Exploring Racism Groups

Throughout my life I have focused on having high regard for equality. I can cite numerous examples where I worked to provide equal opportunity. As a result of the ERG Group training, I began to see that my viewpoint itself was biased, and I have changed my life to pursue the topic more deeply.

The Exploring Racism Group program was transformational for me. As a result of doing the program, I became passionately committed to doing my part to ending racism. You might think “what can one person do?” The answer is: If each person in any kind of management or leadership position in this country does their small part, racism will end. Ending racism is a top priority for leaders who have a heart. And the ERG program is the best way to make that happen, because it is time efficient (a few hours a month) and leaves you with an action plan that you can execute to do your part.

The ERG program is a gift to our community. Our group discussions are a safe place to be vulnerable, allowing us to explore how much our own perspectives can interfere with our ability to make a difference. ERG has helped me craft a pathway to participate more deliberately and actively in conversations about racism. If you desire an opportunity to explore, in depth, your relationship to the racism problem in this world, I can think of no finer venue. Thank you to all of the volunteers who have made this resource available.

Participating in the Exploring Racism Group as part of the first cohort profoundly changed my life, making it fuller, richer, and more rewarding. The experience not only brought me immense joy but also led to lifelong friendships and the development of a thriving new business. This program is a true commitment to personal development, and if you fully immerce yourself, you will grow and find a deeper sense of self.

A professional mentor of mine had just finished the previous year’s ERG and called me to suggest I join the next cohort. He explained the monthly commitment for a full year which at first seemed like a lot, but he assured me it would be well worth my time to invest in this program. The biggest feature that allows for real open dialogue to flourish, is a common trust that nothing would get shared outside of our core group. Doing deep and thoughtful work in this setting is very empowering and after the first month, our group became very comfortable sharing ideas and beliefs - that they may not have done in any other part of their life. The structure of each month’s class is well thought out and gently moves you along a path of understanding through supplied articles, book excerpts, videos, and other race-related media which bring real-life references to the topics at hand. Trust me, the year goes quickly, and when you are done, you realize how much more you need to learn.

When a friend described ERG to me and encouraged me to join, I was happy to find a way to spend more time on a topic that had intrigued and bothered me for a while but also hesitant to bare my soul to strangers and also concerned to be able to commit the time to be a consistent participant. Looking back now after spending the last twelve months meeting with our group, I couldn’t be more pleased with what I’ve learned, what I’ve discovered about myself and what others in the group have shared. Racism in America is systemic, its centuries old and all of us need to invest time and energy to understand its origins and the structures within our society that support it’s existence if we have any hope of making change. I am certain that the readings, reflections and dialogue among my ERG group have expanded my understanding of this complex topic and prepared me to foster constructive conversations about racism, and to take positive steps to ward a better environment for all.

"As the only African American in my group, I did not know what to expect. I, however, really appreciated the environment, which was inviting, candid and sincere. I am glad that I learned things about American history that helped me resolve some meaningful questions I had. I also appreciated the opportunity to build relationships with people who want to participate in positive change."

"Learning to be uncomfortable.... this was the incredibly valuable lesson I learned as I went through this program with a group of individuals that provided a safe place to share one's experiences and admit to one's biases without judgement. In the process you learn a whole lot about yourself and how important it is to challenge your own beliefs. This is an experience that leaders cannot afford to forgo if they are committed to understanding themselves and others."

This course looks at the education and understanding of racism in a much different and very beneficial way. I learned so much and also realize how much more there is to learn -- and also to unlearn. This experience is a must for all leaders in our area and also for anyone that is interested in alleviating racism. Many thanks to Tom Mitchell and Frank Staropoli and their team.

“Engaging with leaders to reflect, challenge and process events around us was invaluable to me. The Exploring Racism Group setting provided a safe space to talk deeply about issues of race that are often left unsaid. ERG materials and subsequent discussions dug deep and the more you put into it, the more you get out of the experience. Wrestling with such personal, historic, systemic and institutional issues of race is long overdue and a critical path to move from wanting to do better to actually being part of the change for the better.”