Deconstructing Structural Racism: Examining History and Systems to Make Change

Presented by the Community Health Training Institute

Please Note: This training is for cohort members only. Learn more about the cohort.

Topics: Overview of the history of race-based inequities and the systems that perpetuate them, cultural competency skill building, and tools for addressing inequities in the community

To understand why health disparities exist today, we need to acknowledge and examine the history and systems in place that have created and perpetuated cumulative, persistent, race-based inequities. This training will provide a broad, historical context of current health disparities from housing policy and unfair mortgage lending to incarceration rates, and poorly resourced schools and its connection to structural racism. Participants will also have an opportunity to build skills and a common language to address inequities in their communities and organizations. This training will also discuss how to recognize the privilege that privileged identities hold and use that understanding to empower others and make connections across difference.

Audience: Individuals or teams working towards community health who may be new to discussing power and racial dynamics in the context of their community work.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Define structural racism and the systems that perpetuate it.
2. Identify strategies for collaborative work when working across differences.

Trainers: Mo Barbosa (HRiA) and Lori Lobenstine (Design Studio for Social Intervention)

This training addresses the following MA DPH Coalition Criteria:

1. Consistency with MA DPH’s goals and priorities
2. Participation from key stakeholders (individuals and organizations that have a vested stake or interest in a program or policy initiative, e.g. it will impact them directly)
3. Membership that is reflective of the community
4. Shared vision including a focus on reducing health disparities and promoting health equity