<![CDATA[Multicultural Symposium Series - MSS Blog]]>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:39:09 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Carole & Garth Speak In London]]>Sat, 05 Jul 2025 18:00:17 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/carole-garth-speak-in-london
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UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference 2025: A Bold Celebration of Resilience, Profit, and Power
From the heart of London’s financial district, a resounding message rang out on Wednesday, June 25, 2025: Black entrepreneurs are not asking for handouts — they are demanding recognition for the immense commercial power and cultural capital they already hold.

The fourth annual UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC), held at the NatWest Conference Centre in Bishopsgate, delivered a full day of inspiration, insight, and intentional celebration. Founded by visionary leader Dr. Carlton Brown and expertly moderated by renowned broadcaster Henry Bonsu, BBEC brought together 300 business owners, policymakers, creatives, and investors from across the UK and beyond. The sold-out event was a showcase of unapologetic truth-telling, trailblazing leadership, and visionary economic strategy.

Honoring the Past, Building the Future
The conference opened with powerful video tributes honoring Black pioneers and entrepreneurs who laid the groundwork for today’s thriving business community. These moving reels served as a reminder of the deep roots, resilience, and innovation that have long defined Black enterprise in Britain and across the African diaspora.

Throughout the day, speaker after speaker returned to a powerful theme: diversity is not just a moral imperative — it’s a business advantage. And Black entrepreneurs are proving it every day.

The Opening Keynote Speaker, Lord Dr. Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE, Independent Peer in The House of Lords, lifted up the late Jack Welch, Chairman and CEO of General Electric, as an example of embracing economic opportunities for the future.

A Transatlantic Connection
One of the day’s highlights came from Carole Copeland Thomas, a seasoned Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) expert from the United States. Speaking passionately about the intersection of business success and inclusive practices, she pointed to retail giant Costco as a prime example.

“They’re making money off it. And money and business are the reasons why diversity works,” she asserted. “If you are serving your customers, then you will be rewarded by productivity, profitability, etc.”

When moderator Henry Bonsu asked about the challenges facing Black entrepreneurs in the US under its current administration, Carole didn’t hesitate.
“Black people are resilient!!” she declared, prompting thunderous applause from the audience. Her words echoed a global truth — that despite adversity, Black business leaders continue to innovate, influence, and inspire.

Carole’s presence at BBEC symbolized the powerful global unity of the African diaspora. She was proud to represent voices from both sides of the Atlantic and stood in solidarity with her UK peers to advance economic justice and entrepreneurial equity.

Legal Insight and Partnership
Another standout moment came from Garth Dallas, a respected Liverpool-based lawyer and longtime advocate for Black economic empowerment. Garth’s practical advice to business owners was clear:

“Always secure a contract — especially in working with friends and relatives.”

His session sparked important conversations about sustainability, professionalism, and protecting Black business assets. Garth and Carole, co-founders of the US-UK Summit on Race, continue to collaborate across continents, having launched the international conference in the wake of George Floyd’s murder to foster global dialogue and action.

A Joyful and Soulful Ending
As if the day hadn't already left attendees invigorated and inspired, BBEC had one final surprise in store: a stirring performance by the Hampton University Choir from Hampton, Virginia. On the first stop of their UK tour, the choir filled the conference center with soaring harmonies and cultural pride.
Their opening number was “Lift Every Voice and Sing” — often called the Black National Anthem. As the choir began, Carole Copeland Thomas, joined by her daughter, Dr. Lorna Thomas-Farquharson and granddaughters Julianna and Gabrielle Farquharson, stood up in reverence — a deeply emotional African American  tribute to history, heritage, and hope.

A Legacy in Motion
The 2025 UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference was more than just a gathering — it was a movement. A declaration. A celebration. From dynamic panels to soulful music, BBEC underscored the power of Black excellence in business and community.
In a world still wrestling with inequality, BBEC affirmed one unwavering truth: Black entrepreneurs are not only building businesses — they are building legacies.

And London was proud to host this testament to their brilliance.

