Context

Racial Equity can be defined as “a state in which life outcomes are no longer predictable by race.” Forward Through Ferguson works to catalyze a St. Louis where systems work well for people of all races. This transformative vision centers a St. Louis where race and zip code will no longer influence life outcomes like obtaining a quality education, earning a living wage, and having affordable housing in a safe neighborhood. The Build Racial Equity Capacity strategy from FTF’s #STL2039 Action Plan includes conducting workshops, interventions, and assessments that support institutional transformation.

Wayfinder

FTF acts as a wayfinder, not as a replacement for diversity, equity, and inclusion trainers. We help people and institutions find their starting point, strategize the journey forward, create next practices, and discover how to be a radically accountable partner in systems change.

#STL2039 Workshops

Two consecutive 4-hour days for teams of 3-5 (e.g. Wednesday and following Wednesday)

Participants are invited to attend in teams of three to five from their institution to this two-day workshop on systemic, actionable Racial Equity visioning. Facilitators will leverage materials from the Ferguson Commission Report, FTF’s Path to Racial Equity Tool, the #STL2039 Action Plan, and more. Participants will determine and name the role their organization can play in accelerating action towards #STL2039 — a racially equitable St. Louis region by 2039. Please note that there is a week in between the dates of the workshop modules to allow participants to share learnings with their organizations and build the responses.

Outcomes — What will we do?

• Establish shared language and understanding around Racial Equity and systems change
• Conduct a condensed organizational assessment of systemic barriers facing your work and outline strategies to address them
• Draft an initial, outcomes-based #STL2039 vision for your organization in alignment with the Ferguson Commission’s Calls to Action

Application & Fees: Workshop fee is $2,950.00 per team (group of max 5 people). Limited scholarships available.

Path to Racial Equity Workshops (NEW)

The Path to Racial Equity Workshop is a 5-hour workshop designed to ground participants in the foundational tenets of FTF’s theory of change, as explicitly tied to the context of their sector or field. Facilitators will offer shared learning, engage participants in application activities, and guide the groups in a radically candid reflection on where participants are on their journey to moving further along the continuum towards Racial Equity. 

Outcomes – What will we learn?

• Gain knowledge of shared language on concepts connecting racial equity, systems change, and field-specific strategies for achieving Racial equity
• Gain awareness of the systemic landscape that fuels racial inequities in their sector
• Develop a high-level strategy to leverage their skills and tools to impact Racial Equity over time
• Receive an overview of FTF action-oriented toolkits, other curated materials centered in transformational practices

REGISTER FOR THE PATH TO RACIAL EQUITY WORKSHOP:

BIOTECH & STEM Professionals-

Sponsored by BioSTL, Danforth Plant Science Center, and Cortex Innovation Community.

Please email faybra@forwardthroughferguson.org to inquire about registration.

Systems Change Primer

A 3.5-hour workshop for individuals.

The Systems Change Primer is a workshop (presented virtually in 2022) designed to refresh and reiterate the key tenets of Systems Change methodology as explicitly tied to achieving Racial Equity. Facilitators will offer a shared learning and guide the participants in a radically candid discussion on the strategies needed for systemic advocacy of Racial Equity.

Outcomes—What will we do?

• Build shared language on key Systems Change and Racial Equity definitions
• Build awareness of the systemic landscape that fuels racial inequities in the St. Louis Region
• Practice Intergroup Dialogue and problem solving utilizing Systems Change frameworks

Registration & Fees: Systems Change Primer is $150 per individual registrant. Team members within an institution, collaborative partnerships, or institutions from the same sector are encouraged to apply and participate together.

_{*To inquire about scholarships or to receive an invoice or arrange payment by cash or check, please contact faybra@forwardthroughferguson.org.}

Racial Equity Roundtable

Racial Equity Roundtable applications are now open and can be accessed here!

The deadline to submit a Cross Sector Roundtable Application is May 25, 2023 at 11PM CT.

Register now for the 2023 Racial Equity Roundtable Info Session by visiting bit.ly/RERT-Info-2023.

The Session will occur virtually on Zoom on Friday, March 10, 2023 at 9:30am CT and will include time for Q&A.

Yearly membership starting September 2023.

Cross Sector Roundtable

The Cross Sector Roundtable is a membership-based, 10-month equity engagement opportunity. Institutions of varying identities will convene to problem-solve, self-assess, build relationships, and expand their depth of Racial Equity understanding and practice. The shared learnings, case studies, and follow-up tasks are aimed to catalyze shifts in organizational development and transformation work.

Cross Sector Roundtable Application Info

Applications are now open and can be accessed here!

The deadline to submit a Cross Sector Roundtable Application is May 25, 2023 at 11PM CT.

Membership in the Cross Sector Roundtable is limited to two representatives of your organization, at least one of whom is in leadership. If you have any questions, please contact faybra@forwardthroughferguson.org and sarah@forwardthroughferguson.org.

