Fishers citizens encouraged to take part in ‘Interrupting Racism Now’ program

Submitted by the City of Fishers

Fadness

Last week, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness unveiled a call to action for Fishers residents to begin a series of efforts to dismantle racism in the Fishers community. As its first priority, the City has committed to sponsoring 500 residents to undergo Interrupting Racism Now training by the end of 2020. Click here to read the full announcement.

Register Today

Change the conversation around race by attending this free one- or two-day training brought to you by the City of Fishers. Learn more about these efforts at fishers.in.us/race.

What is Interrupting Racism Now training?

Interrupting Racism Now is a one- or two-day training by national equity firm, Soul Focused Group. Led by moderators Mahdi Davenport and Dustin Washington, the training addresses the realities of systemic racism in America, both historical and present-day.

What’s the difference between the one- and two-day sessions? 

The one-day class is a modified version of the full two-day session. You’ll learn the basic foundations of Interrupting Racism, but may not experience the immersive portions of the training.

What can I expect from the training?

The training will begin by educating the group on the origins of race and racism and how those decisions impact the systems and biases in place today. Throughout the session, the moderators will weave historical references with modern-day examples and personal experiences to help participants identify the role racism plays in their everyday lives.

Why is this a priority for Fishers? 

Understanding the historical context of racism and the systems that perpetuate the existence of racism, even if subconscious, is critical to having productive and effective relationships to mitigate racism’s impact on communities of color. In early 2019, Mayor Fadness identified equity and inclusion as a key area of focus for his administration. As community members began participating in discussion groups and planning sessions, it became clear that race relations and disparities are the highest priority for Fishers to address. Interrupting Racism creates the foundation necessary to take action in a systemic and impactful manner.