Is America Racist?

DreamHouse supports teens during the transition to adulthood by equipping them with comprehensive resources, education, and opportunities for future success. DreamHouse cofounder Candis White explains, “It is our vision that the impact of each event will reach beyond the young men in attendance and extend even further to their families, peers, and society.” DreamHouse enables and encourages young men to find their passion and believe in their innate potential, providing alternative paths and healthy coping mechanisms to disrupt cycles of violence.

EMBC Boot Camp works with individuals of all ages and backgrounds in Indianapolis’ northeast side neighborhoods offering holistic support for the entire community to combat gun violence and repair the social fabric. Pastor Darryl Webster, the founder of EMBC Boot Camp, explains, “We tell men that our job is to love you, lead you, and lift you through learning and teaching to create real-life change. We can’t help the hand you’re dealt, but we have to play.” EMBC Boot Camp empowers individuals to disrupt cycles of violence in their communities by cultivating relationships and encouraging boys and men to uncover their innate potential.

The EBTT bridges historical divides between police, justice-involved individuals, and members of the community through trainings and discussions rooted in the dignity of all involved. Conti believes in the untapped potential of incarcerated individuals, specifically men serving life sentences: “Those men are a very important social resource… Despite having very little chance to get out [of prison], they’re social workers and therapists, performing restorative justice and keeping the peace”. The EBTT bridges the divide between law enforcement and citizens by empowering them to work together to develop their own solutions to the problems plaguing the larger community.

JJALFC has a mission to offer opportunities for people of all races to come together to address race relations, racial injustices, and social disparities One strategic way that the JJALFOC addresses division in Chicago is through conversation-based events are that offered and designed to revitalize police and community relations, by providing a safe space for sharing personal experiences and asking questions in hopes of healing and reconciliation. JJALFOC empowers individuals to embrace openness, treat all with dignity, and challenge the limitations associated with lack of racial equity and racial division/prejudice.

Serve & Connect facilitates partnerships between police and the communities they serve to bridge longstanding divisions and identify shared goals. Through focused and sustained community engagement, they work with residents and local officers to promote safety and develop authentic relationships for mutual success. Community Outreach Coordinator Jue McLemore explains, “We want to shift the narrative around what ‘community policing’ means.” By creating safe and fun opportunities for officers and residents to build relationships, Serve & Connect reframes the role of police officers in communities with an emphasis on engagement rather than enforcement.