Check out our 2022 recorded Cross Sector Roundtable informational session here:

Philanthropy Roundtable (NEW)

The Philanthropy Cohort is dedicated to Funders, Foundations, Grantwriters, Fund Managers, and others in related roles to provide an accountable, dedicated space for philanthropists to collaborate, strategize, and set priorities that center Racial Equity. This cohort will meet monthly for 9 months. 

Outcomes—What will you get?

• Individualized Case Study of institution for group analysis, support, and peer learning 
• Individualized Action Plan for internal and external organizational development for Racial Equity impact.
• Leadership development leveraging Transformational, Antiracist, and Systems Change strategies 
• Model frameworks for Intergroup Dialogue and Culture-building
• An accountable and radically collaborative network of organizational leaders
• First access to new FTF toolkits and resources for Racial Equity action planning and transformation

Philanthropy Sector Roundtable Application Info

Applications are now closed until the next cycle.

Email faybra@forwardthroughferguson.org if you have any questions. 

Check out our recorded 2022 Philanthropy Roundtable informational session here:

Racial Equity Roundtable Applications & Eligibility: 

Both Racial Equity Roundtable Cohorts will be facilitated virtually in 2023-24. 

Applications are now closed.

The Philanthropy Roundtable requires at least one participant and may not exceed three. If you have any questions, please contact faybra@forwardthroughferguson.org.

Fees

The membership fee for the Philanthropy Cohort is $15,000. Fees for the Cross Sector Cohort are listed in the application, and are on a sliding scale by sector. Limited scholarships available. 

Racial Equity Capacity Assessment

A Facilitated Assessment for an Organization, Coalition, or Partnership

The Racial Equity Capacity Assessment process surveys stakeholders within an organization, coalition, or partnership. The assessment (facilitated virtually in 2022) is designed to clearly identify the entity’s current capacity and starting point in order to reveal key areas of focus for ongoing Racial Equity capacity-building.

Outcomes—What will you get?

• Facilitated preliminary conversation on desired outcomes and customization
• Presentation to survey participants to establish shared language and terms
• Completed Racial Equity Capacity Assessment with stakeholders
• Guided conversation to understand results and strategize initial next steps
• Written final report with key recommendations

Registration & Fees: The Racial Equity Assessment process fees based on number of participants and customization, beginning at $10,000 for up to 50 process participants. Contact faybra@forwardthroughferguson.org to inquire about the assessment offerings.

General Consultation

General Consultations assist organizations through FTF’s systems-change approach to Racial Equity. Our General Consultations are not Diversity and Inclusion training or a substitution for explicit level-setting within your organization. We are committed to supporting organizations’ work as wayfinders and guides who will help you own the trajectory of your institution’s Path to Racial Equity.

Outcomes—What will you get?

• Facilitated, collaborative planning time to build your capacity for Racial Equity utilizing a systems-change lens
• Application of the principles of Racial Equity work to a particular initiative within your institution
• Connections to services offered by local DEI and Organizational Development practitioners or potential sector-based partners
• Racial Equity Action Planning
• Customized versions of FTF workshops facilitated for individual institutions

Inquiries: General Consultations are offered on a case by case basis. Contact faybra@forwardthroughferguson.org to inquire about consultation services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forward Through Ferguson?

Forward Through Ferguson (FTF) was established as a 501(c)3 to be a catalyst for lasting positive change in the St. Louis region as outlined in the Ferguson Commission Report. Embracing the Commission’s mandate. FTF centers impacted communities and mobilizes accountable bodies to advance racially equitable systems and policies that ensure all people in the St. Louis region can thrive.

Is FTF a diversity and inclusion trainer?

No. FTF does not operate as a diversity and inclusion trainer or practitioner. FTF was created to carry forth the community insight and vision of the Ferguson Commission, which identified the need for defining the path for individuals, organizations and institutions, and the region to move from awareness of racial inequities to transformational action that eliminates those inequities.

We are invested in building St. Louis’ muscle for activating on Racial Equity and Systems Change. In practice, this means we’ve served as infrastructure builders and “wayfinders”—helping organizations, institutions, and sectors assess where they are, orient themselves on the path to Racial Equity, develop a plan of action, and connect to capacity-building resources (including trainers, specialists, tools and models).

Who does FTF work with?

Forward Through Ferguson, in the tradition of the Ferguson Commission, works with organizations across traditional power hierarchies and sectors while working to maintain ultimate accountability to affected communities of color. FTF has worked with service and advocacy nonprofits, grassroots organizations, government offices and officials, foundations, research institutions, school districts, and corporations.

Tools and Frameworks

Part of our mission is to capture learnings and outcomes into tools for catalysts across the region, of all kinds, who want to advance Racial Equity. Some of the Racial Equity tools we’ve helped produce include:

• The Path to Racial Equity Worksheet
• Advancing Positive Change Toolkit
• Six-Month Racial Equity Foundation
• #STL2039 Action Plan
• State of the Report: Tracking Implementation on the Ferguson Commission Report
• St. Louis City Equity Indicators Dashboard
• Regional Equity Indicators Dashboard
• State of St. Louis: State of Police Reform