? Addressing race/ism and other social schisms with children from an early age is crucial for promoting a more inclusive and equitable

Healing Requires More Than a Band-aid

Afrika Afeni Mills •   August 29, 2023 What comes to mind for you when you think of healing? For me, I immediately think of wounds, and when I think of wounds, I think about the many I experienced as a child while playing outside. One incident comes to mind in particular.  When I was around five years old, I was playing

When I Hear ‘White Privilege’

Tracey McKee  • August 22, 2023 The first time I heard the term white privilege, I remember thinking that it didn’t apply to me. My reaction was not unique; as you have probably seen, the media has covered a lot of stories about the backlash to terms like white privilege and oppression. Almost as if a default setting had kicked in, when

Get Out of Judgment and Into Curiosity

Dan Berry  •  August 15, 2023  Having a productive conversation with anyone about any subject will only happen if you have a basic understanding of the terminology that is included in said subject.   Here at Brownicity we have identified 43 different terms and their definitions that will help us all get on the same page when it comes to race related

Navigating the Illusion of Race

How a comprehensive understanding deflates its power Lucretia Berry  •  August 8, 2023  “We didn’t know if you’d be a boy or girl, but we knew you’d be Black!”  As a child, I heard this phrase a number of times. It speaks to the significance of racial identity – to the certainty and weight of race in our society. It’s

Effective Learning and Growth

Empowering Anti-racism: Essential Elements for Effective Learning and Growth

Tracey McKee  • June 26, 2023 I was admittedly nervous and unsure when I stepped into my first anti-racism course over five years ago.  I had no idea what to expect and worried that there were many ways such an endeavor could go wrong.  After all, the fact that we need anti-racism education in our country isn’t because we are good

Why is it so difficult to learn about race?

Why is it so difficult to learn about race/ism?

Dan Berry  •  June 20, 2023  My wife Anne and I will be married for 48 years this August.  Over the years, we have had a boatload of disagreements.  Whenever a disagreement would arise, I would feel personally attacked, become defensive, and we became two rocks in a blender.  Because my go-to was to become insecure, I would get angry, frustrated

Dr. Janet Helms

Dr. Janet Helms’ White Racial Identity

Why talking about race is especially hard for White people Laura Marti – June 13, 2023 Feature Image: Boston College  Talking about race is challenging for many people, but it can be particularly difficult for White people. Why is that? Discussions about race often evoke strong emotions and opinions, which can make it difficult to have a productive and respectful conversation.

Celebrate Loving Day

Celebrate Loving Day: Honoring Love, Human Rights, and Diversity

Lucretia Berry  •  June 6, 2023  Monday, June 12th is Loving Day — a day that holds special significance as it honors the love and resilience of Richard and Mildred Loving, whose courageous fight against anti-miscegenation laws changed the course of history. Before I share four ways to celebrate, let’s understand the history that demanded their fight. A Brief History

Hues of you summer camp

‘Hues of You’ Summer Camp

A Transformative Antiracism Journey for Kids! Lucretia Berry  •  May 30, 2023  Are you a parent or educator who finds it challenging to discuss the important topic of race/ism with kids? Do you wish there was a comprehensive and impactful way to approach this subject without overwhelming children or ourselves? Look no further! Hues of You Summer Camp is here

Early language matters free summit

Early Language Matters

FREE 2023 Speech, Language and Communication Early Years Summit Lucretia Carter Berry  •   May 23, 2023 Join Dr. Tehia Starker Glass and me, and 27 other amazing speakers at the upcoming 2023 Speech, Language and Communication Early Years Summit. The Summit is free to watch all week from May 29th to June 4th. Each speaker is an expert in their

Why Teaching Adults About Race/ism is Challenging

But Teaching Kids is Fun! Lucretia Berry  •   May 16, 2023 “They can educate themselves!”  I often hear this proposed as a viable strategy for transformation. My thought is that if people have enough comprehension, competency, and efficacy to design their own education – one that builds their capacity to confidently engage in dismantling harmful practices and cultivating justice and

Why teaching about racism is hard

Why Teaching About Race/ism is Hard

and how we can get better Afrika Afeni Mills •   May 9, 2023 When I think back on the hard things I learned how to do when I was a child, lots of examples come to mind. In sixth grade, I experienced learning a new language in school for the first time. I had some familiarity with the Spanish language from

Difficulties of teaching rasicm

The Difficulties of Teaching About Race/ism

Reflections of a Certified Instructor Dan Berry – May 2, 2023 How many times in our lives have we learned a truth about something and ran with it like we had all the understanding we needed to change the world – maybe to our spouse, our partner, or our kids?  Every time that happened in my life, I found out there

School leaders perspecive on antiracism PD and Curriculum

A School Leader’s Perspective on Anti Race/ism PD and Curriculum

Tracey McKee – April 25, 2023 A couple of weeks ago, I met with Joy Warner, the recently retired director of Community School of Davidson (CSD) in Davidson, NC.  I wanted to talk with her about her journey to find an anti race/ism curriculum for CSD.  Community School of Davidson is a K-12 public charter school that has been wildly

Why diversity programs has failed

Why Diversity Programs Have Failed

Brownicity  •   April 4, 2023 feature image source: https://musaalgharbi.com/2020/09/16/diversity-important-related-training-terrible/ Diversity programs have been implemented in many organizations with the goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace. However, despite good intentions, many of these programs have failed to achieve their intended outcomes. Let’s explore some of the reasons why diversity programs may fail and what organizations can do to

How Fear Silences Us - Brownicity

How Fear Silences Us

Dan Berry – March 28, 2023 Have you ever sat with a person as they tried to explain to you how your new computer, phone, or some electronic device worked and you nodded in agreement, left the impression you understood everything they just explained to you, but were actually clueless?  Okay, maybe that’s just my story, but why?  Why did I

It was Hard to Talk about Racism Until I got an Education

It was Hard to Talk about Racism Until I got an Education

Tracey McKee – March 21, 2023 Race and racism are hard to talk about.  Having open, honest, and productive dialogue with others always helps us arrive at more thoughtful and creative ways to solve our issues.  But when we consider talking about race/ism, most of us tend to shy away.  If you are a person of color, you may be

Common Mistakes People Make When Talking About Race/ism

Common Mistakes People Make When Talking About Race/ism

Lucretia Berry  •   March 14, 2023 So, you want to actively engage in dismantling race/ism, but fear making mistakes? Here are seven of the most common mistakes people make when broaching the subjects of race and racism. 1. Believing that race/ism only affects certain races: Racism affects all racial groups, including white people (e.g. historically, real estate speculators profited from

Five Reasons It’s Hard to Talk About Race/ism

Five Reasons It’s Hard to Talk About Race/ism

Lucretia Berry  •   March 7, 2023 Race/ism touches every aspect of our lives – identity, interpersonal relationships, access to healthcare and food, our finances, where we live, go to school, work, gather to worship, and play – yet we struggle to talk about it coherently, confidently, and in ways that help us create a society free of race/ism.  Here are

sherrilyn ifill learn to learn with laura

Sherrilyn Ifill — “Leave No Power on the Table” in the Fight for Racial Justice

Laura Marti – February 23, 2023 Sherrilyn Ifill is a prominent civil rights lawyer, legal scholar, and activist who dedicated her career to advancing racial justice and equality. She served as the seventh President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), one of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations, from 2013 to 2022, and currently serves as President and

Jean-Michel Basquiat Learn to learn with laura

Jean-Michel Basquiat

The Neo-Expressionist Black artist who changed the face of contemporary art Laura Marti – February 21, 2023 Feature image: Jean-Michel Basquiat | Getty Images Jean-Michel Basquiat was a pioneering artist who used his art to explore complex issues of race, class, and identity. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1960, Basquiat was the son of Haitian and Puerto Rican immigrants. He

22 Reasons to LOVE Hues of You

22 Reasons to LOVE Hues of You

On February 22, the activity book, Hues of You turns one!! Stay tuned for fun ways to celebrate. In the meantime, for ❤️Valentine’s Day❤️ here are 22 reasons to LOVE this book. How will you help children navigate things you aren’t sure of yourself? With children, learning doesn’t always happen with words. Complex concepts can’t be figured out in a

