Stand Against Racism Community-Wide Event at A-B Tech

A-B Tech Community College hosted a community-wide event in partnership with the YWCA to support the YWCA’s national campaign, Stand Against Racism. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness that racism still exists and can no longer be ignored or tolerated. At A-B Tech’s event, over 120 people attended activities.

To promote the event, James Lee, A-B Tech’s Workforce Outreach Coordinator, hosted YWCA’s Outeach Coordinator, Angel Redmond, and A-B Tech’s Training Design & Support Specialist, Page McCormick, on the No Limits radio show on WRES.

The focus of A-B Tech’s event was to help unemployed persons better understand what barriers they may encounter; employed persons better understand how they may influence change within their organizations; and employers and leaders to better understand how to intentionally support their minority employees, customers, students, clients, etc.

Dennis King, A-B Tech’s Interim President, started the event by saying, “We wanted to bring people of all races, classes, and states of employment together — the unemployed, under-employed and employed, as well as decision-makers who can offer employment opportunities.” The activities were designed to help participants understand how racism impacts employment and have discussions about solutions and best-practices.

King explained, “The goal of this year’s event is to inspire individuals and organizations to take steps over the next year to help eliminate racism.” The College’s value of inclusiveness and its strategic plan priority — cultivate collaborative relationships to promote and increase a culture of diversity among students, faculty, staff and community stakeholders — speak to A-B Tech’s commitment to doing this work.

Concurrent sessions included topics like Social Norms in the Professional Environment; Ouch, that Stereotype Hurts; and Mentoring and Sponsorship.

Kaye Waugh, A-B Tech’s Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, said, “Eighty-seven percent of the concurrent session presenters represented minority groups. Their involvement was key and was a way A-B Tech hoped to improve its relationships with the minority communities in Asheville.”

McCormick added, “The common theme, heard throughout the day and following the event, was let’s do more events like this.” A-B Tech plans to host more programs and events in the year to come to support the Stand Against Racism.

For more information or if you have questions contact Page McCormick, Training Design and Support Specialist, at (828) 398-7180 or [email protected].