=============

Article Sources: Estelle Uba, The Voice Newspaper, and Carole Copeland Thomas

Official Site Of The UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference:
https://www.thebbec.com/

Click Here To See A List Of All Of The BBEC Speakers and Performers
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]]><![CDATA[Truth To Power: 16 Attorneys General Stand Up For DEI]]>Mon, 24 Feb 2025 21:48:09 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/truth-to-power-16-attorneys-general-stand-up-for-dei
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The battle over Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) is intensifying, but a coalition of 16 Attorneys General (AGs) is pushing back against efforts to dismantle workplace diversity programs. On February 13, 2025, these AGs issued a powerful guidance document reaffirming that DEIA initiatives remain legal, beneficial, and essential for businesses across America.

A Bold Response to Executive Orders

With the Biden administration out and Trump’s presidency bringing over 70 executive orders—many targeting DEI—corporations face increasing pressure to eliminate inclusive policies. However, the 16 AGs, led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, are making it clear: businesses have every right to continue DEIA efforts.

Their statement pushes back against the federal government’s attempts to intimidate companies into compliance, reminding employers that DEIA programs are not only lawful but also critical for reducing workplace discrimination, improving company culture, and strengthening economic growth.


The 16 Attorneys General Include:
  1. Illinois – Kwame Raoul. Co-Sponsor
  2. Massachusetts – Andrea Joy Campbell Co-Sponsor
  3. Arizona – Kris Mayes
  4. California – Rob Bonta
  5. Connecticut – William Tong
  6. Delaware – Kathy Jennings
  7. Hawaii – Anne Lopez
  8. Maine – Aaron Frey
  9. Maryland – Anthony Brown
  10. Minnesota – Keith Ellison
  11. Nevada – Aaron Ford
  12. New Jersey – Matthew Platkin
  13. New York – Letitia James
  14. Rhode Island – Peter Neronha
  15. Oregon – Ellen Rosenblum
  16. Vermont – Charity Clark

Click Here To Read The Attorneys General Report:
https://bit.ly/4h0vfFv


10 Key Takeaways from the AGs’ Guidance:
  1. DEIA is Legal – Efforts to promote workplace inclusion are protected by law.
  2. Myths vs. Reality – DEIA is not about illegal hiring quotas but about fair opportunity.
  3. Workplace Discrimination Exists – Over 285,000 discrimination complaints were filed in coalition states alone.
  4. The Business Case – DEIA improves profitability, innovation, and employee engagement.
  5. Best Hiring Practices – Structured evaluations and panel interviews reduce bias.
  6. Retention Through Inclusion – Employee Resource Groups and mentorship programs boost workplace morale.
  7. Limits of Federal Overreach – Executive orders cannot dictate private-sector DEIA efforts.
  8. Talent Attraction Strategy – Inclusive companies attract and retain top talent.
  9. Economic Growth – Businesses like Costco prove DEIA drives financial success.
  10. Next Steps for Business – Companies should remain committed despite political challenges.​

​The Fight Isn’t Over.

Now is the time for businesses and individuals to stand firm. Advocacy groups, legal professionals, and everyday citizens must push back against DEI rollbacks by protesting, calling legislators, and staying informed.

The message is clear: Diversity is not illegal. Inclusion is not optional. Equity is not expendable.
​
Stay engaged, stay vocal, and continue the fight for DEIA!

​Listen To Carole's Podcast On This Topic Below.
]]><![CDATA[A Resounding Affirmation: Race & Black History Month Matter!]]>Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:30:50 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/a-resounding-affirmation-race-black-history-month-matter
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The power of collaboration and shared purpose continues to propel the US UK Summit on Race Series forward! On February 7th, we gathered for an inspiring and thought-provoking discussion: Black History Month: What's Race Got To Do With It?—and the response has been phenomenal! Over 1,000 attendees joined us across Zoom, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, engaging with this critical conversation on race and history.

This was our thirteenth US UK event, and it reinforced the importance of international dialogue in addressing racial issues. To date, more than 3,000 people from over 15 countries have participated in or watched the US UK Summit on Race Series. This ongoing initiative has sparked new relationships, deeper discussions, and meaningful actions that continue beyond the event itself.
Powerful Keynote SpeakersOur event featured two outstanding keynote speakers who delivered compelling and insightful messages:

  • Dr. Kathryn Johnson Coleman (United States) – Former corporate executive, HR leader, and founder of IC Consulting.
  • Professor William “Lez” Henry (United Kingdom) – Speaker, author, and founder of PWH Consultancy Services Ltd. and the National Independent Education Coalition.

