South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race

We aspire to be a community that is a model for the nation in which people of different races, ethnic groups and backgrounds can interact, form friendships and participate fully in the community’s economic, political, civic, educational and cultural life. We have been working on integration for 20 years. Demographic research is conducted to assess progress and the results from motivated the board of trustees to establish two initiatives that all programs, research, and community action will focus on: 1) to strengthen the community’s commitment to racial and cultural inclusion of all people of color by challenging the community power structures (government, school system, realtors, businesses, media, key leaders) to rectify disparities; and 2) to ensure the sustainability of racial integration by supporting the current population of Black people and by developing strategies to increase the rate of Black in-movers. In addition, our community raised concerns that need the Coalition’s attention and focus: lack of equity and integration in the schools; classroom segregation at the high school; not enough social integration opportunities for people of all ages; the need to include people of color on municipal boards and PTAs; ongoing biases reflected in community interactions—among neighbors and people in critical roles like police officers—and so much more.

The Community Coalition on Race is committed to building a unique, suburban community that is free of racial segregation in housing patterns and community involvement, in a community that 42% People of Color. We work throughout our community—with the school district, neighborhood associations, government entities, realtors, faith institutions, and our arts and cultural resources—to leverage change toward racial inclusion.
We know that persistence and a well-defined plan and focus on the mission is critical to creating long-lasting change. Through our programming and advocacy over the last 10 years we fostered the growth of authentic relationships among people of different racial and cultural backgrounds in our towns, and helped residents advance in their commitment to diversity by raising consciousness on issues like implicit bias, white privilege, and profiling. The Coalition on Race advocates for equity and excellence in the schools and the elimination of the achievement gap and makes connections with groups around the state and across the country who are looking to engage their own communities and organizations in intentional integration. Within our towns and in other communities, the Coalition on Race develops and provides anti-bias training for businesses, schools, and organizations.

We use education events, in depth trainings, and facilitated conversation to build a network of informed, active, and engaged residents committed to the goals of racial integration and inclusion. We work to enable an active citizenry who can bring that message into multiple places of power: elected offices, boards of civic organizations, businesses, schools, and houses of worship. Each year we host at least 5 well-attended community conversations and 35 educational events (from 80-250 attendees each) around race at which we ensure racially-integrated, table discussions. We challenge the school district to to adopt policies and practices that promote an equitable and excellent education for all students, and that support a diverse teaching and administrative staff. We conduct demographic research and assessments to gauge levels of racial diversity, engagement, and empowerment, and to monitor residential integration patterns. We do all of this work with a small trained staff and many talented volunteers.

Racial integration and diverse participation is rare in suburban towns due to longstanding segregationist policies throughout the nation. We strive every day to reverse those patterns. We are guided by the principle of intentional integration in all areas of community life. We focus on those areas that need our attention most and we base that on research and community outreach.
Our current research shows that housing affordability is a critical issue for retaining residents and attracting in-movers in a range of socio-economic groups. Research also shows that we have an increase in Asian and Hispanic populations who need to be included in integration strategies. We continue to strive to create: 1. consistent, realizable, and successful pathways to engagement, volunteerism, and shared leadership in the civic life of our community; 2. Integrated and equitable schools and classrooms led by teachers and administrators who focus on the needs of all children.