DAYTON — In response to the death of George Floyd, YWCA in Dayton will soon be welcoming thousands of people to take part in the ’21-day racial equity and social justice challenge.'
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A YWCA employee told News Center 7′s Ronnell Hunt they typically host the 21-day challenge once a year-but as racial tension continues nationwide including here in the Miami Valley, they want to give more opportunity for people to learn how to embrace diversity.
YWCA Dayton says its adopting the idea of the ’21 Day Equity and Social Justice Challenge’ from its Cleveland location. The challenge was originally developed by Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. and Debby Irving in 2014 and has been adapted by many organizations across the country.
"The 21 Day Challenge is a really unique tool because it allows people to kind of access it in their own homes, with their own laptops kind of walking through this work." said Sarah Wolf-Knight, YWCA Dayton Grant and Advocacy Manager.
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Knight says the work is to build more effective social justice habits, focusing on those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership which she feels can sometime be a sensitive issue.
"Which can be really personal and difficult so it gives people the space to do that in a way that feels private, but also the support to engage." Knight said.
Participants will be prompted with daily challenges like reading an article, listening to a podcast and reflecting on personal experiences. While doing so, participants can connect with others virtually, and identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.
"We have discussion groups that'll be running, Facebook groups, we have reflection logs."
In just a year - participation numbers have doubled for the challenge. Knight believes the program is living proof that it's never too late to learn in order to better your community
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"The one thing that we really want everyone to take away of the 21-Day Challenge is that we are all always learning." said Knight. “No matter how educated you feel you are about anti-racism and racial justice, you can never have enough resources.”
Summer 2020 edition of the challenge starts on Friday June 19 and continues daily through July 9.
To sign up head to https://www.ywcadayton.org/news-events/signature-events/stand-against-racism/
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