Their expertise and lived experiences brought depth to the conversation, inspiring attendees to reflect and take action within their own communities.
The Driving Force Behind the SummitThe US UK Summit on Race Series is made possible through the dedication and hard work of an incredible team. I am honored to work alongside these two brilliant professionals who are committed to fostering meaningful dialogue:

  • Garth Dallas (Liverpool, England) – Attorney, diversity professional, and anti-racism expert.
  • William (Bill) Wells, Jr. (Minneapolis, Minnesota) – Past Chair of the National Black MBA Association and a key figure in Minneapolis civic and business leadership following George Floyd’s death.

Together, we craft discussions, select relevant topics, and invite thought leaders to contribute to these important conversations.

Watch the Recording & Stay Engaged!If you missed the event, you can still experience the impactful discussions by watching the recording: Click here.

For more details about the conference, speakers, and agenda, click on the four items below:

Save the Date: March 13, 2025!The conversation doesn’t stop here! Mark your calendars for our next Multicultural Conference on March 13, 2025. Our theme: Brave, Bold, and Buoyant in Defense of DEI.

Onward and upward—the US UK Summit continues its mission to create change, one conversation at a time. Thank you to everyone who made this event a resounding success!

Let’s keep the momentum going!
​
– Carole Copeland Thomas
]]><![CDATA[EPISODE #40 Project 2025—The Presidential Playbook Part 2: Eliminate The US Department of Education]]>Tue, 06 Aug 2024 03:30:30 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/episode-40-project-2025-the-presidential-playbook-part-2-eliminate-the-us-department-of-educationFind The Show On Your Favorite Podcast Platform
or Logon at www.conversationswithcarole1.com
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Project 2025 is the 920+ page document that will become the playbook for the Trump Administration should he win the presidency in November 2024. It declares war on the cultural dynamics of American society, including the African-American community, other communities of color, the LGBTQ community, and those whose religious ideologies are left of center. 


Today's podcast specifically looks at the second half of Chapter 11, which articulates the dismantling and ending of the US Department of Education.  States' rights are the order of the day, and parent power prevails regardless of how qualified mom and dad are in determining the complete direction of their child's education. 


This is the second of a series of podcasts on Project 2025. You, the listener, are encouraged to download a free copy of the document before the November 5th election day and read it for your own understanding.

www.project2025.org


Themes Covered In Chapter 11 Include:

  1. States Rights
  2. Parental Rights
  3. White Christian Nationalists
  4. Privatization
  5. Destruction of the LGBTQ+ Community/Trans Community
  6. Anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) esp. Black People
]]><![CDATA[EPISODE #39 Project 2025—The Presidential Playbook Part 1: Eliminate The US Department of Education]]>Mon, 29 Jul 2024 21:53:07 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/episode-39-project-2025-the-presidential-playbook-part-1-eliminate-the-us-department-of-educationFind The Show On Your Favorite Podcast Platform
or Logon at www.conversationswithcarole1.com
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Project 2025 is the 920+ page document that will become the playbook for the Trump Administration should he win the presidency in November 2024. It declares war on the cultural dynamics of American society, including the African-American community, other communities of color, the LGBTQ community, and those whose religious ideologies are left of center. 


Today's podcast specifically looks at Chapter 11, which articulates the dismantling and ending of the US Department of Education.  States' rights are the order of the day, and parent power prevails regardless of how qualified mom and dad are in determining the complete direction of their child's education. 


This is the first of a series of podcasts on Project 2025. You, the listener, are encouraged to download a free copy of the document before the November 5th election day and read it for your own understanding.


www.project2025.org
]]><![CDATA[EPISODE #37 Learn About 5 Ways To Enhance Your Summer Cross-Cultural Collaborations]]>Fri, 12 Jul 2024 18:22:53 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/episode-37-learn-about-5-ways-to-enhance-your-summer-cross-cultural-collaborationsFind The Show On Your Favorite Podcast Platform
or Logon at www.conversationswithcarole1.com
Summer is the perfect time of year to sit back, relax, and enhance your cross cultural collaborations.

Whether you're traveling to new destinations, exploring different cuisines, or engaging in cultural festivals, summer provides endless opportunities to immerse yourself in diverse traditions and perspectives. It's a season ripe for forging new friendships, learning new languages, and experiencing the beauty of multicultural interactions firsthand. As the sun shines brightly, let it inspire you to open your heart and mind to the myriad ways people celebrate life around the globe. So, grab your favorite drink, find a cozy spot, and learn 5 new ways to enhance your cross cultural collaborations all summer long!


  1. Read your favorite book, magazine, or article OUTSIDE while enjoying nature.
  2. Explore movies on Netflix, Prime, Apple TV, or your local theatre.
  3. Find local ethnic festivals and events.
  4. Explore a single topic or two on YouTube.
  5. Create your own cultural list of favorite topics.
]]><![CDATA[Juneteenth Explained]]>Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:08:58 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/juneteenth-explained2570190
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Celebrating Juneteenth is a relatively new tradition for me. Not because of its significance or historical value but more in alignment with regional awareness. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and most African Americans who grew up in the Motor City in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s traced their roots to the Southeastern US states. My family hailed from Georgia and South Carolina before migrating to Detroit. Our story was a bit different from those that originated in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and especially Texas. Blacks from those states typically migrated North to the middle of the country and westward when African Americans sought refuge from oppressive Southern racism between the early 1900s and 1970.*


I knew of very few Juneteenth celebrations in Detroit. It would be years later when I fully understood the importance of the day that finally set Texas slaves free. And that recognition has grown to admiration and honor for some 250,000 slaves who heard the news of their freedom two and a half years after President Lincoln freed them via the Emancipation Proclamation.


Juneteenth is America's second Independence Day. That phrase was coined by the activists who worked tirelessly to elevate Jubilee Day, now known as Juneteenth, to respectable levels of honor, dignity, and liberation. It took 156 years to make Juneteenth a federal holiday when President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021. Now is the opportunity to celebrate the "rebirth" of a people whose shackles were finally lifted by General Order No. 3 on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas.


Juneteenth is synonymous with celebration. It gives permission for Americans everywhere to barbecue, have fish fries, drink red soda, dance, and spread good news while you party all night. I went to my first Juneteenth community event at Boston's Franklin Park on June 15, 2019. Thousands of Black, Brown, Asian, and White metro-Bostonians gathered at Franklin Park in family groupings, sororities, fraternities, and civic organizations for a daylong love fest in tribute to Juneteenth. It was pure love and fellowship, and now, five years later, I can't wipe that smile off my face. The pandemic prevented the festivities from taking place in 2020 and 2021. However, the Juneteenth celebrations resumed at Franklin Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022. 


Heavy rains minimized the June 17, 2023 festivities, and I missed the event altogether. However, Juneteenth was celebrated on Monday, June 19, 2023, in Brockton, Massachusetts, where they've held festive ceremonial events for many years.


This year, the Brockton organizers have hot, sunny weather, and I will attend and participate in their fifth-anniversary event later this afternoon. And this year's Franklin Park celebration on Saturday, June 15, 2024 was spectacular! Warm sunny weather, thousands of party-goers of may ethnicities, and guest appearances from Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
In her book, On Juneteenth, historian, Harvard law professor, and native Texan Annette Gordon-Reed said it this way:


"People of African descent, and to be honest, of some European descent, celebrating the end of slavery in Texas with dishes learned in slavery and a dish favored by ancient Mesoamerican Indians that connected Texas to its Mexican past; so much Texas history brought together for this one special day."


Professor Gordon-Reed says it best. Juneteenth throws off the shackles of slavery and brings all people together with food, fellowship, and fun. That spirit signifies the second Independence Day for all Americans, including those in the Black Community.


Juneteenth represents the freedom of not just Black people but all Americans to live their lives in the spirit of cross-cultural understanding. That celebratory day in Galveston, Texas is as important in our lifetime as it was way back in 1865.

*To learn more about the great Black migration in the United States, read Isabel Wilkerson's book The Warmth of Other Suns.

The Companion Guide To JUNETEENTH
On Sale Today!!!

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Explore the origin of Juneteenth, from its historical roots in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, to the celebrations, parades, and festivities now held in other countries. Juneteenth is considered the Second Independence Day for Black People in the United States! This guidebook will help you understand why Juneteenth is now a federally-recognized holiday throughout the country. 


What This Guidebook Has To Offer


Historical records, an authentic timeline, cities, and towns actively commemorating the holiday, and a step-by-step action guide on how you can start a Juneteenth celebration in your city, town, neighborhood, company, organization, or community! The best 20 pages you've ever read!


This book will help you understand why Juneteenth matters and how you or your organization can celebrate it year after year in brand new ways.


For The People


Although based on the historical emancipation of African Americans from slavery, this Guidebook is designed for all people regardless of their ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, or gender identity. Juneteenth can be celebrated by all people!


Great For: Business Leaders, Human Resource Directors, Government Leaders, Community Advocates, Historians, Educators, Students and Those Who Know Very Little/Nothing About Juneteenth!
​

2 for $25
($15 Each Regular Price. You save $5)


Click Below To Learn More and Purchase
Click Here To Purchase Your Juneteenth Guidebooks
]]><![CDATA[Tribute To Professor Charles Ogletree, Jr.]]>Sun, 27 Aug 2023 13:19:52 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/tribute-to-professor-charles-ogletree-jr
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August 19, 2023, marked the sad farewell homegoing celebration of a great American. I was privileged to be honored with Professor Charles Ogletree during a Boston Red Sox game in August 2016, along with other community and civic activists. In March 2017, I honored Professor Ogletree during my Black History Empowerment Breakfast. He was a great lawyer, Harvard Law School professor, social justice advocate, and adviser to President Barack and Michelle Obama. Most importantly, he was the treasured husband of Pamela Ogletree, father, grandfather, and longtime member of St. Paul AME Church in Cambridge before Alzheimer's caused his family to move to Maryland. 

Charles Ogletree, Jr. was the Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law and Founding and Executive Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice. 
Professor Ogletree was the author and co-editor of several books, including The Presumption of Guilt: The Arrest of Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (June 2010 Palgrave MacMillan), When Law Fails: Making Sense of Miscarriages of Justice (2009), From Lynch Mobs to the Killing State: Race and the Death Penalty in America (2006), and All Deliberate Speed: Reflections on the First Half-Century of Brown v. Board of Education (2004). 

Ogletree was born on December 31, 1952, to Charles Sr. and Willie Mae Ogletree, the first of their five children. He grew up in a rural northern California community called Merced, with a small African-American population living south of its railroad tracks. His maternal grandparents, Big Daddy and Big Mama, were an essential influence on the young Ogletree. With his grandfather, he would fish for hours, and from Big Mama, he learned how to cook and, thus, learned self-sufficiency. 

He would later credit both grandparents as profoundly influencing his demeanor and tactics as a trial lawyer. However, Ogletree's parents' marriage was plagued by periodic violence, and they eventually divorced, although they remained on good terms. 

A bright child who spent free hours in the public library and brought home good grades from school, his first brushes with the law—especially watching his father being taken away in cuffs after incidents of domestic violence at the Ogletree house—instilled in him a deep distrust of and feelings of powerlessness toward the law enforcement community.

Professor Ogletree graduated from high school and earned an M.A. and B.A. (with distinction) in Political Science from Stanford University, where he was Phi Beta Kappa. He also held a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He also received honorary doctorates from several universities and colleges, including Cambridge College, Wilberforce University, the University of Miami, the New England School of Law, Lincoln College, Tougaloo College, Mount Holyoke College, and Amherst College. 

May his legacy be remembered by us all forever. Well done, my good and faithful servant. Well done.

