Eliminating Racism
412 Elizabeth St. Charleston, WV 25311
Center Phone: 304.952.1351
Center Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or By Appointment
Shanté Ellis
Program Director
The YWCA Charleston's Racial Equity & Inclusion (REI) program is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in West Virginia, where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered. The REI program is designed to create a culture that celebrates differences, ensures fairness, and promotes collaboration among all members of the West Virginia community.
By embracing diversity, striving for equity, and fostering inclusion, we can collectively create conditions where all individuals can thrive and contribute their best.
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West Virginia has a long history of racial and ethnic diversity. Today, the state is home to people of many ethnic backgrounds, including a large African American population.
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The YWCA Charleston has been working to promote racial equity and inclusion in West Virginia for many years. The REI program is one of the organization's most important initiatives.
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The REI program offers services; including education and training, advocacy, and community development.
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Our REI Center is committed to working with individuals and organizations from all walks of life to create a more just and equitable West Virginia.
Anti-Racist Facilitated Sessions
Exploring Implicit Bias in the Workplace Session
This session aids you in taking the first step in building an inclusive work culture. This discussion starts with understanding Implicit Bias and introduces actionable ways to become an ally.
Unpacking Hidden Prejudice Session
This 2-hour workshop provides a better understanding of race-related concepts in hopes of breaking down racial bias barriers.
Participants will be able to:
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Define common vocabulary that promotes dialogue around equity and inclusion.
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Develop an awareness of the levels of racism.
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Identify historical and current examples of the levels of racism.
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Understand how the past impacts the present and why knowledge of the past can change the future.
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Identify ways to become an ally personally and professionally.
Meaningful Allyship Session
This session helps participants recognize what specific actions they can take to show up as allies. Through individual explorations and group discussions, participants develop a shared understanding of allyship and prepare to take action in ways that center impact.
Understanding Privilege Session
In this session, participants will explore the concept of privilege, how it shapes societal cultures that are oppressive to people with marginalized identities, and develop an awareness of the privileges & and discriminations of different social groups & and identities - all to improve personal growth.
Acting with Intent Session
This session utilizes moving stories from the film: Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity, we lead into group discussion and open dialogue about personal encounters and discuss possible ways we could have handled situations differently or hoped for different outcomes.
Understanding bias is the first step to managing it. Our sessions explore the deep-rooted history of bias, provide actionable ways to become an ally, bring forth an understanding of privilege, and encourage learners to use what they’ve learned to reduce the negative effects of bias.
These sessions are taken individually or as a four-part series.
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Celebrate Heritage
Share the culture of our community through these inspiring videos. Join us as we celebrate all heritages and witness firsthand; the passion, talent, and pride of our community residents.
文化慶典
彈出式編程和通訊程序，使社區參與學習和慶祝不同的種族，族裔和宗教（例如黑人歷史月，西班牙文化遺產月等）。
文化慶典
彈出式編程和通訊程序，使社區參與學習和慶祝不同的種族，族裔和宗教（例如黑人歷史月，西班牙文化遺產月等）。
Read Aloud Series
Discover the power of storytelling through this read-aloud series. Explore the rich history of Black Americans; celebrate their contributions and learn about the incredible individuals who helped shape our society.
Race to End Racism
Join us for our Annual 5K Run and 1-Mile walk in Charleston's West Side to support our Racial Equity & Inclusion Program.
After the race, stick around for a cultural celebration filled with fun and festivities.
Your Racial Equity & Inclusion Center
The YWCA Charleston Center for Racial Equity and Inclusion is the first in Charleston, Kanawha County, and possibly the State of West Virginia.
This center strives to be a diverse, inclusive, and equitable place where people of all identities and backgrounds experience a sense of belonging. It will house the growing YWCA Charleston Racial Equity & Inclusion program, which aims to increase cultural education and empathy and empower leaders with the tools to advance positive social change across Kanawha, Boone, and Clay counties.
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Professional Development and Welcoming Communities
The YWCA Charleston’s Center for Racial Equity and Inclusion provides programming that creates safe and brave spaces where truth and storytelling, uncomfortable conversations, and healing can happen for all people, supporting racial equity and inclusion initiatives. Specific initiatives will raise awareness and develop actions via speakers, seminars, and anti-racist training on topics that introduce equitable and inclusive strategies for corporations, organizations, educational, political, and religious institutions at all levels for people at all levels.
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Programming for Adults and Children
The YWCA Charleston’s Center for Racial Equity & Inclusion will provide support structures to create an equitable sense of belonging for all children in the community. Children’s education will be supported through fun and engaging activities that include; hands-on art activities, read-aloud days, crafts, STEAM events, and more. Community members will have full access to our Center's library, featuring a wide range of books for adults and children that meet individuals where they are, support self-education, and promote healthy conversations around anti-racist topics.
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First-Rate Materials
To fully engage with the community, the YWCA Charleston’s Center for Racial Equity & Inclusion will collaborate with individuals and community partners that include but are not limited to, other anti-racist partners and initiatives, minority women business owners, and other local entities to meet all community members’ culturally-relevant needs provide resources and support, share information, and foster advocacy, regardless of race or level of anti-racist knowledge, towards achieving YWCA Charleston’s mission of “eliminating racism.”
Participant Testimonials
The YWCA Racial Equity and Inclusion programming has been made possible in part by a grant from UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc.