An Opportunity to Learn
The Racial Justice Challenge helps raise awareness of systemic racism and teaches us how we can advance justice. The Challenge fosters personal reflection, encourages social responsibility, and motivates participants to identify and act on ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.
Take the 2024 Challenge
This year, we will focus the 10-Day Challenge on 4 main topics: Bodily Autonomy, Financial Empowerment, Gun Violence, and Transportation. Join us!
Challenge Details
- What: A learning series sent via email to your inbox over the course of 10 standard work days (Sept 9-20). Each daily topic will help you better understand an issue impacting our community.
- When: Daily Sept 9-13 & Sept 16-20
- Where: New content will be released each morning via email to registered participants.
- Why: Increasing our individual and collective awareness and ability to have conversations about inequities increases our likelihood to do something about them.
- Who: The Challenge is for anyone who wants to create a more equitable world for all.
Sign up Today
Register for the Challenge
This series helps community members, organizations, and businesses dedicate time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly around issues dealing with race, power, privilege, and leadership.
Make the most of this experience.
What to Expect
Each weekday you’ll receive access to articles, videos, and podcasts that dive into each of our Challenge topics.
Consider dedicating 15-60 minutes a day to digest the Challenge content. Afterward, we suggest you hold time to reflect and discuss these topics with friends, family, and colleagues.
Taking the Challenge How Your Business Would Benefit
The role businesses and corporations play in promoting racial equity and social justice has never been more critical. These sectors have a unique opportunity and responsibility to give back to their communities by deepening their knowledge of racial and social justice issues.
The Racial Justice Challenge beckons these organizations to step forward as advocates for real change. Participating in this challenge demonstrates an alignment with corporate values, benefits the workforce, and contributes to a more equitable Spokane.
Previous Challenges Released
Embark on a transformative journey where the powerful intersection of disability, housing, mental health, and music takes center stage. As we delve into racial equity and justice, we illuminate the interconnected narratives shaping our communities. Discover how accessible housing is a cornerstone of inclusivity, mental health finds its voice through the rhythm of music, and individuals with disabilities become agents of change. Through engaging resources and meaningful discussions, we unpack the layers of this intersectionality, fostering a deeper understanding of how these elements coalesce to create a more just world.
- Day 1: Disability Concept & Identity
- Day 2: Ableism & Disability Rights
- Day 3: Housing Justice
- Day 4: Housing is a Multi-Issue Solution
- Day 5: Week 1 Wrap-Up
- Day 6: Mental Health Equity
- Day 7: Mental Health Disparities
- Day 8: Racism in the Music Industry
- Day 9: Music Education Access
- Day 10: Week 2 Wrap-Up
In the 2022 Challenge, a spectrum of critical issues converge to explore a more just and inclusive world. Participants explore interconnected topics, including closing the racial and gender wealth gap, advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ representation in media, grappling with colorism, and challenging Islamophobia in TV and film. The challenge takes a closer at critical social issues, such as period poverty, comprehensive sex education, and abortion restrictions. By engaging in curated resources and personal reflection, this challenge is a call to action, encouraging all to become advocates for equity and justice.
- Day 1: What is Critical Race Theory
- Day 2: Racism in School Curriculum
- Day 3: Teaching the Next Generation
- Day 4: Legislative Backlash to Critical Race Theory
- Day 5: Truth and Healing
- Day 6: What is a Living Wage?
- Day 7: Minimum Wage
- Day 8: The Racist History of Tipping
- Day 9: Closing the Racial Gender Wealth Gap
- Day 10: Organizational Values
- Day 11: Racism and the Origins of Film
- Day 12: LGBTQ+ Representation
- Day 13: Islamophobia in TV and Film
- Day 14: Colorism
- Day 15: The Power of Representation
- Day 16: Period Poverty
- Day 17: Sex Education
- Day 18: The Impact of Abortion Restrictions
- Day 19: Domestic Violence and Reproductive Rights
- Day 20: Reproductive Justice and Systemic Racism
- Day 21: Challenge Wrap Up
Set out on an exploration of social identities and systems of oppression through the 2021 Challenge. It dives into the intricate interplay of various levels of oppression, hate crimes, domestic violence, wealth gaps, and homelessness, shedding light on the complexities that shape our communities. Participants unpack the action of reparations, confront implicit bias, privilege, and whiteness, and foster an anti-racist mindset. We hope this empowers you to dismantle barriers, question systemic injustices, and cultivate a more equitable and inclusive community for everyone.
- Day 1: Social Identities & Systems of Oppression
- Day 2: Historical Foundations of Race
- Day 3: Levels of Oppression
- Day 4: Hate Crimes
- Day 5: Opportunity & Wealth Gaps
- Day 6: Domestic Violence
- Day 7: Homelessness
- Day 8: Healthcare
- Day 9: Working & Parenting in a Pandemic
- Day 10: Reparations
- Day 11: Privilege & Whiteness
- Day 12: Implicit Bias
- Day 13: Anti-Racism & Allyship
- Day 14: Raising Our Voices
The 2020 Challenge explores the nuances between equity and equality, and unravels the impact of microaggressions, stereotypes, and cultural appropriation on marginalized communities. Participants dive deeper into the intersectionality of race, gender, and identity, while also addressing the compounding effects of COVID-19 and combating xenophobia. The challenge also navigates the inequities embedded in the legal system, housing, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Engage in daily activities and curated resources that empower you to dismantle systemic barriers and foster a more just and inclusive community.
- Day 1: Anti-Racism vs. Non-Racism
- Day 2: Equity vs. Equality
- Day 3: Microaggressions
- Day 4: Stereotyping & Cultural Appropriation
- Day 5: Intersectionality
- Day 6: Understanding & Utilizing Privilege
- Day 7: Race & How It Is Covered In The Media
- Day 8: COVID, Xenophobia & Racism
- Day 9: Inequities In The Legal System
- Day 10: Housing Segregation
- Day 11: Domestic Violence & Racism
- Day 12: Education Disparities & the School To Prison Pipeline
- Day 13: The US Census & Voter Disparities
- Day 14: Call To Action
Acknowledgment
Special acknowledgement to Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. and Debbie Irving, creators of the original 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge that has inspired YWCAs from across the nation to create an annual learning challenge.