Spread the Word Tip #2: Become a Mythbuster!

With Accelerating Racial Justice 2013 applications due this Friday, we're reposting this short series from August 2010:

Our first Spread the Word Tip was about wearing your RAPP t-shirt.

Today I want to talk about another way to help spread the word about RAPP: Mythbust for us!

In my past four years in RAPP, I've found some common misconceptions people have about RAPP. Let's debunk them now:

Myth #1: Grad students can't do RAPP. Bzzzt! Wrong! I personally know this to be incorrect because I did RAPP while completing my masters. Every year that I've been involved with RAPP, we've had great graduate students amongst our members. We've had people who've completed their bachelors and are completing pre-requisites to enter a masters program. We've had PhD candidates. RAPP is open to all students!

Myth #2: RAPP is only for liberal arts majors. Bzzt again! The last year RAPP members have represented ten different colleges of UC and the year before they represent eight. You can see the majors and colleges of RAPP XXV here. One of the areas of diversity we strive for in recruitment is academic diversity. Last year's RAPP represented 44 majors in fall quarter. While Psychology and Communications were the two most common, they were closely followed by Criminal Justice and Finance.

Myth #3: RAPP is only about race. Bzzt at third time! While race is a large component of what we discuss, I like to say that RAPP is a "race AND" program - meaning we talk about race AND other areas of difference. RAPP has formally included gender in its work since RAPP IX (though the discussion began in RAPP VIII). Sexuality was formally included in the curriculum in 2000 and we've used the concept of intersectionality as a foundation of our work since 2003. We still follow a general race->gender->sexuality format through the three quarters, but we intentionally include other topics and encourage the group to wander through what they're interested in.

By helping break down these three myths, you can help us reach more students because they can see that they're eligible for RAPP and that their interests are welcome.

Spread the Word Tip #1: Wear That Shirt!

With Accelerating Racial Justice 2013 applications due this Friday, we're reposting this short series from August 2010:

Jojo at MainStreet Stride 2010

To help promote RAPP, you don't have to be like Jojo (XXIV) here and carry a sign everywhere. If you think about it, he has TWO signs in that picture - the one he's carrying and the one he's wearing.

I can't count how many times my RAPP t-shirt has started a conversation. This is true both with people I already know and with complete strangers.

More than once, someone on the bus or out at a park has read the quote on the back and sparked up a conversation with me.

Friends and strangers alike often ask me about the logo... or the Roman numerals... or what the second P is for.

Wear your RAPP t-shirt to classes. Wear it to student group meetings. Wear it to community events, religious services, work (if you can), and just out-and-about. Even if you don't talk with someone about it, it creates visibility.

Also, a few times a year we'll have "RAPP T-Shirt Days" where we ask folks to wear their t-shirt.  I hope to see you in your shirt then and on other days - I'll be wearing mine!

Apply to Be a RAPP Leader! Applications Due This Friday

There are several ways to be involved in RAPP as a student leader!  Participation in RAPP's intensive programs - either the 9-month RAPP or 5-day Accelerating Racial Justice - is strongly encouraged as a first step.  Participation in similar programs is recognized as well, though.

Summer 2013 Opportunities:

• Accelerating Racial Justice Peer Leader:  Serve as a mentor to participants in the 5-day summer program, participating in all ARJ sessions as well as pre-service training and staff meetings during the August 12-16 intensive. (anticipated 3 positions)
• Accelerating Racial Justice Facilitator:  Serve as volunteer student facilitator in the 5-day summer program, participating in pre-service planning and training as well as facilitating during all sessions and participating in staff meetings during the August 12-16 intensive.  (anticipated 1 position)  
• Accelerating Racial Justice Process Observer:   Serve as a silent observer during the 5-day summer program recording information for immediate and long-term use, participating in pre-service planning and training as well as taking detailed observations for evaluation and training purposes during all sessions and participating in staff meetings during the August 12-16 intensive. (anticipated 1-2 positions)