(Biographical sources from Harvard University, the family, and https://biography.jrank.org/pages/2366/Ogletree-Jr-Charles.html.)
]]><![CDATA[JUNETEENTH EXPLAINED]]>Sat, 17 Jun 2023 17:17:15 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/juneteenth-explained
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Celebrating Juneteenth is a relatively new tradition for me. Not because of its significance or historical value but more in alignment with regional awareness. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and most African Americans who grew up in the Motor City in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s trace their roots to the Southeastern US states. My family hailed from Georgia and South Carolina before migrating to Detroit. Our story was a bit different from those that originated in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and especially Texas. Blacks from those states typically migrated North to the middle of the country and westward when African Americans sought refuge from oppressive Southern racism between the early 1900s to 1970.*


I knew of very few Juneteenth celebrations that happened in Detroit. It would be years later when I fully understood the importance of the day that finally set Texas slaves free. And that recognition has grown to admiration and honor for some 250,000 slaves who heard the news of their freedom two and a half years after President Lincoln freed them via the Emancipation Proclamation.


Juneteenth is America's second Independence Day. That phrase was coined by the activists who worked tirelessly to elevate Jubilee Day, now known as Juneteenth, to respectable levels of honor, dignity, and liberation. It took 156 years to make Juneteenth a federal holiday when President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021. Now is the opportunity to celebrate the "rebirth" of a people whose shackles were finally lifted by General Order No 3 on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas.


Juneteenth is synonymous with celebration. It gives permission for Americans everywhere to barbecue, have fish fries, drink red soda, dance, and spread good news while you party all night. I went to my first Juneteenth community event at Boston's Franklin Park on June 15, 2019. Thousands of Black, Brown, Asian and White metro-Bostonians gathered at Franklin Park in family groupings, sororities, fraternities, and civic organizations for a daylong love fest in tribute to Juneteenth. It was pure love and fellowship, and now, four years later, I can't wipe that smile off my face. The pandemic prevented the festivities from taking place in 2020 and 2021. However, the Juneteenth celebrations resumed at Franklin Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022. 


Today's activities in Boston on June 17, 2023, will sadly be minimized by heavy rains that saturate the region. However, Juneteenth will be celebrated on Monday, June 19, 2023, in Brockton, Massachusetts, where they've been celebrating the event for many years. Undoubtedly the, Juneteenth will be celebrated throughout the country for the rest of the weekend and beyond.


In her book, On Juneteenth, historian, Harvard law professor, and native Texan Annette Gordon-Reed said it this way:


"People of African descent, and to be honest, of some European descent, celebrating the end of slavery in Texas with dishes learned in slavery and a dish favored by ancient Mesoamerican Indians that connected Texas to its Mexican past; so much Texas history brought together for this one special day."


Professor Gordon-Reed says it best. Juneteenth throws off the shackles of slavery and brings all people together with food, fellowship, and fun. That spirit signifies the second Independence Day for all Americans, including those in the Black Community.


Juneteenth represents the freedom of not just Black people but all Americans to live their lives in the spirit of cross-cultural understanding. That celebratory day in Galveston, Texas is as important in our lifetime as it was way back in 1865.


*To learn more about the great Black migration in the United States, read Isabel Wilkerson's book The Warmth of Other Suns.
​

Learn more about Juneteenth in Carole's Juneteenth Guidebook. Click Below to Learn More.
]]><![CDATA[Understanding Critical Race Theory: What It Is And What It's Not]]>Thu, 11 May 2023 22:55:55 GMThttps://www.mssconnect.com/mss-blog/understanding-critical-race-theory-what-it-is-and-what-its-notBy Carole Copeland Thomas
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I have worked with or known some of the best diversity professionals in the industry. After 36 years of crisscrossing the country and the world, I should know a thing or two about the concepts, terms, and ideologies of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and multiculturalism. That includes the years I was a member of the Diversity Collegium co-founded by the late great Dr. Roosevelt Thomas and Dr. Price Cobbs. Dr. Mary Frances Winters, Kay Iwata, and Julie O'Mara were also my colleagues in the Collegium for many years. We traveled the country meeting on key issues and paved the way for the current crop of DEIB professionals in the US.  


And throughout the years, during my Collegium days and beyond, we NEVER designed a training module focused on Critical Race Theory! It may have been discussed but it was NEVER a part of our strategic design.


So…What is the Critical Race Theory?


Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an academic and legal framework created by law experts and scholars in the 1970s and 80s that has blown up into a controversial hot topic around the country. CRT is now tied to educational efforts as either an ideological concept or a threat to the "freedom" of our nation. Despite the naysayers, CRT has never been used as the educational foundation for public school systems around the United States, nor has it been the principal framework used by diversity experts in the country. 


Who are some of the "framers" of CRT?
The late Attorney Derrick Bell, while on the faculty of Harvard Law School, was one of the early framers of CRT. Civil Rights advocate, attorney, and academician Kimberlé Crenshaw was also an early scholar who helped shape the concept. They were academic leaders looking at systemic racism from an institutional perspective. They had NO reason to roll out a CRT course for elementary school students.


Is CRT designed for elementary students?
NO! It has NEVER been designed with elementary, middle, or high school students in mind. It principally was confined to exploration in the legal and social justice arenas.  



Why is CRT such a controversial topic?
Sadly, right-wing conservative groups have latched on to CRT and are now using it as a wedge issue as they wage culture wars across the United States. They have flipped it and now use messaging to denounce it as a racist ideology promoted by left-wing progressives.  


When did the CRT controversy start?
It started under the Trump administration. On September 22, 2020, at the end of his term in office, President Trump signed Executive Order #13950 banning diversity training, CRT "training," gender identity, and sexual orientation training within federal agencies and contractors. I lost business because of that order. 


Although the Executive Order was reversed by President Biden, various state legislatures across the US continued to push to ban CRT, diversity, gender identity, and sexual orientation educational efforts, primarily in public schools. Again CRT has never been taught in public schools, yet it has been targeted in various legislative bills across the United States.


What states are targeting anti CRT legislation?


To date, more than 44 states proposed or passed anti-CRT legislation impacting public school systems and job sites in New Hampshire, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, and several others. It started with Florida's ruling called the "Don't Say Gay" law, impacting grades Kindergarten through Third Grade, and bans any specific discussion about gender identity or sexual orientation in the classrooms. It passed the state Senate and was signed by the Governor of Florida on Monday, March 29, 2022. The law went into affect in July 2022


Florida continues to lead in anti CRT legislation that now targets public/state colleges and universities. As of February 2023, Florida House Bill 999/SB 266 is pending in their state legislature. It states the following:


Requires public college and university governing boards to review their institutions for violations of HB 7 or programs that are "based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, or economic inequities." Colleges and universities are also prohibited from expending any funds, regardless of source, that promotes or supports a program that violates HB 7, espouses diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promotes political or social activism. All general education courses must be "based on the fundamental truth that all persons are equal before the law and have inalienable rights and may not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics, violates [HB 7], or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, or economic inequities."


In New Hampshire, a pending law prohibits specific discussions about race or sex as mandatory student or employee training. Teachers can lose their license if caught teaching about race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The bill was slipped in under the state budget without the benefit of the full range of discussion or hearings. 


So, where can I learn more about CRT and the fight to reverse the legislation designed to kill it?


Start with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund document about CRT. 
Download it here: https://bit.ly/3r7V5QQ


The NAACP Legal Defense Funds articulates it this way:
 Critical Race Theory recognizes that racism is more than the result of individual bias and prejudice. It is embedded in laws, policies, and institutions that uphold and reproduce racial inequalities. According to CRT, societal issues like Black Americans' higher mortality rate, outsized exposure to police violence, the school-to-prison pipeline, denial of affordable housing, and the rates of the death of Black women in childbirth are not unrelated anomalies. 


Here is an entire webpage I created to help you understand CRT:
http://www.tellcarole.com/understanding-crt.html


Good Book To Read:
Race, Rights, and Redemption: The Derrick Bell Lectures On The Law And Critical Race Theory
Edited by Janet Deward Bell and Vincent M. Southerland


LIVE State by State Update on Anti-CRT GAG Orders

https://bit.ly/3r8TQBd




Good YouTube Video To Watch on Right-Wing Groups and Why They Are Fighting Against CRT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtJ3s6YECAc&t=7s


Now do your homework, make up your OWN mind and talk to your friends, students, colleagues, or neighbors about WHY you support or denounce CRT. The choice is YOURS.
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