Judy Blair
I think a lot about humanity. Not in a “human race” kind of way but in a “what it means to be human” way. Being human means being flawed. Being human means doing the best with what we have in the moment. Being human means allowing ourselves and others to be who they are at […]
In order to practice antiracism, we have to continually shift our focus from the micro to the macro and back again through four levels of racial oppression: internalized, interpersonal, institutional, and systemic. As a race-based caucus facilitator and one-on-one antiracism coach, I am constantly thinking about those different levels and how to guide people to […]
Race-based caucusing is an incredibly helpful tool, but it can be a tricky space for leadership to navigate. Having executive staff in the room while other employees discuss issues they experience in their workplace can lead to a reluctance to speak frankly. For this reason, I believe one on one antiracism coaching for upper-level management […]
What does it mean to be white and to be paid to do racial justice work? What are the ethics of me, a white person, making money off racial oppression? I struggled with these questions a lot once I decided to try to make antiracism facilitation my career. I had been doing this work as […]
This article is part of a series about race-based caucusing. If you’re new to the idea, please take a look at Internal Race-Based Caucusing: Why do it? and Race-Based Caucusing Part 2: Risky Business. How do you know when it’s time to hire outside help for your caucus sessions? My answer to this question is […]
Diversity. Inclusion. Equity. We see these terms used all over the place, but what do they really mean? What’s the difference between them? The following is an attempt to give a little clarity and help us all understand each other a little better. Let’s start with Diversity. Institutions that are at the beginning of their […]
What benefits does race-based caucusing provide to an organization? What risks is an organization taking when it decides to pursue caucusing? In a previous article I outlined some basic information about race-based caucusing and a few best practices. Today I want to talk about the risks and benefits of this particular tool. Caucusing can feel […]
In August 2018, I filmed the following video with Dr Cheryl Ingram of Diverse City LLC as part of their ongoing video learning series.
We don’t like to be wrong. Being wrong in our society means losing face, being diminished in the eyes of others. But being wrong, and being open to that possibility, allows us to grow. Making mistakes is often okay in educational environments where we are encouraged to try new things; why doesn’t that value transfer […]
Racial equity is work. Individuals can’t do it without building community inside and outside of their organization. Race-based caucuses or affinity groups, in the context of a larger racial equity framework, constitute a vital way of fostering those connections. Caucusing provides a circle of accountability and an enclosed space that encourages risks and authenticity. Ideally, […]
Judy Blair 