2013-14 Academic Year Opportunities:

• RAPP XXIX Peer Leader:  Serve as a mentor to participants in the 9-month program, attending a minimum of ten of the meetings and two of the retreats as well as participating in pre-service and semesterly trainings.  RAPP XXIX schedule is available here. (3 positions)
• RAPP XXIX Student Worker: Serve as a student facilitator for RAPP XXIX, working an average of 15 hours/week doing planning, administration, and facilitation work for pay.  Read the position description here. (1 position)
• RAPPORT Student Worker:  Serve as an student facilitator for RAPPORT 2013-14, working an average of 15 hours/week doing planning, administration, and facilitation work for pay.  Read the position description here. (1 position)
• Accelerating Racial Justice 2014 Student Worker: Serve as a student coordinator and facilitator for Accelerating Racial Justice 2014, working an average of 10 hours/week doing planning, recruitment, administrative, and facilitation work January-September 2014.  Read the position description here. (1 position)

Apply Now!
To apply for one or more of the above positions, please download and complete the application HERE.

Peer Leader candidates are evaluated primarily through their written application, though candidates who have not participated in RAPP may receive a follow-up phone interview.

Successful candidates for the facilitator roles (RAPP, RAPPORT, ARJ) and the ARJ Process Observer may be asked participate in an interview.

RAPP XXVIII: Recognizing Participation

RAPP XXVIII started out the year strong in terms of attendance.  They got the same message all groups in recent years get:

The RAPP commitment is being present in body and mind at all meetings and retreats.

This commitment is featured heavily in the application, the RAPP interview, the RAPP Orientation, the actual group-created RAPP Agreement, and they get inundated with print and digital copies of the schedule with the above refrain repeated over and over.

I've been tracking member participation since RAPP XXIV and found a disturbing trend - steadily declining attendance across the board.  Many hours were spent by SALD and RAPP staff and leaders sorting through the issue.  It was part of the motivation for returning to one RAPP group and creating Accelerating Racial Justice.

RAPP XXVIII changed the game!  The retention of members over the year held steady and strong: 85% of those who committed to the process completed it.  The participation of members returned to a high level: Members averaged attending 88% of the sessions.

This is no small feat! We've got a group of busy people: they're all students, most work at least one job, most are involved in other organizations, and everyone has a lot of commitments to manage.  On top of that, there are the unexpected events like illness, accidents, family issues, and schedule changes.

Every year a core group shows us that being at everything is possible.  At our banquets and here online, we recognize those who were able to fulfill the commitment they signed up for to "be present in mind and body" in at least the "body" portion.  This year's group was a little bigger than previous.

L to R: Leah, Kalilah, Lindy, Marquez, and Nathaniel

Near-Perfect Attendance
These people attended all RAPP XXVIII meetings and retreats except one:
Kalilah Montgomery
Leah Baccus
Lindy Zeff
Marquez White
Nathaniel Bell

L to R: Abbey, Anthony, Bridget, Kahvah, Maya, Rebekah, Sabria, and Shawnee

Perfect Attendance
These people attended all RAPP XXVIII meetings and retreats:
Abbey Falcone
Anthony Foster
Bridget Parham
Kahvah YisraEL
Maya Whyte
Rebekah Clinger
Sabria Berry
Shawnee Haslon

In front, our Peer Leaders Kristin Myers- Young, Farooq Alkhateeb, and Tianshu Lu.  Photobombing in back, Facilitator Brice Mickey.

Student Leaders
Our Peer Leaders are indispensable to the group and the process.  Their commitment blows me away!

They have already completed a full year of RAPP with great attendance and then sign up for another. With that in mind, the commitment they sign on to is to participate in 3/4 of the sessions.  All three of our leaders went above and beyond this year!  Tianshu even had perfect attendance and Farooq missed only one session while he was out-of-town at a professional conference.

Our Student Facilitator is also pivotal.  Facilitating sessions is actually less than half of his role - Brice participates in the recruitment of members, planning the sessions through which we implement the curriculum, participating in assessment and utilizing feedback, administrative tasks, supporting Peer Leaders, and participating in his own training.  Whew!  He did this with perfect attendance, too!


Many thank you to all these phenomenal RAPPers!

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 6

Why Did You Join RAPP?

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
Lastly, we have RAPP XXVI member, Kevin Weber!

Snapshots from the RAPP XXVIII Banquet

Last week, we celebrated the members of RAPP XXVIII for their challenging and successful year together.  Here are some shots from the evening.  Head over to Rebecca's Facebook to see the full album.

RAPP celebrations involve a lot of fun!

We had a delicious dinner together in Mick & Mack's Cafe.  We were grateful to be joined by many campus dignitaries:

• Debra Merchant, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs & Services
• Dr. Bleuzette Marshall, Interim Chief Diversity Officer and RAPP VI alumna
• Dr. Robin Martin, Associate Vice Provost of Diversity & Inclusion
• Frank Bowen, Dean of Students
• Daniel Cummins, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of University Judicial Affairs, and RAPP VIII facilitator
• Dr. Nicole Mayo, Director of Student Activities & Leadership Development (SALD)
• Dr. Nicole Ausmer, Assistant Director of SALD
• Leah Howell, Program Manager of Fraternity & Sorority Life in SALD
• Dr. Terri Hurdle, Program Coordinator of Student Activities Board and Emerging Ethnic Leaders (SALD)
• Dr. Susie Mahoney, Program Coordinator of Club Sports (SALD)
• Portia Watkins, Program Coordinator of University Funding Board and Student Safety Board (SALD)

Dinner with dignitaries!
L to R: Kristin, Debra Merchant, Sabria, Meg, Dr. Susie Mahoney, Leah

Dinner with dignitaries!
L to R: Maya, Leah Howell, Lindy, Oge, Dean Bowen, Nathaniel

Dinner with dignitaries!
L to R: Tianshu, Dioncia, Dr. Hurdle, Shawnee

Our Peer Leaders Farooq, Kristin, and Tianshu kicked off the program with leadership reflections on the year.  This was followed by remarks from the RAPP XXVIII members recognized with the Terence L Jones Diversity Award, Kalilah and Nate.

We then recognized people with near-perfect and perfect attendance with special certificates of appreciation:

Thanks for ALWAYS being there!
L to R: Abbey, Anthony, Bridget, Kahvah, Maya, Rebekah, Sabria, and Shawnee

We then thanked our dignitaries for their generosity with their time spending dinner with us and moved into the private-to-the-group portion of the evening: RAPPmate presentations!

Many thanks to RAPP XXVIII for a celebration that was as meaningful AND fun as the whole year together!

Anthony & Nathia smile post-celebration.

Iman & Kahvah smile post-celebration.

Post-celebration "men of RAPP XXVIII" photo!
L to R: Oge, Nathaniel, Anthony, Marquez, Farooq, and Brice

Sarah reminded us that RAPP forever impacts your perspective! :)

Snapshots from the RAPPORT Year-End Celebration

Last week we celebrated the 2012-13 academic year of RAPPORT - a year of learning, growing, leadership, and fun!  Here are some snapshots of the evening.

The more-than-two-dozen participants enjoyed a dinner from Deep India.

While filling our stomachs, we shared fun memories from the many RAPPORT activities throughout the year.  Then we wrote how we'll each apply something we learned from our interactions in RAPP/ORT this year.

Alexis plans to join RAPP XXIX!

Allison has several takeaways: paying attention to context & semantics, looking for opportunities to better the world, and appreciating good friends!

Vicky will always meet people with an open heart and an open mind!

We ended with recognizing each Bearcat who had earned a RAPP Social Justice Peer Educator Certificate - they shared what the process had meant to them and then participants all shared reflections on the positive impact the person had had on them and/or the group process.

Laura receives her RAPP Social Justice Peer Educator Certificate!

Sharing memories generated lots of laughs, some tears, and a celebration of continual learning!

The evening was facilitated and emceed by Jojo!

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 5

Why Did You Join RAPP?

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
Now, we have RAPP XXIV alum and RAPP superstar Jojo Azevedo.

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 4

In an extra special Why Did You Join RAPP, we have The Rebecca Lehman!

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
Now we learn why Rebecca Lehman, RAPP XXII member and the current RAPP Program Coordinator initially got involved in the program!

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 3

Why Did You Join RAPP?

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
We have RAPP XXIV member, Peer Leader for RAPP XXV, and Social Justice League 2010-11 member Krystal Smith telling us her interesting reason for joining!

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 2

Why Did You Join RAPP?

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
First, we have RAPP XXVI member, RAPP XXVII Peer Leader and ARJ 2012 Process Observer Matthew Woodruff.

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 1

Why Did You Join RAPP?

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
First, we have RAPP XXVII member and ARJ 2012 Peer Leader Jalisa Holifield.

RAPP Lapel Pin Day Tomorrow - President Ono's Ready! Are You?

Tomorrow is RAPP Lapel Pin Day!

Lane (XXV) helped UC President Dr. Santa Ono get ready with a RAPP lapel pin!

t's easy to participate in this, regardless whether you're on UC's campus that day or not.  Simply wear your RAPP lapel pin!

If you CAN come to Clifton campus, stop by the RAPP Office in 669 Steger Student Life Center.  We'll have a snacks, photo ops, and a RAPPfle (a RAPP raffle) between 10AM and 6PM.

If you can't, snap a picture of yourself with your lapel pin and post it on the RAPP Facebook fan page wall - we'll enter you in the RAPPfle when you do!

Need a RAPP lapel pin? Contact Rebecca at rebecca.lehman@uc.edu and/or stop by the RAPP Office!

RAPPfle winners will be announced here on the blog and contacted on Friday, April 19.

Congratulations to Kalilah & Nate for Terence L Jones Diversity Award!

Congratulations to RAPP XXVIII's recipients of the Terence L. Jones Diversity Award!

Kalilah Montgomery and Nathaniel Bell were selected by their peers and the facilitation team based on their authentic engagement in the RAPP process, their commitment, and their continual support of their peers' development.

Talk about the "Unmentionables" - Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice

Reposted and updated from June 2012:

Along with our nine-month intensive and our alumni program RAPPORT with its Social Justice League, RAPP staff and volunteers lead an average of 50 workshops and trainings each year in the campus and community.

Through all of this, we hear a very common refrain:  I've never gotten to talk about this before - and I want to talk about it!

Even those who talk about race, gender, sexuality, religious/spiritual identity, and other social identities share the tune with a slight variation:  I've never gotten to talk about this with people who are different from me before!

Many of us experience a lifetime of lessons that these topics are not a part of polite conversation.  Many of us experience a lifetime of lessons that we're not supposed to even notice these identities.  Unsurprisingly, this leaves us with a great set of skills in NOT talking about them and very little experience or practice actually talking about them.

When we do try, some common experiences that remind us yet again we shouldn't be having these conversations come up.  We fumble our words and fail to express what we mean because we're focusing so hard on not being offensive.  We're shut down by others who want to keep these topics off the table.  We ignite anger and conflict ensues.  We're not able to ask foundational questions because we're too afraid of being exposed as ignorant.

A key to success in these conversations is getting support in them from folks who have some practice and can help shift the space from fear of the complexity that these topics entail to appreciation of that messiness.

Accelerating Racial Justice will give you that support!  For five days, you get to learn and teach others about racial justice and inclusive leadership as well as your life experiences.  You get to ask questions.  You get to be celebrated for sharing when you don't know.  You get to build a community that will keep these conversations going.

