The Summer of 2020 as undoubtedly been one full of challenges, fear and hope. During this quarter over, as of 12/3/20, 14.2 million people have been diagnosed with COVID19. (Worst yet 278,918 have died (New York Times, 2020). Yet, it could not be clearer that to wear a mask or not has become politicized. On March 13, 2020 Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old African-American woman, was fatally shot in her Louisville, Kentucky, apartment, when white plainclothes officers Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) carried out a search warrant. According to the Washington Post, 2020 1020 people have been shot and killed over the past year. These shootings, the deaths and infection rates of COVID 19, amongst people of color, the presidential election and the politicizing of wearing a mask have polarized the racial divide in the United States and abroad. As tensions rose, so did the need to have productive non-circular conversations around race, equity and healing. As a result, Coming Together for Racial Understanding Train the Trainer was held. Fifty-three University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University Faculty and Staff were trained in facilitating Coming Together for Racial Understanding. The sessions were led by Kentucky State University Area Agent III, Carla Jordan along with the University of KY Family & Consumer Sciences Agent Tamera Thomas and Assistant Dean for Diversity, Dr. Antomia Farrell. This 6-session curriculum was taught in 6 hour and a half lessons beginning Sept 3, 2020 and ending on October 28, 2020. Participants learned to facilitate racial conversations by learning skills such as:

• identifying common languages, 
• learning about various types of discrimination, 
• racism and oppression, 
• moving from debate to dialogue,
• applying empathy to engage conversations and gain a new perspective, 
• understand the effects of trauma on brain development,
• identifying targeted & Non-Targeted Groups, 
• defining white privilege through Making Whiteness Visible, 
• Self-Care
• Everyday Democracy and more

Most participants agreed that they gained new knowledge and felt more comfortable in using these skills to address racism and bias beginning with themselves. Particularly, they will check for bias in how they engage students, determine and devise policies and how they will behave moving forward. Many commented that are now able to identify they various types of racism and bias. Many are looking forward to continuing the conversations within their organization so they can implement change in their workplaces, families and communities. When asked” What do you see as the overall strengths of this training program?” Some commented:

• It hits on a wide variety of issues related to the history of racial inequalities, misguided or misappropriated cultural stereotypes, and communication and facilitation skills. The trainers of this program were a huge asset. They helped make participants feel welcome, comfortable, and able to discuss difficult issues.
• This program really emphasized how to start a dialogue in your community and bring different members of the community together to help fix issues.
• The activities and safe space provided opportunity for reflection and growth and feeling connected with a group of people.
• How it brought together all kinds of different folks in a unified effort
• The room and opportunity to discuss racial issues that present in many ways through multiple modalities. The practical exercises that engaged participants in honest dialogue concerning real existing issues. The ease of the trainers that welcomed honest reflection.
• Facilitators created a safe place for all to participate. The discussion questions were thought provoking and often took outside of my comfort zone -which, I think, fosters growth.
• It hits on a wide variety of issues related to the history of racial inequalities, misguided or misappropriated cultural stereotypes, and communication and facilitation skills. The trainers of this program were a huge asset. They helped make participants feel welcome, comfortable, and able to discuss difficult issues.
• This program really emphasized how to start a dialogue in your community and bring different members of the community together to help fix issues.
• The activities and safe space provided opportunity for reflection and growth and feeling connected with a group of people.
• How it brought together all kinds of different folks in a unified effort
• The room and opportunity to discuss racial issues that present in many ways through multiple modalities. The practical exercises that engaged participants in honest dialogue concerning real existing issues. The ease of the trainers that welcomed honest reflection.
• Facilitators created a safe place for all to participate. The discussion questions were thought provoking and often took outside of my comfort zone -which, I think, fosters growth.

Other comments included:

Great program - very happy to have been exposed to it and I enjoyed participating in all of the discussions

• Carla- …wanted to thank you for your thoughtful and inspiring leadership through the Coming Together training with FCS Extension. I found it incredibly valuable during the times I was able to log on. Thank you for doing such hard work. I want to be sure you know that you are appreciated.  Thanks for all you do ~HN
• Carla, I just wanted to tell you that you are a phenomenal presenter! You have such a kind spirit and reassuring voice. You were able to lead us through challenging and difficult topics in a calm and reassuring way. I don’t know what your magic is, but you have it!!! Most Sincerely, ~KM

Resources:

New York Times. 2020. Coronavirus in the U.S.: Lates Map and Case Count. Retrieved from            https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html New 

York Times. 2020. What to Know About Breonna Taylor. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/article/breonna-taylor-police.html

Washington Post. 2020 Fatal Force. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/investigations/police-shootings-database/