Supporting Institutional Change through Interracial Dialogue among Leaders

Abstract

This paper elucidates how using a dialogic approach to interracial conversations supported two cohorts of campus leaders to engage in organizational change. Dialogue centralizes relationship-building as a key mechanism for addressing organizational problems collaboratively. This paper describes the processes undertaken and lessons learned in the interracial dialogue program, which could serve as a guide for institutions of higher education (IHE) interested in anti-racism work. Findings include the ways relationships supported growth in understanding of the racialized experiences of BIPOC participants, differences in emotional taxation for participants given their racial identities, and the importance of acknowledging pain before moving towards change.