Across the Divide
In this IM Series, Across the Divide: Race matters in black and white, Executive Director Tonya Dawn Recla and her longtime friend and social justice advocate, Dondrell Swanson, join together to share their insights and experiences moving from racial tensions to reconciliation. Twenty-five years ago, this unlikely pair joined forces to combat a heated campus climate at Arizona State University. They, along with a representative group of other students, negotiated with the senior administration to create sustainable cultural changes for the university.
Their proposal and, ultimately, accomplished goals, included mandated intergroup relations training for all staff and faculty at ASU and the development of the Intergroup Relations Center, an autonomous entity that stood for eleven years and guided students, staff and faculty to a higher level of understanding personally and with others. Following the trajectory of that success story, they discuss how current racial matters are ripe for huge, systemic shifts in the collective consciousness and provide proof of scalable solutions.
Be sure to watch this powerful series about how Tonya and Dondrell took part in a miraculous experience that proved no one has all the answers, but when we come together, we can accomplish amazing things. This is a must-see for all who believe they are here to have an impact on the world.
The Series
Race matters in the United States and all over the world are heating up in ways that feel very familiar, but completely new at the same time. So many people are giving voice to the awareness that we’re seeing more individuals, groups, organizations and communities standing up and demanding solutions in very different ways than past movements. However, in the midst of all of it is still misunderstanding, lack of education, and spin that keeps most people wondering either, “What’s the big deal?” Or “How don’t you know?” In this series, you’ll:
- Learn the complexity of race relations matters and how to navigate through them with love and expansion.
- Hear tactics and tested models for creating sustainable solutions.