Equity is a journey, not a destination.

It’s a sentiment often voiced at United Way BCKR, where the journey toward becoming an anti-racist organization has lasted the better part of a decade and continues to be integral to our vision of a vibrant community where all people realize their full potential. The journey has involved constant growth, change and learning.

This fall, United Way invites the community to learn with us by taking the 21-Day Equity Challenge, beginning Oct. 19 and running through Nov. 16.

The recent release of the ALICE and Black Households Data clearly illustrates the racial inequities that are deeply rooted in our national, state, and local systems and institutions. During the 21-Day Equity Challenge, participants will learn more about those inequities and how they came to be. The self-guided learning journey will explore the history and impacts of racism in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo and the different ways that bias, prejudice, privilege, and oppression show up in our everyday lives.

The Challenge is simple and free. Participants commit to spending at least 10-15 minutes each day deepening their understanding of, and willingness to confront racism for 21 straight weekdays, with content delivered daily by email. The Challenge will raise awareness, change understanding, and provide ways to get involved.

“No matter where you are in your own personal racial equity journey, the Equity Challenge will be eye-opening,” said Claire Michael, chair of UWBCKR’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. “This is an amazing opportunity for us to learn together, to raise our collective understanding, and acquire the resources and tools that help us acknowledge our biases, confront racism and build more equitable and just communities.

What to expect during the 21-Day Equity Challenge

• For 21 days (excluding weekends), you’ll commit to deepening your understanding of and willingness to confront racism.
• During every morning of the challenge, you will receive an email prompt with readings, videos and/or podcasts. You are encouraged to take about 10 to 15 minutes each day with the material in the prompt. Feel free to choose the learning styles that work best for you.
• Explore this work on your own, with friends and family, or organization-wide. Click here to download our discussion guide and hold your own discussion group. Or, join United Way in discussion via Zoom on Oct 23rd and Nov. 6th . You can find access information here.
• Capture your daily reflections and actions using our activity log. Click here to download the log.
• Share your reflections and “aha” moments using the hashtag #miuwequitychallenge.
• You will receive an invitation to join our 21-Day Equity Challenge Facebook group so you can ask questions, or discuss the content with others in the community.
• Click here to register, and encourage your friends and family to take the challenge with you!

This Challenge was originally developed by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., Dr. Marguerite Penick-Parks and Debby Irving and has been adapted by Food Solutions New England. The Michigan Association of United Ways has further adapted the content with the support of leaders across our Michigan United Way network. A special thank you to the United Way of Washtenaw County for their leadership and guidance.