Thank you so much for your interest in getting involved with Race Project KC, an initiative of Johnson County Library. We believe libraries play a crucial role in combating discrimination, and that starts with the work of our dedicated staff who offer safe and respectful spaces for civic discourse, who develop a collection that represents all viewpoints, and who provide access to information for all, regardless of race, age, background or beliefs.
Apply to our 2021-2022 cohorts!
The tentative program this year will include a half-day, virtual workshop in November, three full-day, in-person workshops in the spring, and a culminating symposium at the end of April. Workshops will occur in cohort groups and the symposium will include all participating schools at once. We have set ourselves the task of including more schools in this year’s activities than ever before. That said, we have capacity limitations and can only offer so much—the application process helps us determine which schools will be a part of the program for the year. We’ll be looking for thoughtful responses and a strong commitment to the program. The application process also helps us put schools into cohorts to create richer experiences for the students. The Kansas City community exists in a state of informal segregation, divided by invisible boundaries. One of Race Project KC’s primary goals has always been helping students cross those boundaries to meet peers they otherwise might not and giving them the opportunity to create relationships they wouldn’t discover otherwise. Applications are due by October 1.
Students - If you are a student, we are excited to hear from you! To get your school involved, your first step is to find a teacher sponsor. Many of our schools participate through a diversity club, BSU or LSU, so that might be a good place to start. If you have questions or need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us jcl-raceproject@jocogov.org.
Teachers - During the 2020-21 school year we convened four cohorts of eleven high schools, whose events were cut short when the pandemic hit in March 2020. We offered a fully virtual set of experiences between November 2020 & April 2021. The library featured educators, subject experts, authors, and community partners to provide the virtual workshop and symposium. If you are interested in participating during the 2021 - 2022 school year, please contact us at jcl-raceproject@jocogov.org. We will accept applications for new cohorts in August 2021.
