‘Possibility and Power’
YWCA celebrates decade of Reading to End Racism
By Shay Castle - November 21, 2023
Boulder Weekly (cover story)
Twenty-five years ago, a group of retired teachers decided to do something about the racial discrimination and bullying they saw in their classrooms. So they founded Reading to End Racism (RER), a program that sends volunteers into schools to share stories and lead conversations about the importance of diversity, inclusion, kindness and active intervention.
YWCA Boulder County first supported RER by providing office space. In 2013, the program was formally adopted, and volunteers began reading books and holding discussions with elementary school students throughout Boulder Valley School District (BVSD).
“It aligned with our mission,” says YWCA’s Director of Community Engagement and Equity Shiquita Yarbrough. The organization’s mission is twofold: Empower women and end racism.
“Those stories are very important because kids relate to them,” Yarbrough says. “When they can relate, they’ll listen.”
In the 10 years since RER was implemented locally, more than 29,000 BVSD students have participated. To mark the anniversary, YWCA is hosting program founder Daniel Escalante at the Boulder Public Library (event details below).
Boulder Weekly asked Yarbrough 10 questions about books, beliefs and having hard conversations.
Continue reading this article at https://boulderweekly.com/news/reading-to-end-racism/