Conversations About Race & Belonging: Parents Program (“Parents Program”) is a structured, intensive program that lays the groundwork for productive and honest discussions about racism and race, identity, equity, and belonging. This program focuses on providing parents with the knowledge and skills needed to initiate and engage in these critical but often difficult conversations with people who may hold perspectives different from their own. The curriculum will use various resources from scholars and authors of color to frame the conversation and help develop strong cohorts who feel empowered to participate in public discussions (such as at PTA and school board meetings).

The Parents Program comprises six in person bi-weekly sessions, and a retreat before Session 1. There is also a Community Immersion session where participants meet with community stakeholders (teachers, administrators, other parents, and students) to share and listen to stories about lived experiences of racism and race, implicit bias, privilege, and belonging.

Program leadership is currently coordinating future opportunities for programing. Keep a look out for updates forthcoming.

Our facilitators have 30-year careers as educators, peer trainers, counselors, and program designers in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, trained in SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), and Results-Based Facilitation. Mr. Cotman is the co-author of Gaining on the Gap: Changing Hearts, Minds and Practices and is the recipient of multiple honors, including the 2019 Virginia Region IV Teacher of the Year. Ms. Benites trained in Restorative Practices with the International Institute of Restorative Practices, and among other honors, has been awarded the White House Champions of Change Award. As facilitators, Mr. Cotman and Ms. Benites continue to empower and engage parents, students, and community members in conversations about racism, race, and the possibilities for change.

As Project Manager for Open Horizon’s Parent Conversations About Race & Belonging, Ms. Chang combines more than 20 years of experience as a policy analyst, a founding member and curriculum director of a non-profit organization created to educate and engage parents on racism and race, a program designer, and a facilitator to bring Conversations About Race and Belonging to parents, students, educators, and faith communities. Ms. Chang develops and manages programs reflecting her experience as an Asian American and mother of bi-racial twins, centered on restorative and relational storytelling and skill-building around reflective listening.

This program is a partnership between Open Horizon, a small family foundation based in Northern VA, and Conversations About Race & Belonging, a network of facilitators who design and lead learning programs.