Race Matters in School Communities: Join the Conversation

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The Counseling Alliance of Virginia (CAVA), in partnership with the Office of Community Engagement, Families Helping Families, and ACPS Family Council, invites participation in a series of unique and powerful conversations to inspire positive changes for racial awareness, sensitivity and responsibility in our region. We are looking for a representative from each school in our division to engage in these honest and disruptive conversations, not only for personal development, but also to share insights and initiatives with their school community and parent-teacher organization (PTO).

The series, Race Matters in School Communities, includes eight monthly discussions facilitated by CAVA. The group will meet locally on the second Tuesday of the month, October through May, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dates are as follows: October 10, November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 12, April 9, and May 14. Dinner will be provided, and child care will be offered.

Registration is still open, but spaces are limited! We are still in need of a representative from each of the following schools:

  • Elementary: Agnor-Hurt, Baker-Butler, Broadus Woods, Brownsville, Hollymead, Mountain View, Red Hill, Scottsville, Stone-Robinson, and Woodbrook
  • Middle: Journey, Lakeside and Walton
  • High: Western Albemarle

Interested? If you are interested in participating in the entire series and willing to share your insights and initiatives with your school community and PTO, please complete our interest form by Monday, October 2.

Interest Form: Race Matters in School Communities


Questions? Please contact Emily Mathon at emilymathon@gmail.com.

Over the past six years, CAVA has been convening a four-day series entitled, “Race Matters: How to Talk Effectively about Race and Conducting Cross-Racial Conversations,” for therapists, educators, and other service providers in Charlottesville, Richmond, and online. Additionally, CAVA offers groups for adults to promote healing from racialized trauma in our society: “The Breathing Room” is specifically for Black and African American people to process experiences of racism and the ongoing abuse and victimization of Black Americans, and “Racial Awareness and Sensitivity Support Group” is a multiracial group for discussing how to effectively engage in conversations about race across racial lines to promote an increased understanding of the impact of privilege and subjugation roles and its impact on interpersonal relationships within our communities.