We will gather on Zoom for an welcome from event sponsors and and energizing large group session with Willie Adams.

Tell Me the Truth About Racism (Preschool, Elementary, Parents/Caregivers, Families Together)
Presented by Jen Enriquez of Peace Camp Chicago
Virtual -45 minutes

Kids and the adults who care for them will hear a simply and truthfully told history of racism in the United States, beginning with the time when Indigenous Peoples were the only ones here. Kids will be invited into wondering questions and simple activities will be a part of the workshop. Participants will gain a shared language for discussion, tools to interrupt racism in their lives and empowerment to be an advocate for justice.


Hands-On Community Art Project (Families Together, Everyone)
Presented by Rachel Weaver Rivera and Guillermo Rivera of the Kensington Arts Center
In-Person at Community Center of La Grange, 200 Washington Ave - 30 minutes
Also offered at 11am

This workshop will be a hands-on art experience for multiple generations to explore how making art together builds friendships, shared joy, and community values.


Challenge Accepted: Deepening Your Anti-Racist Education (High School and Adults)
Presented by Maureen Wierema of Learning Anti-Racism Together
Virtual - 30 minutes

Participants will explore a roundup of a few comprehensive and indispensable daily challenges curated by anti-racist scholars and educators. Self-education is a vital part of the journey to an anti-racist community.


Creating an Inclusive High School Culture (Junior High, High School, Parents/Caregivers, Adults)
Presented by Brian Waterman, Principal of Lyons Township High School
Virtual - 45 minutes

This interactive workshop will explore how Lyons Township High School (LTHS) has worked to address dignity violations in the school community. LTHS believes that dignity should be a foundational principle upon which our interactions are based, and we believe that dignity is either honored or violated with every individual or group interaction. Participants will explore ways to achieve the goal of cultivating a school community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and dignity.


Talking to Loved Ones About Race (Junior High, High School, and Adults)
Presented by Marian Honel-Wilson of the CommUNITY Diversity Group of La Grange
Virtual - 45 minutes

Participants will watch a short video by Emmanuel Ocho called "How to have uncomfortable conversations with your loved ones" and discuss the importance of having conversations about racism and privilege with others. Having conversations can help us explore how racism hurts all of us and how we can work together to promote antiracist policies.


Taking Action Against Racism (Junior High)
Presented by High School Youth from The LeaderShop
In Person at Lyonsville Church, 6871 Joliet Road, Indian Head Park - 45 minutes

Students will participate in teen-led activities and discussions that will allow them to gain a better understanding of what racism looks like in the world around them. High school teens will also help the junior high students develop an action plan for practicing anti-racism in their communities and schools.

Raising Anti-Racist White Kids (Parents/Caregivers)
Presented by Jen Enriquez of Peace Camp Chicago
Virtual - 45 minutes

Participants will have a chance to talk in a safe and authentic environment about raising anti-racist white kids. Topics will include "I don't see color", "where do I start?" and racial identity development.


Hands-On Community Art Project (Families Together, Everyone)
Presented by Rachel Weaver Rivera and Guillermo Rivera of the Kensington Arts Center
In-Person at Community Center of La Grange, 200 Washington Ave - 30 minutes
Also offered at 10am

This workshop will be a hands-on art experience for multiple generations to explore how making art together builds friendships, shared joy, and community values.


Open Your Heart with African American Poetry (High School and Adults)
Presented by Andrea Martonffy
In Person at The LeaderShop, 4903 Willow Springs Road, La Grange - 45 minutes
Also offered at 12pm

Participants will hear and participate in an open-ended discussion of a poem by a contemporary African American poet.


Building Reading Skills with Multicultural Literature (Kids 9-12 and Parents/Caregivers)
Presented by Tiziana Lambert of Reading Critically
Virtual - 45 minutes

Reading Critically is a group-based tutoring program geared towards helping students 9-12 years old increase their reading comprehension skills by thinking critically about a text. Students will work collaboratively to evaluate, analyze and synthesize information using multicultural literature written by highly-reputable authors. During this session, students will read an informational text focusing on Black Lives Matter and learn essential skills needed to identify the main ideas and details needed to write a concise summary. Students will also read a beautifully written and illustrated book by Maxine Beneda Clarke entitled When We Say Black Lives Matter. Session is geared towards 9-12 year old kids only, however, parents are more than welcome to join in to help and support kids.


Speaking Up Against Microaggressions (Junior High, High School, and Adults)
Presented by Marian Honel-Wilson of the CommUNITY Diversity Group of La Grange
Virtual - 45 minutes
Also offered at 12pm

This experiential workshop will explore microaggressions and expressions of bias, possible responses, and suggestions for effective intervention. We will start with a short video about microaggressions, review some of the literature about what they are and why they're harmful, discuss various responses, both effective and ineffective, and allow some time to practice responding to a microaggression in breakout groups.


Living In Color: More Than Black and White (High School)
Presented by High School Students from the LeaderShop
In Person at Lyonsville Church, 6871 Joliet Road, Indian Head Park - 45 minutes

Students will participate in a discussion-based workshop centered around their experiences with racism in high school settings. We will also reference relevant pieces of literature and current events to guide us as we explore different viewpoints among a diverse group of youth from the area.

Creating an Inclusive K-8 School Culture (Adults, Families Together)
Presented by Mimi Yong, Colleen Karanian, and Emmie Crement of District 105 (Countryside, Hodgkins, South La Grange)
Virtual - 30 minutes

Colleagues from School District 105 will guide participants through the dignity framework they are incorporating into staff training sessions. Interactive topics will include personal reflection on the concept of belonging vs. otherizing, as well as action steps that individuals can take to enhance the four dispositions of belonging.


Open Your Heart with African American Poetry (High School and Adults)
Presented by Andrea Martonffy
In Person at The LeaderShop, 4903 Willow Springs Road, La Grange - 45 minutes
Also offered at 11am

Participants will hear and participate in an open-ended discussion of a poem by a contemporary African American poet.


Speaking Up Against Microaggressions (Junior High, High School, and Adults)
Presented by Marian Honel-Wilson of the CommUNITY Diversity Group of La Grange
Virtual - 45 minutes
Also offered at 11am

This experiential workshop will explore microaggressions and expressions of bias, possible responses, and suggestions for effective intervention. We will start with a short video about microaggressions, review some of the literature about what they are and why they're harmful, discuss various responses, both effective and ineffective, and allow some time to practice responding to a microaggression in breakout groups.


Anti-Racist Read-Aloud Books (Parents and Caregivers)
Presented by Rachel Dahl of The Reading Department
Virtual - 45 minutes

Participants will learn about choosing texts to read to their children with an anti-racist lens, discuss conversation starters, and dialogue about how reading aloud opens the door to rich anti-racist conversations. Rachel Dahl is a certified reading specialist K-12 and has her master's degree in reading. She approaches working with children and families with an anti-racist orientation and is excited to bring this content to our community.

We will gather together after workshops for a brief closing session. We'll reflect together on what we've learned and what actions we will take in our own lives.