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RECI participants

Facilitators Academy

*Registration is currently closed for the Facilitators Academy, please stay tuned for more information on our upcoming cohorts or contact us at RECI@pitt.edu*

About the Facilitators Academy

This five-day train-the-trainer program prepares participants to become certified facilitators of RECI’s Structured Cognitive Behavioral Training (SCBT) framework for racial equity consciousness development. Learn how to facilitate our signature cohort learning series, "Illuminating The Vaccine For Racism: Instituting A Structural Cognitive Behavioral Training Framework To Embody Grounded Personal and Collective Racial Equity Consciousness," and empower yourself and others to cultivate equitable, inclusive, and antiracist communities.

Systemic racism is an endemic public health crisis that harms the mental, emotional, and physical health of millions of people — especially but not exclusively people of color. This crisis is perpetuated through unconscious biases and behaviors, often thoughtlessly habitual, which produce and sustain racial inequities across multiple social sectors. 

To be antiracist is to vaccinate ourselves from the unconscious, passive perpetuation of racism by actively examining and changing our socialized assumptions, beliefs, and behaviors regarding race. To be antiracist is to develop and embody shared visions, narratives, and commitments towards realizing racial justice in the charge for racial equity. This transformative effort is catalyzed and sustained by the personal and collective development of our consciousness—our dispositions, knowledge, awareness, and skills—to contemplate and cultivate racial equity.

Program Objectives 

  1. Equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the SCBT framework for racial equity consciousness development and its systems thinking mental models. 
  2. Provide in-depth training in RECI's signature cohort learning series, enabling participants to facilitate workshops and dialogues on racial equity consciousness development. 
  3. Foster a supportive, collaborative learning community that encourages personal growth, reflection, and the sharing of experiences and perspectives. 
  4. Empower participants to become agents of change in their communities, driving antiracist initiatives and fostering more inclusive cultures. 

Who Should Participate?

  • Educators, trainers, and consultants looking to incorporate racial equity consciousness development into their curriculum or training programs. 
  • Community leaders, activists, and organizers seeking to drive transformative change and address racial disparities in their communities. 
  • HR professionals, diversity and inclusion practitioners, and executives looking to foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture. 
  • Individuals passionate about dismantling systems of oppression and fostering racial equity consciousness within their personal and professional spheres. 

What to Expect 

During the Academy, participants will engage in a variety of activities, including: 

  • Multimedia reviews and data analyses to deepen understanding of the SCBT framework and its systems thinking mental models. 
  • Small group dialogues to foster collaborative learning and sharing of experiences and perspectives. 
  • Reflective journaling prompts and narrative development exercises to encourage personal growth and self-awareness. 
  • Case studies and reflective activities to apply learned concepts in real-world scenarios. 
  • Debriefing and networking sessions to consolidate learning, plan for future actions, and cultivate communities of practice.

Participation Benefits 

  • Gain certification as a RECI Facilitator, enabling you to lead workshops and dialogues on racial equity consciousness development using RECI's signature cohort learning series (see certificate eligibility criteria below).
  • Receive a RECI facilitator workbook and access the RECI resource center, filled with resources to support your ongoing journey towards racial equity consciousness.

Certificate Eligibility Criteria

For all RECI Facilitator Academy cohort members, you must attend all dates and complete all discussion posts to receive a certificate.

RECI Facilitators Academy Registration

RECI Facilitators Academy is coordinated by the Center on Race and Social Problems at the University of Pittsburgh. As a non-profit, educational program, RECI Facilitators Academy is open to all individuals; no University affiliation is required.


RECI Facilitators Academy - Summer 2023 Recap

In 2023, around 80 people participated in the Pilot RECI Facilitators Academy at the University of Pittsburgh’s Center on Race and Social Problems. This week-long immersive learning experience prepared participants to become certified facilitators of RECI’s Structured Cognitive Behavioral Training (SCBT) framework for racial equity consciousness development. Participants learned how to facilitate our signature cohort learning series, "Illuminating The Vaccine For Racism: Instituting A Structural Cognitive Behavioral Training Framework To Embody Grounded Personal and Collective Racial Equity Consciousness," and empowered themselves and others to cultivate equitable, inclusive, and antiracist communities. We had a great week and are so proud of everyone who embarked on their journey towards racial equity consciousness. Together, we can illuminate pathways for positive change, empower our communities, and advance a more equitable and just society.