This list is a work in progress, as I am continuously learning about the complexities of race, racism, community and their intersections. Many more people have supported and taught me than I could possibly name here. Forgive me if you don’t see your name on this list.
People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond first introduced me to the concepts of structural racism and white privilege, and prompted me to hold up the mirror and reflect on my place in the racialized scheme of things.
Community Change Inc. continues to provide a supportive and nurturing home for white people in greater Boston like myself to take on racism.
Peggy McIntosh was instrumental to sharpening my writing and perspective during the home stretch of completing The Education of a White Parent.
Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation lends a loud, clear voice, and strategic thinking and tools to the work of racial justice organizing.
The Kirwan Institute for Race and Ethnicity has provided thoughtful research to back up my work, and an inspiring like-minded community at their national conference.
Cynthia Parker at Interaction Institute for Social Change has helped hone my training and thinking on how to introduce others to the concepts of institutional and structural racism.
john a. powell has pushed my thinking, always in new and provocative directions, around the intersection of race and community.
Community organizers in the NeighborWorks network filled in a lot of the gaps in my own understanding of community organizing, and brought me a renewed appreciation for this work as a profession.
For my earliest learnings, I thank my parents and honor their memory:
Norman Naimark taught me, from an early age, that people of all backgrounds and identities bring value to society, and that it is the responsibility of all of us to stand up to social injustice.
Helen Naimark passed on to me a strong sense of fairness, and some of the skills of working in organizations.