IA’s Commitment to Racial Equity

IA’s Commitment to Interfaith Leadership & Racial Equity

We at IA are outraged at the death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers. Over the past weeks, we have joined the swelling ranks of those who demand justice for Mr. Floyd as well as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Rayshard Brooks, and the long list of names of those who have died, or whose lives have been destroyed because of police brutality and entrenched racism. We will honor their lives with our words, but more importantly, with our actions. We believe in the essential contributions of countless religious and philosophical traditions that affirm the dignity and justice for every human being. In this critical moment, IA affirms and supports work for racial equity and the truth that Black Lives Matter.

IA is committed to interfaith leadership in what is the most religiously diverse nation in the world. Mobilizations of movements for a better world have, in part, been fueled by interfaith cooperation. IA acknowledges we have work to do, both internally and in our programmatic offerings, and we are committed to the movement for Black lives in America.

In the coming year, IA commits to the following actions:

• Support IA alumni who are working at the intersection of interfaith cooperation and racial justice through grant opportunities, professional development funds, and community conversations.
• Offer program grants to undergraduate students who will use their interfaith leadership to advance racial justice.
• Provide financial assistance and incentives to faculty and staff to develop courses and co-curricular programs at the intersection of racial equity and interfaith cooperation.
• Prioritize Black leadership while also emphasizing the responsibility of white people and individuals of all racial backgrounds to advance racial equity.
• Facilitate a task force of senior leaders across higher education that will make recommendations on racial equity and interfaith cooperation amidst the dual watershed moments of racial justice movements and Covid-19.
• Feature Black religious and interfaith leaders on IA’s platform Interfaith America and host a series of public conversations engaging the intersection of anti-racism and interfaith activism.
• Engage external partners to help guide anti-racism work with IFYC staff.

While this is a time of pain and protest, it is also a time of hope and action. The demonstrations on the streets, and the long years of organizing, have inspired wider spheres across social sectors, including organizations like ours, to take action to combat racism. IA is committed to the transformation of America into the promise of what it can be but has not yet been. We look forward to working with and learning from organizations and leaders around the country who are inspiring the just renewal of our nation.