WHAT IS THE 21-DAY CHALLENGE?
"For 21 days, do one action to further your understanding of power, privilege, oppression, and equity."
By acknowledging the history of racism and discrimination that continues to perpetuate inequities and injustices in our communities and utilizing our lived experiences to help inform others, we can create more equitable systems. Our voices and lived experiences can generate a collective understanding and a theme about how to dismantle racial and social injustices to elevate our loved ones who need our support for a just and equitable society. It has been said that it takes “21 days to form a habit”, so for any of us to learn, grow, and support racial equity and social justice, we need to set intentions and work at it all the time. The Challenge is not only a foundation for going from individual to collective change, it is also a springboard for ongoing, year-round 365-day action.
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This challenge was originally developed by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. and Debby Irving and has been adapted by many organizations across the country. The challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership.
We want to thank Food Solutions New England for inspiring this challenge. They were the first to adapt an exercise from Dr. Eddie Moore and Debby Irving’s book into the interactive 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, which they launched in 2015. CA4Health’s Challenge borrows quotes, examples, and conceptual frameworks from them and the following resources who have also created 21-Day Challenges, so we would like to acknowledge and thank: Michigan League for Public Policy, YWCA Cleveland OH, Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA, and Holderness School, Holderness NH.
Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better do better.
– Dr. Maya Angelou
HOW THE CHALLENGE WILL WORK
The CA4Health Challenge is designed to engage participants by having them dedicate no more than an hour a day for 21 days. We recommend optional resources when individuals have additional time. You will be presented with challenges such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on personal experience and more. Participation in an activity like this helps us to discover how racial injustice and social injustice impact our community, to connect with one another, and to identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.
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This is an exciting opportunity to dive deep into racial equity and social justice. We hope you’ll join us and accept this challenge!
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What if I can’t do all the daily prompts?
It’s ideal if you can do a little bit with the daily prompts, perhaps saving the “going deeper” extra material for another time. However, we realize sometimes it’s hard to keep it going for the full twenty-one days! The links you will receive will stay live for a month so that you can come back later. Also, don’t forget that you’ll have the weekends to get caught up!
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How can my organization run our own discussion group?
If you want to have discussions with your group instead of, or in addition to, the CA4Health discussions, here are some resources to help guide you. Encourage participants in your group to use the reflection log provided in the program, and teams can meet to discuss and reflect on the Challenge together.
Questions to explore could include:
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How did the activities make you feel?
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What actions have you taken based on the activities?
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What actions would you like to take?
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What further resources (reading, research, tools, and/or strategies) do you need to take action?
Use these conversation guidelines as a way to help people feel safe when discussing their personal experiences:
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What you share within the context of the group is confidential, honored and respected.
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Use “I” statements; no one speaks for another or for an entire group of people.
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Avoid critiquing others’ experiences; focus on your own experiences.
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Be honest and willing to share.
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Listen with curiosity and the willingness to learn and change. Resist the desire to interrupt.
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Be brief and share time equally.
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Suspend judgment. Be open to the kernel of truth in each person’s story.
See this discussion guide for additional ideas!
This is an exciting opportunity to dive deep into racial equity and social justice. We hope you’ll join us and accept this challenge!
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Disclaimer: CA4Health is not responsible for content created by outside parties. The organizers have made as much effort as possible to provide accessible links and resources. All advertisements related to any video, website, or article are not endorsed by CA4Health.
DAILY CHALLENGES
WEEK ONE
WEEK TWO
WEEK THREE
WEEK FOUR
Learning Together to Create a More Equitable Future
CA4Health’s Racial Equity & Social Justice 21-Day Challenge engaged participants in learning activities to explore the history of racism and discrimination and build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership.
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Read the full article HERE.
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Past Challenge Participants
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Mojgan Sami, Assistant Professor of Health Equity, California State University Fullerton
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Center for Healthy Communities at CSU, Chico
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Solano Behavioral Health
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Arboreta Group
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The Center for Wellness and Nutrition
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Public Health Institute - Sustaining Technical Analytic and Resource Program
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Team Rudy
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City of Perris
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Alameda Inpatient Medial, Inc.
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Public Health Advocates (REACH)
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Ebony Chambers McClinton, Stanford Sierra Youth and Families
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CommuniCare Health Centers
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CommuniCare's MAT Program
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Dan Curran, C/Net Solutions
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Public Health Institute CDC Fellowship Program Staff
CA4HEALTH PROGRAM OFFICE
www.CA4HEALTH.org
555 12th Street, 10th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 813-9420
CA4Health@phi.org
CA4Health is a project of the Public Health Institute. CA4Health is made possible with funding from The California Endowment.
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