Apply now for Accelerating Racial Justice!  Applications are due by 5PM on Friday, May 3rd!

A small group conversation at a RAPP meeting.  RAPP integrates solo-reflection, pairs, trios, small group, and large group time into our learning process.

How to Apply There are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

RAPPers at the University Recognition Cermony

 Many RAPPers current and former graced the stage to be recognized as top student leaders at the 2013 University Recognition Ceremony.  Congratulations to these Bearcats on their accomplishments!

Lane Hart (XXV), 2013 Mr. Bearcat, was recognized with the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence and the Spirit of Community Award for College of Business.

Lauren Fink (XXV) was endorsed by UC for the distinguished Marshall Scholarship.

Alyssa Roberts (XXV) was recognized nationally by Who's Who Among Students at American Colleges & Universities.

 

Nloh Masango-Dibo (XXIV) was recognized with the Marjorie B. Parham  Award.

 

Nick Herrmann (XXVI) was recognized as RA of the Year for his residence hall.

 

Long-time RAPP supporters Dr. Mitchel Livingston and Cody Clark received the Just Community Award, presented by Dr. Bleuzette Marshall (VI)

What Better Way to Kick Off 2013-14?! - Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice

Reposted and updated from June 2012:

August is the start of a new school year!  From childhood to now, to me that has meant a new class schedule, new instructors, new classmates (with some familiar thrown in).  More important for me, it has also meant a new start - a chance to try new things.

If a new school year has meant any of these things to you, hopefully you also share that it's a chance to try new things.  Why not try a new thing with RAPP:  Accelerating Racial Justice!

Accelerating Racial Justice is RAPP's newest intensive.  Through it, you spend five days and four nights building community while enhancing your knowledge and skills in racial justice and inclusive leadership.

If becoming a better leader is any part of your new school year, join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

If knowing more about yourself is any part of your new school year, join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

If knowing more about your community - both on campus and writ large -is any part of your new school year, join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

If having a week to recharge sounds like a good way to start a new school year, join us forAccelerating Racial Justice!

If making new friends is any part of your new school year, join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

Apply today for Accelerating Racial Justice!  Applications are due by 5PM on Friday, May 3rd.

Start your year before Welcome Weekend (full of fun events like this one, the Asian Student Welcome) - join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

How to Apply There are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

Lessons Learned: Copy-editing is Worth the Time

Nearly every session of RAPP, Accelerating Racial Justice, or RAPPORT, people use handouts in learning activities.  Nearly every one of these handouts has been created or adapted in house - we use a variety of resources from a variety of academic fields and try to tailor each handout specifically to the group and activity.

Poor formatting, grammatical errors, and typos can confuse participants or simply distract from the purpose of the activity.  Finding these errors while facilitating a session can be triggering - facilitators can feel "off their game," embarrassed, or get lost in negative self-talk.

In the planning process, allowing ourselves adequate time for developing and editing documents as a facilitation team can prevent these issues.  We try to go through all handouts together in at least one if not two planning meetings before using them in an actual session with the group.

Maggie, Keshar, Megan, and Jojo use a handout during the 2013 RAPPORT Retreat.

Lessons Learned is a RAPP Blog initiative intended for folks who hold formal leadership positions in RAPP programs to share what they're learning through their process.

Because You Can't Do RAPP's the Nine-Month... - Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice

Reposted and updated from June 2012:

Throughout our twenty-seven years at UC, RAPP's main program has been our academic year-long program.  In budgetary lean times, it's the core we keep alive.  It's arguably the origin of intergroup dialogue.  It's dynamic and ever evolving, ever improving.
It's also inaccessible to lots of students.

Under semesters, this is even more so an issue.  Previously, we were relatively easily able to accommodate folks who co-oped or interned out-of-town for a quarter.  Now that they're out for half the year instead of a third, we're much less able to do this.

