The second annual Day of Collective Action, set for Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, will extend a campus focus during Black History Month of addressing anti-Blackness and racism on campus. The Anti-Racism Committee and the Black Cultural Center are sponsoring several sessions that explore the Black experience at the University of Utah, including: 

• Constructing an Anti-Racism Statement for your office or department: This session will outline how to develop an antiracism statement and, time permitting, allow participants to start a draft.

• Meet & Greet to Learn More about the #MeAndWhite Supremacy28-Day Challenge: 

Layla Saad’s book “Me & White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor” offers a chance for readers to explore how white supremacy influences our daily lives. At the event, Librarian Allyson Mower will show attendees how to access the library’s eBook and talk about their interest in participating in a book discussion after the 28-day challenge ends on March 8, 2023. 

• Creating Black at the U: This will be a collaborative discussion involving Black undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty focused on what Black culture looks and can look like at the U.

• The Black Experience at Both Ends of the Spectrum: From Medical Neglect to Racial Violence. A Personal Talk: The purpose of this presentation is to raise awareness and knowledge about the impact of lesser-known diseases that have a direct impact on the cardio health of Black Americans and Black populations. One of them is hereditary amyloidosis. Laurence Parker, a professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy, and Jill Waldron, chief RN of the amyloidosis cardio team at the Huntsman/U of Utah hospital, will lead a discussion through Laurence’s personal story of medical racial neglect and how the U’s cardio hospital doctors, nurses and staff are trying to address this issue.

• Connecting Practices to Strategic Metrics and Outcomes: Although assessment initiatives for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) can provide administrators with valuable insights for strategic decision-making, too often, they are met with inaction or obscurity that hinders meaningful and timely work from getting done. This session provides attendees with steps to intentionally connect practices and actions with metrics/outcomes data related to EDI work.

• Developing an Anti-Racism Plan: Now is the time to reflect deeply, examine your organization and draw up a plan to build a more inclusive, equitable and anti-racist university.  

These are only a few sessions that highlight a focus on anti-racism and the Black experience. To view the full schedule, visit the Day of Collective Action webpage.