YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is launching a brand new 21 Days of Anti-Racism Challenge next month to build community around racial justice and equity issues. The 21 Day Challenge, presented by leading building products manufacturer LP Building Solutions, is designed to create dedicated time and space to develop more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, and privilege.
The 21 Day Challenge registration is now open. The initiative will begin on April 1. Visit <www.ywcanashville.com/challenge> to sign up for the 21 Day Challenge.
“YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee’s mission is eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all,” said Sharon K. Roberson, president/CEO of the 124-year-old organization. “Now more than ever, it is crucial that we continue our racial and social justice pledge. We invite the community to stand with YWCA against racism and discrimination of any kind and join us for this new 21 Day Challenge, because there’s always more to learn.”
Beginning on April 1, participants will be sent a daily e-mail and be presented with challenges on four topics: Understanding Critical Race Theory, Living Wage, Representation in Film & TV, and Women’s Health. Challenge-takers will be prompted to read an article, listen to a podcast, reflect on personal experience and more. Participation in the project is intended to help individuals discover the origins of racial and social injustices that continue to impact our community today. YWCA will host the annual Stand Against Racism community rally in downtown Nashville during the last week of The Challenge.
LP Building Solutions is the presenting sponsor for the event. The Nashville-based company took part in previous Challenges and was inspired to do more.
“At LP Building Solutions, we believe fairness, mutual respect, and equal treatment for all must be the core of our culture, so every employee feels welcomed and heard,” said Senior Vice President, Chief HR and Transformation Officer Robin Everhart. “Many of our employees, including our full executive team, participated in the last YWCA 21 Day Challenge, which we found educational and inspiring. It is our honor to support the program this year as one small way we are able to take meaningful steps for progress and change.”
Jackson National Life Insurance Company signed on again this year as Peace Sponsor for the 21 Day Challenge. Organizations interested in sponsoring this project should contact Shannon Lapsley via email.
The 21 Day Challenge was originally developed by noted scholars, Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. and Debby Irving.
“We want to thank Food Solutions New England for inspiring this project and adapting an exercise from Dr. Moore and Irving’s book into the interactive 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge, which they launched in 2014,” said Roberson. “We also want to thank YWCA Greater Cleveland for generously allowing us to adapt their initiative for our local association.”
