Minnesota racial-equity consultants are at the ready

Nine Minnesota organizations have teamed up to help build cultural competence in workplaces, schools and communities.

Racial Equity Minnesota bills itself as a first-of-its-kind network providing training and other services for  institutions that are looking to create a safe place to talk about race. An organization might call the network to better prepare its employees for a diverse workforce, or maybe it's wrestling with racism.

The network members can help clients convene leaders, deliver curriculum, provide trainings and performances, and establish dialogue.

Minnesota's racial disparities -- which are among the worst in the nation -- stem from an inability to talk about race, said Rowzat Shipchandler, one of the organizers behind the network and racial equity manager at Minnesota Philanthropy Partners.

"And if you're not talking about it, I'm not sure you can confront it," said Shipchandler.

The nonprofit coalition includes the following: Alexandria Inclusion Network, AMAZE, ASDIC Metamorphosis, Community Action Duluth, People's Institute North, Pillsbury House Theatre, Diversity Council-Rochester, Shared Vision of Bemidji, and YWCA of Minneapolis.

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