I would Rather Be Woke

I’d Rather Be Woke

Dan Berry – February 14, 2023 As a follower of Jesus who is learning how to truly love all of my neighbors — not just the ones that are like me — sometimes I wonder why there is so much opposition from others who claim to follow Him.  As much as I try to avoid misinformed commentary, it seems that

Black Resistance in Education - The Origins of BHM

Black Resistance in Education – The Origins of BHM

Tracey McKee – February 9, 2023 As February approached, I found myself wanting to know more about Black History Month’s origins.  Who was behind its inception?  When was it first observed?  What were the hopes for the celebration? How has it grown? I began to research Black History Month and was delighted to meet Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father

The Narrative of Racial Difference

Father of the Underground Railroad: The Resistance of William Still

Laura Marti – February 7, 2023 Feature image: William Still (1821-1902), a conductor on the Underground Railroad who helped nearly 800 enslaved African Americans to freedom. William Still was an abolitionist and civil rights activist who played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad. He risked his life shepherding runaway enslaved people to freedom in the tumultuous years leading up to

Black History Hidden in Plain Sight

Black History Hidden in Plain Sight

Lucretia Berry  •   February 2, 2023 Because Black History Month is for acknowledging, honoring, and celebrating the contributions of African-Americans that are largely absent from the education on American history and formation, I typically stay away from teaching about chattel slavery during this time. As one of my Antiracism 101 high school students stated, “Black people are not the awful thing that was

Hard Truths Heal by Anthoney bittner

Hard Truths Heal

Anthony Bittner   •   January 31, 2023 When I think about the phrase, “racial healing,” I have to admit that my brain instinctively goes to a dark place.  I find it hard to acknowledge there’s much healing at all when racism, antisemitism, and hate in general seem to be running rampant from coast to coast.  It sometimes feels like we’re

America to Me

America to Me

 Afrika Afeni Mills •   January 26, 2023 A few years ago, I facilitated a discussion group about the America to Me docu-series, and in preparation for our first meeting, the group’s homework was to read Langston Hughes’ Let America Be America Again and answer the following question: What is America (actually, the United States to honor that there are several countries

Lunar New Year: Planting Seeds That Blossom into Racial Healing

Lunar New Year: Planting Seeds That Blossom into Racial Healing

Laura Marti – January 24, 2023 Feature image: freepik  Happy Lunar New Year 2023‼️  Growing up in Akron, Ohio in the 70s, I knew next to nothing about Asian culture. My first exposure was going to a Chinese restaurant with my grandmother as a child. She took me to one particular restaurant because she worked in a doctor’s office for a

Racial Healing – My First Steps

Racial Healing – My First Steps

Dan Berry – January 19, 2023 Growing up in Iowa and living in a small, rural white community, race had never entered my mind.  I guess when you are born into whiteness, race is something that belongs to everyone else but you.   The irony of my story is that for most of my life, I didn’t realize that my mom

National Day of Racial Healing

National Day of Racial Healing

What IS Racial Healing? Lucretia Berry  •   January 17, 2023 “THIS is what healing looks like,” Spirit whispered. Instead of fighting sickness, healing is intentional love and support lavished upon the burdened parts of my body that have become weak, bruised, and depleted. The daily hours, the focused care, and months of commitment taught me that healing asks for a significant investment –

I Have to See Color in Order to Embody the Dream

I Have to See Color in Order to Embody the Dream

Tracey McKee – January 12, 2023 As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday this month, we are reminded of his urgent desire to see a great racial healing in our country.  He bravely spoke of a day when we would move past the racial divide and embrace one another as brothers and sisters regardless of skin color. For

Housing Needs Assessment Tool Helps Provide Local Housing Solutions

Housing Needs Assessment Tool Helps Provide Local Housing Solutions

Dr. Gerardo Marti – January 10, 2023 The Housing Needs Assessment tool is a valuable resource for those working in the housing and community development fields. Created in partnership with PolicyMap, this tool provides detailed reports for every US Census jurisdiction in the country, and so allows users to analyze and assess the housing needs of their communities, providing important