Community Connections
Community Connections cultivates spaces and events to build mutual understanding and meaningful relationships between neighbors from differing communities by fostering authentic conversations and connections across racial lines and providing pathways for individuals to further engage in racial equity work.
Featured Initiative:
Equitable Schools Fund
Through our Equitable Schools Fund, support K-12 schools in our Sister Cities partner communities, which have been historically and systemically disinvested in and marginalized.
Featured Program:
(Eco)Exchange™
Sister Cities Project’s (Eco)Exchange program, the flagship program of our Community Connections Impact Area, fosters relationship-building between community members across racial divides. Our proprietary model, which brings residents from historically marginalized, predominantly Black and Brown communities together with residents of affluent, predominantly White communities, (Eco)Exchanges encourage courageous and vulnerable dialogue between community members and build understanding and trust between residents and across communities.
(Eco)Exchange events typically begin with a panel discussion featuring community leaders, city officials, experts, and activists on a particular topic related to equity and racial justice, highlighting the lived experience and expertise of Black community members. Attendees then join panelists in an open discussion, affording everyone the opportunity to share personal experiences and contribute to the conversation. (Eco)Exchanges close with an opportunity for panelists and attendees to share ideas for taking their learnings and passion beyond the event; these specific and actionable steps are then outlined in follow-up communication that sustains the momentum created, giving participants an action map for engaging in continued racial equity work.
By hosting (Eco)Exchanges at venues within our Sister Cities communities and providing refreshments from local Black-owned businesses, the events also serve as a vehicle for experiencing the vibrant culture of our communities, visiting important historic and cultural sites, and supporting local businesses.
Join us for the next (Eco)Exchange
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Past (Eco)Exchange Events