This year, we moved back to having one group of 35 that meets throughout the year instead of two groups (which RAPP had for the previous four years and a total of six of our twenty-six years).  This means there's only one night for meetings:  Wednesday.

So, if you co-op/intern out of the city and/or are busy on Wednesdays, the nine-month program is not an option for you.

Don't worry - because Accelerating Racial Justice hopefully IS an option for you!

Accelerating Racial Justice is RAPP's newer five-day, four-night intensive.  For a week, you'll build community while enhancing your knowledge and skills around racial justice and inclusive leadership.

The intensive runs Monday, August 12th to Friday, August 16th.  Transportation to and from the retreat as well as meals, lodging, and supplies are provided at no charge to participants.  The only cost to you is your time!

Apply now for Accelerating Racial Justice!  Applications are due by 5PM on Friday, May 3rd!

Not available for a year-long program? No problem!  Spend a free week with us at Grailville Retreat Center through Accelerating Racial Justice!

How to Apply There are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

RAPP Lapel Pin Day - Thursday, April 18th!

RAPP Lapel Pin Day is a week away!

It's easy to participate in this, regardless whether you're on UC's campus that day or not.  Simply wear your RAPP lapel pin!

If you CAN come to Clifton campus, stop by the RAPP Office in 669 Steger Student Life Center.  We'll have a snacks, photo ops, and a RAPPfle (a RAPP raffle) between 10AM and 6PM.

If you can't, snap a picture of yourself with your lapel pin and post it on the RAPP Facebook fan page wall - we'll enter you in the RAPPfle when you do!

Need a RAPP lapel pin? Contact Rebecca at rebecca.lehman@uc.edu and/or stop by the RAPP Office!

RAPPfle winners will be announced here on the blog and contacted on Friday, April 19.

Focus Your Leadership Trajectory - Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice

Reposted and updated from June 2012:

As described before, RAPP's intensives help students expand their leadership skills and knowledge as well as provide time for reflection.  Combine that with a growing community, and you've got a great mix that often leads to a profound result:  A newly (or more clearly) defined path of where you want to go.

In RAPP we emphasize a multiplicity of meanings to everything.  While that can be frustrating at times to deal with, it also means that you'll be supported in whichever path you want to take your leadership.  You'll make connections to make your journey more successful (in whichever way you define success - which we'll encourage you to explore!).

So, participating in RAPP's 5-day summer intensive Accelerating Racial Justice will help you with your leadership journey in this way.  It also opens doors to leadership opportunities within RAPP.

By completing the 5-day you are considered a part of the RAPPORT community, just like students who complete RAPP's 9-month intensive.  You can then join the Social Justice League and earn a certificate as a RAPP Social Justice Peer Educator.  You can be a Peer Leader, a Facilitator, an Intern.  You can be on the committees that make major changes to RAPP, like the working group that created the 5-day itself.

So, apply now for Accelerating Racial Justice!  Applications are due Friday, May 3rd!

Rachel Berman (RAPP XXV, XXVI Peer Leader, WGSS Intern, working group) being recognized with the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences Spirit of Community award - just one of a dozen or so awards she's received recognizing her leadership and activism at UC!

Lane Hart (XXV) is the outgoing undergraduate student body president - he often cites RAPP as a pivotal part of his leadership development at UC!

Jamieson Williams (XXVII) & Laura Perez (XXVII) being recognized with the Terence L Jones Diversity Award for their leadership within their respective RAPP groups.  Jamieson was selected to represent campus leaders in the 2012-13 Activus and Laura was recently accepted into a competitive MSW program!

How to Apply There are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

Make Friends! - Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice

Reposted and updated from June 2012:

RAPP leaders work not only with our own programs (the 9-month intensive, RAPPORT, and the 5-day Accelerating Racial Justice), but work with the larger campus community through workshops.  Through this, we interact with over 1,500 people a year.

