the Antiracism Course
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Selam DebsSelam Debs is a Black Ethiopian queer woman and mother who has supported over 3,000 individuals in antiracism, anti-oppression and equity training.
Selam has worked with companies including Lululemon and not-for-profits like Lutherwood, Carizon, Family & Children Services, and John Howard Society. The Antiracism Course has guided municipal libraries, schools and for-profits with over 400 employees through coaching sessions and training. Selam approaches her training and coaching with embodied compassion by calling in each person to their fullest humanity. |
In early August, an Anti-racism online learning series was rolled out to our Early Years community through a partnered approach with the Region of Waterloo Children’s Services and the Early Childhood Professional Resource Centre (ECPRC).
This work highlights the importance of collective community resources to support Equity and Responsiveness across all early years and child care programs. By everyone in the early years’ sector taking the same training, we will have a shared foundational knowledge, as well as a shared language for which we can engage in conversation and work toward collective action.
As this online training unfolds, we have heard from the community more supports are required as each participant goes through a process of “unlearning”. This process involves dismantling and letting go of our previously held beliefs and practices to make space for new concepts and ways of thinking. We want to reacknowledge that this process of “unlearning” can be very difficult and can lead to feelings of discomfort. We encourage you to lean into the discomfort and access the supports available.
This work highlights the importance of collective community resources to support Equity and Responsiveness across all early years and child care programs. By everyone in the early years’ sector taking the same training, we will have a shared foundational knowledge, as well as a shared language for which we can engage in conversation and work toward collective action.
As this online training unfolds, we have heard from the community more supports are required as each participant goes through a process of “unlearning”. This process involves dismantling and letting go of our previously held beliefs and practices to make space for new concepts and ways of thinking. We want to reacknowledge that this process of “unlearning” can be very difficult and can lead to feelings of discomfort. We encourage you to lean into the discomfort and access the supports available.
