New Conversations about Race and Racism®

Are you ready to talk about race?

In order to create opportunities to talk about racism, The Saint Paul Foundation has created the New Conversations about Race and Racism® discussion tool.

New Conversations is designed for use by neighbors, friends, family members, co-workers, members of faith communities and civic and recreational clubs. The primary audience is people who may not have thought a lot about race and racism.

During the course of New Conversations, participants watch scenarios on DVD and complete activities designed to help them explore and understand their perspectives and behaviors on the issue of race and racism.

Our goal is to encourage thousands of individuals to take part in New Conversations. The tool is available free of charge to individuals and organizations in Minnesota. You may host and facilitate your own conversation using the materials.

To order your New Conversations discussion tool, please call us at 651.325.4265.

The New Conversations tool is divided into three modules, plus an actors take. Each module can be completed in one hour. Groups may spend more time if they choose to do so.

Modules 1 and 2: Patricia's Party
The first two modules take place at a co-worker's birthday party. As the issue of racism arises at the party, you will learn from guests' reactions about how to share personal histories, assume good intent, double-check assumptions and address behavior that makes you uncomfortable.

Module 3: New Conversations in Action
Watch some of the same characters from Patricia's Party address racism in their professional lives. Learn how they use New Conversations methods to speak out against racism.

Extra: Actors Take (12 minutes)
This extra feature contains interviews with the actors who share their personal experiences with racism and lessons they learned while working on this project.