Thank you for participating in this year’s Challenge! Stay tuned for details about our 2021 Challenge.
About the 21-Day Challenge
The challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. This challenge was originally developed by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. and Debby Irving and has been adapted by many organizations across the country.
We want to thank YWCA Greater Cleveland for inspiring this challenge. They, in turn, were inspired by Food Solutions New England — they were the first to adapt an exercise from Dr. Moore and Irving’s book into the interactive 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, which they launched in 2014. They are now entering their sixth year of coordinating the Challenge with more than 3,000 participants
Participants will be prompted daily with challenges such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on personal experiences, and more. Participation in an activity like this helps us to discover how racial injustice and social injustice impact our community, connect with one another, and identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.
This is an exciting opportunity to dive deep into racial equity and social justice. We hope you’ll join us and accept this challenge. Our challenge starts on Monday, March 2, and continues weekdays through March 30.
On Day 1, you will receive an introductory email explaining the purpose of the challenge and your Challenge Reflection Log – a tool to ensure you are taking full advantage of what the challenge has to offer. Starting on March 1, expect to receive daily emails (Monday through Friday) containing your challenge prompts. Follow the conversation using #YWCAEquityChallenge and #ABetterWayABetterDAY.
Thank you to our Challenge ambassadors!
~Heather
About Stand Against Racism
Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. In 2020, it will be held April 23-26.
This campaign is one part of our larger national strategy to fulfill our mission of eliminating racism. Founded by YWCA Trenton and YWCA Princeton in 2007, Stand Against Racism quickly grew to a national presence by 2010, when an additional 80 YWCAs across the nation participated. In 2019, over 470 Stand Against Racism events were held nationwide, in nearly every state. Participants included over 180 YWCAs, as well as state and local governments, schools, nonprofit organizations, various companies and small businesses, houses of worship, and more.
21 Day Challenge FAQ
YWCA Dayton is hosting the 21 Day Challenge to further our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. We have been doing this work for 150 years. We aren’t new to this; we’re true to this!
Starting on March 2, expect to receive daily emails (on business days) at 6 a.m. containing your challenge prompts. (NOTE: You must sign up prior to 5:30 a.m. to receive that day’s Challenge email.)
Tell others you’re participating and engage with other participants in the challenge by sharing your reflections on social media using the hashtags #YWCAEquityChallenge and #ABetterWayABetterDAY. You can also join the 21-Day Challenge Facebook group.
We also encourage participants to send us their thoughts at advocacy@ywcadayton.org to share on our blog.
And, new this year, we’re hosting Monday Meetups every Monday in March, 5-6 p.m., at Fifth Street Brewpub (1600 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45403), to unpack Challenge themes, discuss prompts, etc.
First, check your SPAM folder(s) and do a keyword search of your inbox to make sure messages didn’t land in a hidden spot. Emails are sent FROM: YWCA Dayton <communications@ywcadayton.org> and the subject lines begin with the corresponding day of the Challenge (i.e., Day 1, Day 2, etc.).
Still looking? Contact us at communications@ywcadayton.org or 937-461-5550 x155 and we will help troubleshoot.
Yes! You can sign up at any point during the Challenge.
No, participating in the Challenge in 2019 is not a prerequisite for participating in 2020. New to the Challenge? Welcome. We think you will find it a transformative experience. Back for a second year? While you might recognize some of the themes from your first Challenge, the content is continually changing and being updated, so you’re sure to learn even more.