A common refrain we hear when working with groups is that we deepen their relationships through talking about "unmentionables."  Critical concepts like race and justice are oft on people's minds, but many of us find ourselves in spaces where we can't talk about them or feel safe talking about them.

By participating in Accelerating Racial Justice, you'll build friendships through meaningful connections in several ways:

• You'll meet 38 other Bearcats who are also interested in building their skills & knowledge around racial justice and inclusive leadership - a great commonality for first connections!
• You'll be supported by an experienced team through the usually challenging process of having meaningful conversations about personal experiences around race & exclusion with people of different races - a meaningful experience building a lasting connection!   The Accelerating Racial Justice process includes components on maintaining your connections after the five days are over.
• You'll build your own practice at having these conversations as well as leave with a group of new friends who have shared the experience - key skills and connections you'll take home with you!

Folks who participate in Accelerating Racial Justice are welcomed into the RAPP community, which I like to describe as hundreds strong and decades long (around 800 people have completed a RAPP intensive and we've been around for 27 years).  

Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice today!  Applications are due by 5PM on Friday, May 3rd!

Building friends through RAPP is both challenging and FUN!

How to Apply There are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

RAPPORT Year-End Celebration

On Monday, April 15, RAPPORT will be having its year-end celebration from 6PM-8PM in the open space on the 6th floor of the Steger Student Life Center. Come enjoy free food, reflect on the year, and recognize the graduation of the Social Justice League 2013!

Social Justice League 2012 Group Photo (Silly Pose)

Take a Free "Learning Vacation" - Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice

Reposted and updated from June 2012:

Students' lives are busy ones!  You work tirelessly to build harmony between a lot of competing priorities, such as classes & classwork, work-work, families, friends, hobbies, and more.  Taking a moment to stop in the go!-go!-go! life and reflect on that life is a rare luxury.

Accelerating Racial Justice invites you to take time this August 12-16 to stop, breathe, and reflect on yourself as a student leader and person.

We take participants to the beautiful Grailville Retreat Center in Loveland, OH, and house & feed you while there.

The RAPP mission is fighting oppression through individual awareness and collective action.  We lead you through activities that enhance your knowledge and skills around racial justice and inclusive leadership.  You learn and teach with a group of 38 other UC students, building a supportive and meaningful community.  You are given the time to focus on yourself - your whole self as a person, community member, leader, and learner.

This program is FREE for all UC students - graduate and undergraduate, all majors, all colleges, all campuses.  The only cost to you is your time.

Apply today for this free learning vacation!  Applications are due by 5PM on Friday, May 3rd!

How to Apply There are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

Enhance your Leadership through Inclusive Leadership - Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice

Reposted from June 2012:

RAPP is a programming area within the UC Office of Student Activities & Leadership Development.  The name describes exactly what we do:  Facilitate student activities and support students in developing as a leader.  Knowing our home, it's hopefully no surprise to you that leadership development is part of our student activity.  Being an SALD program is only one of many reasons why we emphasize leadership development.

There are as many philosophies to leadership as there are leaders.  The approach we emphasize in RAPP falls under the philosophy of inclusive leadership.  There are several definitions to this, but for today we'll summarize it as a practice that involves intentional focus on creating inclusion in all work for enhanced outcomes.

The new Accelerating Racial Justice 5-day summer intensive has two key foci:  Racial justice and inclusive leadership.  By participating in this program, you'll get to work intently on your knowledge and skills around these two and enhance your own leadership by learning how to integrate inclusive leadership skills and practices into your work.

As SALD says, leaders are made, not born.  Apply to Accelerating Racial Justice today to help make yourself as an inclusive leader!

The RAPP 2011-12 leadership team focused on continually developing our inclusive leadership skills.
Left to Right: Marjorie, Tyler, DeVorah, Rachel, Matthew, Wil, Mieshia, and Jojo.

How to ApplyThere are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.