The Groundwater Approach: Building a Practical Understanding of Structural Racism

[Lee Cruz]

“I deepened my understanding of inequity, which is a core responsibility of everyone as a human.” — past workshop attendee

Join us online April 12th The Groundwater Approach:nBuilding a Practical Understanding of Structural Racism Saturday, April 12, 2025 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  presented on Zoom You are invited to attend a virtual presentation of the Racial Equity Institute's workshop entitled "The Groundwater Approach."   The Community Foundation sponsors this offering, which takes place via Zoom. Your participation is at no cost to you so please join us and bring a friend or two.   The Groundwater Approach is a framework that helps us understand how racial inequities are embedded in our systems and institutions. How can we work together to address them? The workshop will provide data, stories and analysis that challenge assumptions and inspire action. The first step of action is personal and how it lands for you. Why would you consider participating in this workshop? Here are a few facts about our state that you may find as compelling reasons to participate: While Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states in the country, our Black and Latine residents experience higher rates of poor health because of the social determinants of health. Connecticut is fifth from the bottom of the list of all states concerning the wealth gap between whites and others. Connecticut has one of the highest achievement gaps between white students and students of color. Connecticut ranks high among the states in health disparities, especially for Black and Latine residents. In Connecticut, Black people constitute 11% of the state's residents and 41% of the incarcerated population. Insert hear an additional fact from your experience that you are welcome to share in the follow up discussion, a second, important optional meeting for discussion open to anyone who attends this presentation.   For more information on the above, please see Datahaven's Greater New Haven Community Wellbeing Index 2023, available on our website.    These are just some of the indicators that show how racism affects our communities and quality of life and/or affirm what you already know from personal experience with data. Attending this workshop will teach you more about the root causes of these inequities and how you can be part of the solution.   Register by clicking on "Register By" below. The Foundation covers the registration fee, and there is limited space.   We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.   Note: Workshop sessions are NOT recorded. This workshop fills up quickly, as registration is limited. Reserve your space today:

REGISTER BY APRIL 9

The Community Foundation, as part of its ongoing work to advance racial equity throughout the region, is offering The Groundwater Approach workshop.  The workshop is provided by the Racial Equity Institute, a national alliance of trainers, organizers and institutional leaders devoted to creating racially equitable organizations and systems.

From the Racial Equity Institute:   The Groundwater presentation is a three-hour introduction to racial equity. In this virtual presentation, organizers from the Racial Equity Institute will use stories and data to present a perspective that racism is fundamentally structural in nature. By examining characteristics of modern-day racial inequity, the presentation introduces participants to an analysis that many find immediately helpful and relevant.

“The fish, lake and groundwater analogy was very powerful. As a society the narrative is for us to believe the problem is the individual fish, so we focus on blaming the fish. It is because no one wants us to really see the systemic issues with the lake that these fish are swimming in, or the groundwater, where the real inequities are perpetuated. Racism is so embedded it becomes invisible — which harms all of the fish, no matter the color.”   — past workshop attendee