Racial Equity Institute: Founder Dr. Wanda Legrand Remains Committed To Fighting Racism
Greensboro, NC – What is the Racial Equity Institute?
We are an alliance of trainers, organizers, and institutional leaders who have devoted ourselves to the work of creating racially equitable organizations and systems. ~ REI.
The Founder
Dr. Wanda Legrand, an inspiring and driven African American woman, is the Chief Operating Officer at Racial Equity Institute (REI) based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Also a founder of the Joyful Excellence Education group and graduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Legrand has been fighting to put an end to racism.
What is Racism?
Racism is a belief that different races possess distinct characteristics or qualities that distinguish inferiority or superiority over one another. Through generations of violence and oppression, individuals of color have suffered the detrimental effects of early United States institutions. Racism, a fierce, challenging force that has swept over countries, has destroyed families and altered the perceptions of individuals’ behavior and thinking. However, we are fighting back against this destruction; we are advocating for an end to racism with the help of one another. The Racial Equity Institute is just one of many organizations attempting to end generations of inhumane acts.
Approach and Goals
- Create structures to sustain the anti-racist work.
- Perform an analysis of racism and its cultural and historical roots.
- Assistance in assessing organizations to determine their progress on the journey to becoming anti-racist.
- Develop an anti-racist vision and a new plan for change.
- Coaching for traditional and emerging leadership in the principles and practices of anti-racism.
The Racial Equity Institute, headquartered in Greensboro, NC, is a Black-owned business comprised of a multiracial team of organizers and trainers committed to combating the systematic issues that oppress people of color. Spread across the United States, this institution designed itself to help individuals stray away from racism; whether due to ignorance, bigotry, or a lack of education, REI believes addressing racism can happen in an 18-month process.
Services and Workshops
The Racial Equity Institute has a variety of workshops created to help individuals understand racism in different ways; the workshops are divided into three phases.
Phase 1 is designed to develop the capacity of participants to better understand racism in its institutional and structural forms. Rather than this workshop focusing on bigotry and bias, it presents individuals with an understanding of historical and cultural analysis of racism.
Phase 2 helps leaders identify struggles and challenges in light of racial equity. Unlike Phase 1, which emphasized an analytical understanding of the development of racism, this phase focuses on understanding one’s own emotions. More importantly, during this phase, individuals practice looking at issues through an equity lens and develop a broader understanding of diversity and equality.
Moreover, Phase 3, the most important phase in learning how to combat racism, puts Phase 1 and 2 into real-life practice. REI works shoulder-to-shoulder with every individual to develop specific goals and plans to reach them; like a workout regime, the organization acts as personal trainers to combat racism.
Visionary Success and Partnerships
But does the Institute have any success? Is it working? Many individuals claim it is life-changing, motivational, and stirs an individual’s desires for change. Not only for adults but adolescents as well. John Heffernan, Principal from Central Park School for Children in Durham, NC, states, “partnership has empowered us…to raise the self-worth and dignity of our students, staff, and families.” Moreover, Judge Lou Trosch Jr, District Court Judge from Charlotte, NC, states, “we now have a common language and framework for examining both individual bias and institutional racism. This shared understanding has enabled us to move toward our goal of reducing racial disparities for children and families of color…”.
Not only has the institution inspired others from its work, but several other organizations have joined along in the fight to end racism. Places like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by Net Impact, Cone Leadership, and StepUp Ministry, have worked alongside REI to speak up against discrimination.
Most Recent Events
REI advocated against the January 6, 2021 insurrection against the Capital that allowed white supremacy to flourish. According to the Institute, it denounced these protestors’ actions of “sedition and insurrection” and denounced Mr. Trump as a “racist, xenophobic, and authoritarian leader.” Creating a powerful message, the REI sought to voice their concerns about the system of democracy that “dies in darkness.” To bring back democracy and the restoration of humanity, the Racial Equity Institute pledged to remain committed to its work to fight against the system of inequality.
Furthermore, on March 29, 2021, REI made a loud and bold statement that condemned the long history of discrimination and violence against Asians and Asian-Americans. Eight deaths, including six Asian women, were victims of a targeted shooting in North Georgia. As the families mourned their losses, REI rose to advocate against Asian Hate discrimination. The Institute continued to organize to undo racism at the structural roots.
For more information, please visit their website.