YWCA NASHVILLE & MIDDLE TENNESSEE TO LAUNCH 21-DAY RACIAL EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE CHALLENGE

 NASHILLE, Tenn. – Feb. 18, 2021) - YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is launching its annual 21 Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge on March 1, 2021 as part of a national movement to engage communities in anti-racist work. The Challenge coincides with Women’s History Month and will focus on four main topics: gender-based violence, environmental racism, sports, and racial healing. Registration is open and can be found on YWCA’s website.“Our mission is a bold one: to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all,” said Sharon K. Roberson, President and CEO of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. “We urge everyone who is thirsty for more knowledge to sign up and join to learn about social and racial injustice and those working to undo institutionalized discriminatory systems. There's a role for every single person in our society as we build for a bright, inclusive future for all.”Participants in The Challenge will receive a daily email directing them to three or more curated activities such as watching a video, reading an article, or listening to a podcast. Each activity is designed to foster greater understanding and awareness and challenge participants to confront their own understandings and to work towards the advancement of racial and gender equity.Taking part in an activity like this helps participants discover how racial inequity and social injustice impact our community, connect with others and identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. The challenge will begin on Monday, March 1 and continue (Monday – Friday) through Monday, March 29. YWCA is pleased to have Jackson National Life Insurance Company sign on as our Peace Sponsor for the second year in a row.Last summer, more than 2,500 individuals from nearly 550 different zip codes across Tennessee and the country took YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee’s 21 Day Challenge.  The original challenge was inspired by Food Solutions New England. The nonprofit adapted an exercise from Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. and Debby Irving’s book into the interactive 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge. The challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits and bring awareness to issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. We are grateful to YWCA Greater Cleveland for curating and sharing their content with us as we adapted the Challenge for our community’s needs. Register TODAY on our website. About YWCA Nashville & Middle TennesseeFor 123 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has helped women, girls and families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee build safer, more self-sufficient lives. YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Programs include Domestic Violence Services, Girls Inc., AMEND Together, Social Justice & Advocacy, Dress for Success and the Family Learning Center. For more information, visit https://ywcanashville.com, follow us on twitter @YWCANashville, Instagram @YWCANashvile and find us on Facebook at facebook.com/YWCANashville.If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, call the 24-hour Crisis & Support Helpline – 800-334-4628 or 24-hour Textline 615-983-5170.

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