Episode 51: Start your anti-racism journey with Regina Jackson from Race2Dinner

Embracing Only

In this episode of the Embracing Only Podcast with Archita Fritz and Olivia Cream, Regina Jackson of Race2Dinner helps us deconstruct what being a true ally is. She leads off with how her work alongside Sair Rao is not steeped in niceness because being nice has not stopped racism.

Through her work and lived experiences over the last 72 years she is on a mission to change the status quo she co-founded Race2Dinner with Saira Roa. They took the experiences from these dinners and developed a documentary with filmmaker Patty Ivins called Deconstructing Karen.

In the words of the filmaker’s themselves “It is a provocative documentary, white women experience RADICAL HONESTY ABOUT RACISM…their daily role in upholding it, their conditioning to ignore it and the essential part they can play in tearing down the systems that are killing black and brown people every single day.”

How does this translate into the workplace?

• It provides thought-provoking questions to consider if you call yourself an Ally at work

• It challenges you to start with yourself in deconstructing your beliefs and triggers first

• It leaves us with key messages to ACT as there is urgency in having honest discussion however uncomfortable that makes us feel. Only then can we seek to make the impact we seek within the Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s) or diverse teams we are leading in organizations.

• Finally, a recognition that is a constant journey of learning, recognition and evolution

If you are ready to join in on this journey to deconstruct your own racism we encourage you to engage in the following way.

• Purchase their book “White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better”. You can purchase it here or anywhere you read books. https://www.amazon.com/White-Women-Everything-Already-Racism-ebook/dp/B09RPPV3B8

• Watch their movie “Deconstructing Karen”. You can watch it by purchasing it on iTunes or on YouTube

• Engage with the Race2Dinner Community if you recognize as a white woman. If you are ready to unravel, connect and commit. You can buy one for yourself and gift one to another friend here through January 2023. https://www.race2dinner.com/race2community.

• Register for the Race2Dinner Self Actualization Program if you identify as a person of color. An opportunity to dive deep, live authentically and free. https://www.race2dinner.com/race2selfactualization

• Host a Race2Dinner with a group of your girlfriends. Reach out to Saira Rao and Regina Jackson here. They have SOLD Out of their dinner in 2023 but be on the watch out for more in 2024

About Embracing "ONLY"

Welcome to Embracing Only, the podcast dedicated to empowering women in the workplace by sharing inspiring stories from diverse women who’ve defied the odds in their careers.

Each episode spotlights women in leadership, providing insights into their journeys and the leadership skills they’ve developed along the way. With a focus on career development for women of color, we offer actionable career advice for women to help them navigate challenges and thrive professionally.

Join us as we create a supportive community for women to rise, claim their power, thrive as "an only" in the workplace, and lead with purpose.