Race Talk Workshop
This training aims to introduce KU School of Medicine faculty participants to a framework for facilitating conversations on race and racism in medicine.
Race Talk is a dialogue or conversation involving topics of race, racism, “whiteness,” privilege, dominant culture and structural competency. Such dialogue can be emotional and reveal differences in worldviews which, if not handled well, can harm relationships. Rather than avoid these discussions, this workshop provides skills to improve communication and create a safe learning environment for all present when these issues arise. This training was developed for KU School of Medicine by Dr. Jessica Isom and Dr. Myra Mathis (Vision for Equity, LLC).
This initiative has been determined to qualify for designation as quality improvement through KU Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Want to participate?
Information Needed for Sign Up
Have Outlook calendar up to date. Decide participation type, individual or group. If you select a group, be prepared to list the interested group participants’ first and last names with emails. Choose a preferred timeframe:
| Session Options | Time Commitment |
|---|---|
| 1 Session | 4 Consecutive Hours |
| 4 Sessions | 6 Hours Total (Each 1 Hour 30 Minutes) |
The Faculty Development team will work hard to coordinate schedules for the preferred timeframe selected. This is a two-step process that involves coordinating schedules for facilitators and participants. The Faculty Development team will obtain two trained Race Talk facilitators for your group. Then they will reach out to the facilitators for their best availability, based on an Outlook calendar busy search of the group's participants. Once the date and times are selected an Outlook calendar appointment will be sent to the group with meeting information.
To make the most of this workshop please come with an open mind, respect for others, listen and be on time free of distractions. We are excited to grow and learn with you on this journey!
You self-signed up indicating you wanted to participate in the Race Talk Workshop. If you did not self-sign up, then your department likely sent an invite and you showed interest in joining. They signed you up along with others from your department.
This training aims to introduce KU School of Medicine faculty participants to a framework for facilitating conversations on race and racism in medicine.
The time commitment is about 4 to 6 hours.
Workshop Training
Depending on the session type selected the time commitment is 4 consecutive hours or 6 hours divided into 1 hour 30 minutes for all 4 sessions.
Optional (See Below)
- Quality Improvement (QI) Focus Group
- Quarterly Alumni Meet-Ups
A facilitator is a person who helps a group of people to work together better and understand their common objectives. Each group will be assigned two trained Race Talk facilitators.
Be an Active Listener
Being an active listener requires you to listen attentively by being engaged and providing both verbal and non-verbal cues. Active listening involves four stages: receiving, understanding, evaluating and responding.
Limit Distractions
Understandably, an email or notification may pop up from time to time, but you can limit these distractions by turning your notifications off or putting “do not disturb” on during the workshop.
Distractions may also arise if you don’t have a private workspace. If you’re working from home and don’t have your own office, you may want to set up a cozy corner from which you can attend the workshop more peacefully.
Be on Time
Being on time is arguably one of the easiest things you can do to be a better participant.
Share & Ask
Share what you feel comfortable sharing in this safe space. Asking questions is a great way to further your growth and learning.
Expect a safe place to share and ask questions. By the end of the session(s), you will be able to:
- Define essential terminology and distinguish common forms of racial socialization
- List at least three types of racial literacy
- Recognize the components of difficult conversations
- Apply the five-part facilitation toolbox to classroom case examples
Also, expect to take a survey at the beginning and end of the workshop.
You will be invited to participate in a QI focus group which aims to gauge the readiness of participants to engage in race talk and seek feedback on the impact of the Race Talk workshop. This 1-hour QI Focus Group happens 2 weeks after the workshop training. Two date options will be provided. Select the time and date that will work best for you.
This initiative has been determined to qualify for designation as quality improvement through KU Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Quarterly Alumni Meet-Ups
Once you are trained through the workshop, you will become an alumnus and will be invited to meet with past alumni. This 1-hour meeting with alumni will support you as we continue to use race talk skills and grow in skillful facilitation.
Articles
- Donald, C. A., DasGupta, S., Metzl, J. M., & Eckstrand, K. L. (2017). Queer Frontiers in Medicine: A Structural Competency Approach. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 92(3), 345–350. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000001533
- Gray, A. (2019). The Bias of ‘Professionalism’ Standards. Stanford Social Innovation Review. https://doi.org/10.48558/TDWC-4756
- Jones C. P. (2018). Toward the Science and Practice of Anti-Racism: Launching a National Campaign Against Racism. Ethnicity & disease, 28(Suppl 1), 231–234. https://doi.org/10.18865/ed.28.S1.231
- Kumagai, A. K., Jackson, B., & Razack, S. (2017). Cutting Close to the Bone: Student Trauma, Free Speech, and Institutional Responsibility in Medical Education. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 92(3), 318–323. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000001425
- Martinez-Cola, M. (2020). Collectors, Nightlights, and Allies, Oh My. Understanding and Dismantling Privilege, 10(1), 61-82. Retrieved from https://www.wpcjournal.com/article/view/20275
Books
- Kendi I. X. (2019). How to be an antiracist. Penguin Random House LLC, New York. ISBN: 9780525509288 Find It! @ KUMC
- Sue D. W. (2015). Race talk and the conspiracy of silence : understanding and facilitating difficult dialogues on race. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 9781119241980 Find It! @ KUMC
- Oluo I. (2018). So you want to talk about race (1 ed.). Seal Press : Hachette Book Group. ISBN: 9781580056779 Find It! @ KUMC
Podcasts
Antiracism in Medicine – The Clinical Problem Solvers (Online)
Our mission is to equip our listeners, at all levels of training, with the consciousness and tools to practice antiracism in their health professions careers.
May 30, 2022 Episode 17 - ‘Just’ Births: Reproductive Justice & Black/Indigenous Maternal Health Equity
The Praxis (Apple Podcasts)
This podcast aims to directly address and explore the effects of racism, and other forms of marginalization so that we can collectively achieve health justice. We will journey through history theory, science & medicine, by embracing storytelling, interviews and community expertise.
Feb 28, 2020 Episode - Expert perspectives on race in medical practice and education - Part 1
Websites
Resource Links at KUMC
Questions
For questions, please contact Administrative Assistant, Victoria Rosales.