As part of the University of Miami’s ongoing commitment to combat institutionalized and systemic anti-Black racism on campus and in South Florida, the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, Multicultural Student Affairs, and the Butler Center for Service and Leadership have partnered to launch the Racial Justice Grant Program. Applications for the grants are being accepted through Friday, Jan. 15.
This new grant program is one of the featured ideas introduced in President Julio Frenk’s 15-Point Plan to support racial equality, inclusion, and justice across the institution and in the greater South Florida community. The grant program is designed to support research, service, and programmatic activities that focus on race, racial justice, and racial equity with a center on Black communities at and beyond the Coral Gables Campus.
“We hope students will recognize the important impact they can have by using their curiosity, dedication, research, and innovation skills to address pressing social issues like systemic racism,” said Robin Bachin, assistant provost for civic and community engagement and Charlton W. Tebeau associate professor of history.
University student organizations and individual courses in a variety of departments have always founded projects that have benefitted the community at the University. The program reaffirms the University’s commitment to racial and ethnic equality, said Renee Callan, executive director of student life.
“I hope that students will be inspired to educate themselves even further on issues that are impacting our communities. I hope that they are able to make meaningful connections with faculty and staff and students and community members and be creative,” said Callan.
The grants will support interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff, community partners, and students to implement tangible initiatives to challenge anti-Black racism and empower Black communities on and off campus. Interested applicants must be enrolled as full-time students or be full-time faculty or staff members. Award amounts will range from $500-$5,000.
Chris Clarke, director of Multicultural Student Affairs, said he is hopeful that the program will help build relationships across spaces at and surrounding the University of Miami.
“I’m hoping that regardless of the outcome—the groups that are funded or not funded—that this experience of putting together a proposal and going through that process is not understated,” according to Clarke. He said that allowing students to be themselves, getting out of their way, and ”giving them a chance to tell us how we can better our communities” should produce great ideas. “I’m looking forward to seeing how those pieces come together,” he added.
For additional information, email racialjusticegrants@miami.edu or visit the Office of the President website.
