Anti-racism Transformation Team at Columbia

How might we develop a culture and practice of internal organizing so that we can transform an institution through the lens of anti-racism?

In 2021, I was selected to be part of the first Anti-racism Transformation Team at Columbia Columbia College Chicago. After our initial training, we launched our own self-directed strategic actions to initiate change. This was a personally transformational experience for me as well, collectively learning about systemic oppression from our facilitators at CROAR.

Columbia College Chicago recently created an Antiracism Transformation Team that is tasked with leading antiracism efforts on campus. Our mandate includes “the equitable redistribution of institutional power, establishing clear accountability protocols, recommending financial priorities, and equitable support of various constituents across the college”.

As a member of the team, I collaborated with 24 other students, staff, faculty, and administrators as we collectively develop antiracist strategy and action at the college. Our team was expertly guided by Joy Bailey and Derrick Dawson from Chicago Regional Organizing for Antiracism (CROAR).