United Way, YWCAs Launch 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge

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United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) is teaming up with the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester and YWCA Yonkers to launch the 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge for Westchester and the lower Hudson Valley. The Challenge, which is part of a national movement to engage communities in anti-racist work, will begin on Monday, March 1, and continues (Monday–Friday) through Monday, March 29. The Business Council of Westchester is a sponsor of the program.

“Eliminating racism has always been part of the YWCA’s mission: we’re not new to this but we are true to this. The 21-Day Challenge addresses personal, institutional, and structural racism and will help individuals identify actions they could take to address racism,” said YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester’s CEO Maria Imperial.

The 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge is a 21-day learning and self-discovery journey that aims to help develop more effective social justice habits around issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. There is no cost to participate in the self-guided Challenge; community members may register in advance at WestchesterEquityChallenge.org.

“Taking part in the 21-Day Equity Challenge helps participants discover how racial inequity and social injustice impact our community,” said Tom Gabriel, president and CEO of UWWP.  “We are proud to partner with the YWCAs in encouraging our community to examine how structural racism and bias impact each of our lives, especially in the areas of education, health, and financial stability.”

Participants receive a daily email/text directing them to 3-4 curated activities such as: reading an article, listening to a podcast, watching a video, or reflecting on their own experiences. Each day’s content focuses on a different topic, and participants are encouraged to reflect on the information through a daily journal and discussion guide.

At the end of the Challenge, a virtual reflection event will be held from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on March 29, 2021, with facilitator Tirza Barnes-Griffith, a trainer specialized in DEI, unconscious racial bias, and its effects.