Short History of the "Institutes"
Since 1999 when the Woodrick Institute (WI) first began conducting its Two-Day Institutes for Healing Racism (IHR) for CEOs and Executives, the WI has become well-kown for putting on quality sessions that challenge participants to discover and confront the reality of racism in the United States. The WI pioneered the two-day Institute format in West Michigan with great success. Now, more than 1,000 people from all over the United States have been impacted through participation in a Woodrick Institute IHR.

The Institutes for Healing Racism first began in the mid 1980s in the Houston, TX area in response to racial incidents in that community. Those first few multi-week sessions were successful in getting many people to confront racism and its negative impact on ALL people. So much so that KKK members even renounced their membership in the KKK after attending a full session.

The transformative potential of the "Institutes" (or Dialogues on Racism) propelled it beyond the Houston community and now many communities in the U.S. and the world provide Institutes for Healing Racism. Though present in the Grand Rapids area in the early 1990s, its use as a tool to confront racism in West Michigan did not truly take-off until 1994 when Bob Woodrick, then CEO and Chairman of locally owned D & W Food Centers, brought Nathan Rutstein to Grand Rapids to speak to area business leaders. Mr. Rutstein is author of "Healing Racism in America: A Prescription for the Disease." Within that book is a skeletal framework of how to conduct an Institute.

With the assistance and leadership of the CEO Cultural Diversity Council of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and the vision of then Chamber president Milt Rowher, the Employers Coalition for Healing Racism of the GR Chamber was developed and became instrumental in getting the word out and conducting Institutes for Healing Racism. It is estimated that nearly 4,000 people in the West Michigan community have now attended an "Institute" whether it be through the Woodrick Institute or the many other organizations that conduct IHRS. Many of us who work in this area believe we are now getting close to what Malcom Gladwell calls the "tipping point"--the point at which a new idea, innovation, product or movement has enough momentum to "tip" a mass of people who were once resistant.

Overview of an "Institute for Healing Racism"
The Institutes for Healing Racism has been called a powerful method for addressing and confronting racism from both white and non-white perspectives. A primary objective of the Institutes is to help participants gain a better understanding of how racism is played out in everyday life-at home, in the workplace, in educational institutions, government, etc.

The Institutes explores the "dis-ease" of racism and how this "dis-ease" affects everyone-regardless of color. Not only do the Institutes provide a potent examination of racism, it also provides an equally potent exploration of how we can all become positive change agents (or anti-racist allies) in dismantling racism--wherever we are.

Many participants have called the Institutes "life-changing", "powerful" and "something they believe everyone should experience." Over the course of two days, participants are confronted with the reality of racism in its many forms, from the obviously overt to the more sophisticated, subtle forms. Participants who participate in an IHR with an open mind and a curiosity for learning will at the very least walk away with their "lenses" on the world forever changed.

With the use of story-telling, interactive exercises, role playing, videos and active dialogue, the Institutes have brought about a greater appreciation for why racism needs more careful, intentional and urgent attention by individuals, organizations and whole communities.

Participants in the Institutes will look at:

• The development of racial prejudice and racism in U.S. culture
• The invisibility of racism
• Intentional and unintentional discrimination
• Institutionalized racism
• The effects of racism on ALL people
• How to become "Allies" in the fight against racism

The goal of the Institutes is to provide a safe place where participants can come together to share their thoughts, feelings and attitudes about racism and racial prejudice--a place where no one is attacked, but where everyone is positively challenged. In creating such an environment, the outcome for many is a transformative experience that brings the issue of racism from a cognitive, conceptual and analytical level to a more affective, operational and heart-felt level. It has been the experience of many that it takes this type of movement to bring about lasting, observable change.

Comments from Participants

• "I thought I knew about racism. I found out I knew very little... It's opened my eyes."
• "It's changed my life. I'll never be the same."
• "Everyone should have to to attend an Institute. It was a powerful, moving experience that opened my eyes to the reality of racism."
• "Thank you for this experience. I needed a shot in the arm on this issue."
• "I don't know how I could have been so blind to something that I now know happens on a regular basis."
• "This (IHR) has forced me to question all my existing perspectives and beliefs about racism."
• "Dr. Robbins is a master at creating a safe environment where people are positively challenged to see the world a little differently... I have never had a better facilitator on this or any other issue."
• "I have attended other racism workshops and they do not compare to this. Dr. Robbins was the key ingredient in the process... his expertise, knowledge and ability to present tough isues are by far, the best I have seen.."

The Institute for Healing Racism is a 2-day workshop most often held on Thursday and Friday. The first day runs from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM and the second day runs from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

The 2004 fee for Institute is $300/for-profit and $200/non-profit and includes continental breakfast, lunch and snacks for both days. If you know you will be sending at least ten (10) people to an Institute in 2004, you an sign up for our Multiple Participant Package (MPP) rate of $250/for-profit and $175/non-profit. The MPP must be paid for in advance. Please contact Steve Robbins for details at 616-632-2176 or email him.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made more than 4 weeks in advance of your registered session will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between 2-4 weeks will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be made for cancellations made within 2 weeks of the session. Please do not ask us to make exceptions.

2004 (Jan-June) Schedule of Institutes (second half 2004 schedule available soon)
(Additional Institutes may be added and locations may change as necessary)

If you would like to register, please contact Tawanna Harris at 616-62-2177 or by email to receive a registration form.

For more information, contact Dr. Steve Robbins at 616.632.2176 or email at robbiste@aquinas.edu.