Anti-Racism Resources & Tools
The Opportunity Network is committed to our Active Core Value to Center Social and Racial Equity Relentlessly through our pedagogical practices, engagement activities, and programming. We recognize our country’s long history of structural oppression and deeply rooted racism and brutality, and have compiled the below anti-racism resources for our students, families, and fellow educators.
We will continue to update this list as we become aware of resources.
For Fellows, Alumni, and Families:
Anti-racism reading/watching/listening recommendations:
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
TED Talks to help you understand racism in America by TED
Resources on Taking Action by the Obama Foundation
An Antiracist Reading List for Children by EmbraceRace
Learn about unconscious bias by Unconscious Bias Project
When They See Us (Netflix) by Ava DuVernay
Just Mercy based on the book by Bryan Stevenson
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho (@themanacho)
What so many get wrong about racism in the workplace by Amy Rigby (Fingerprint for Success)
Allyship:
Guide to Non-optical Allyship by @mireillecharper
20+ Allyship Actions for Asians to Show Up for the Black Community Right Now by Michelle Kim
A Guide to Supporting Grieving Black Communities by @grieftips
Self-care and wellness:
Sunshine Behavioral Health's Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community Guide
NAMI on African American Mental Health
PROTECT YOUR ENERGY: Canned responses for when calling in Black is not enough
Celebrating and promoting Black businesses, artists, writers:
Black Owned Bookstores in the United States by African American Literature Book Club
Black-Owned Restaurants in the United States by MUNCHIES Staff
For Educators:
Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources by Stamborski, M. Div Candidate (2022), Nikki Zimmermann, M. Div candidate (2021), Bailie Gregory, M. Div, M.S. Ed.
My Role in a Social Change Ecosystem by Deepa Iyer
Resources for Talking about Race, Racism, and Racialized Violence with Kids by Center for Racial Justice in Education
Diversity Toolkit: A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege by MSW@USC, the online Master of Social Work program at the University of Southern California
Past Community Statements (2020-2021):
Community Statement – May 25, 2021 (includes resources and ways to help)
Community Statement – March 19, 2021 (includes resources and ways to help)
Community Statement – February 19, 2021 (includes resources and ways to help)
Community Statement – January 7, 2021
Community Statement – November 5, 2020
Community Statement – August 28, 2020
Community Statement from OppNet’s Board of Directors
Community Statement – May 29, 2020 (includes resources and ways to help)
Below are black-led organizations and initiatives that we respect, admire, and learn from. We implore all of us to follow their lead, so we can make unraveling racism a daily practice, starting with our own education.
Black Futures Lab & Alicia Garza
Black Mama's Bail Outs by National Bail Out
Campaign Zero & Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Chicago Beyond’s “Why Am I Always Being Researched?” Guidebook
Center for Racial Justice in Education
Equal Justice Initiative and Bryan Stevenson’s Ted Talk
