Research and Action for Change and Equity (RACE) Program

About this grant

The Research and Action for Change and Equity (RACE) Program addresses race-related issues throughout the northwestern U.S. through research, education and action. In 2004, the Western States Center began to evaluate and refocus the RACE program and share lessons learned within the broader field of race relations. Funding will enable RACE to identify individual leaders from various immigrant and refugee communities and other communities of color to build a shared vision and mutually supportive relationships; strengthen the capacity of groups to build power for their members through in-depth consultation and technical assistance; foster a deeper understanding of civic participation strategies to ensure that minority communities are heard; create a regional network of immigrant and refugee organizations and their allies; and leverage resources to enable groups to invest in staff and infrastructure development.During the past year, the program conducted ongoing analyses of trends and racial dynamics both regionally and in relationship to national trends; provided capacity building and leadership development support to organizations working on racial equity across the region; and hosted a five-day training session for more than 400 organizers.