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Racial Justice Commissioners

We invite you to invest your time and resources to work together with us to eliminate racism. Become a Racial Justice Commissioner at the It's Time to Talk Forums on Race luncheon, an annual event of the YWCA of Minneapolis.

Eliminating racism is a core value of the YWCA of Minneapolis, which puts its mission into action through policy development, programming and outreach. Now more than ever our community must continue courageous conversations on race and racism. In order for each person and our schools, workplaces and communities to become the best they can become, all of us need to invest in this critical conversation.

Last year, over 1,100 racially diverse civic leaders - from business, education, government, the arts, faith communities and community service - came together to talk about racism and commit to action.

As a Racial Justice Commissioner you are responsible for inviting eight additional guests to sit at your table the day of the event. The YWCA provides a professionally trained facilitator to engage everyone in a 50 minute dialogue as part of the program. Following the event you will be invited to organize another dialogue for 10 individuals, to "Continue the Conversation".

What others are saying about It's Time to Talk: Forums on Race:

We know we can do more, and in fact, we are doing more because of what happens here at these dialogues today. The health care system needs to change too. Its' not all about data, and research and facts, and changing the care process. It's about changing hearts and minds and beliefs.
    - Mary Brainerd, President and CEO - HealthPartners

It's Time to Talk provides an opportunity for us to reinforce and continue conversation about diversity and inclusion. Events like this are very important to promoting understanding.
    - Dave St. Peter, President - Minnesota Twins

The ITT Circle Dialogues on Race provide a setting where we can explore our attitudes about race with others who are - or want to become - committed to fairness and justice.
    - Velma Korbel, Commissioner - Minnesota Department of Humans Rights

A professionally facilitated dialogue with co-workers allows us to better understand each other's unique background and experiences. We hope to spread this dialogue to others in our organization and create wide-spread engagement in a more inclusive community.
    - Maureen O'Brien Wieser, Sr. Vice President/HR Manager - Bremer Bank Twin Cities

This dialogue raises awareness of the unique perspectives and thoughts that all people bring to the table. We plan to use this experience to promote more open dialogue around diversity and inclusion among employees.
    - Shelly Espinosa, Director of Community Affairs - UnitedHealth Group

This is one of the most meaningful events that I've attended.
    - 2008 It's Time to Talk Participant

Racial Justice Commissioner Table

$1,000 - includes:

  • Program and Lunch for 9 individuals on November 10, 2009.
  • Post-event professionally facilitated dialogue for 10 to "Continue the Conversation"

To receive a Racial Justice Commissioner packet please contact Julianne Bye at or 612-215-4166.