On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, downtown Louisville’s Spalding University announced that it is launching an online training and professional development program in antiracism that is consistent with its mission of promoting peace and justice through education.“Restorative practices for the anti-racist journey” are a series of virtual courses that will teach concepts of cultural humility and restorative practices as a means to bring about social change. The national program is not limited to students, and according to organizers is for those who champion for equity and justice, and for those who seek to do more within themselves and in their communities. “It’s a way to connect with both professionals in the community and concerned, engaged citizens,” said program creator Shannon Cambron, of Spalding University’s School of Social Work. The program is designed and facilitated by faculty and staff who are among Louisville’s leading scholars on matters such as restorative practices and dialogue, and racial trauma and oppression. The educators come from various departments such as Spalding’s Center for Peace and Spiritual Renewal, School of Social Work, and School of Professional Psychology and Collective Care Center.Another one of the program creators is Chandra Irvin, who helped lead a project that helped the Charleston, South Carolina community heal after the tragic 2015 shooting of the nine Black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church. She is also Spalding’s executive director for Peace and Spiritual Renewal.“This is meaningful and constructive work to address and bring about healing in race relations,” said Irvin. “That level of skill-building and being able to facilitate is how we hope to really expand and change the cultural dynamic in our society.”Some of the courses will include open dialogue, self-exploration, and difficult discussions on cultural humility and the context of racism, but organizers say the truth-telling is imperative to the healing process and aims to spark participants to act. “My hope for 2021 is that we take advantage of this unique opportunity presented to us to do the heavy lifting of staring down authentic American History,” said Dr. Cambron. “If we’re not actively apart of a solution and by that solution, I mean creating spaces of equity, liberation and reparations, then we’re just sounding brass.”Louisville saw months of demonstrations in the name of racial injustice, including several that took place on or near Spalding University’s Campus. The Antiracist Journey is an example of Spalding meeting the needs of the times by using experience, wisdom and teaching skills to help promote a more equitable world. When participants complete the program, they’ll be awarded three tiers of certification badges by Spalding. The credentials can be shared on resumes or professional profiles and completed hours can be applied to continuing education requirements for social workers.Enrollment is now open, and the first live session is set to start on Jan. 29. Visit the university’s website to register.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, downtown Louisville’s Spalding University announced that it is launching an online training and professional development program in antiracism that is consistent with its mission of promoting peace and justice through education.
“Restorative practices for the anti-racist journey” are a series of virtual courses that will teach concepts of cultural humility and restorative practices as a means to bring about social change. The national program is not limited to students, and according to organizers is for those who champion for equity and justice, and for those who seek to do more within themselves and in their communities.
“It’s a way to connect with both professionals in the community and concerned, engaged citizens,” said program creator Shannon Cambron, of Spalding University’s School of Social Work.
The program is designed and facilitated by faculty and staff who are among Louisville’s leading scholars on matters such as restorative practices and dialogue, and racial trauma and oppression. The educators come from various departments such as Spalding’s Center for Peace and Spiritual Renewal, School of Social Work, and School of Professional Psychology and Collective Care Center.
Another one of the program creators is Chandra Irvin, who helped lead a project that helped the Charleston, South Carolina community heal after the tragic 2015 shooting of the nine Black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church. She is also Spalding’s executive director for Peace and Spiritual Renewal.
“This is meaningful and constructive work to address and bring about healing in race relations,” said Irvin. “That level of skill-building and being able to facilitate is how we hope to really expand and change the cultural dynamic in our society.”
Some of the courses will include open dialogue, self-exploration, and difficult discussions on cultural humility and the context of racism, but organizers say the truth-telling is imperative to the healing process and aims to spark participants to act.
“My hope for 2021 is that we take advantage of this unique opportunity presented to us to do the heavy lifting of staring down authentic American History,” said Dr. Cambron. “If we’re not actively apart of a solution and by that solution, I mean creating spaces of equity, liberation and reparations, then we’re just sounding brass.”
Louisville saw months of demonstrations in the name of racial injustice, including several that took place on or near Spalding University’s Campus. The Antiracist Journey is an example of Spalding meeting the needs of the times by using experience, wisdom and teaching skills to help promote a more equitable world.
When participants complete the program, they’ll be awarded three tiers of certification badges by Spalding. The credentials can be shared on resumes or professional profiles and completed hours can be applied to continuing education requirements for social workers.
