Trainers

RMI uses the follow organizations to administer their training services:

Voices for America's Children (VFAC) has served as a Race Matters Technical Assistance provider for the Kids Count network for the past three years. In that capacity, Joanna Shoffner-Scott, PhD., has provided training and coaching to the entire network as well as served as a panelist/conference presenter at key policy forums focused on racial equity. Dr. Shoffner-Scott is a founding member of the Race Matters Institute (RMI).

Voices for America's Children is the administrative manager and home for the RMI with Delia Carmen serving as Director.  Carmen, a founding member of the RMI, was the former Associate Vice President for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at the Annie E. Casey Foundation and also served two terms as the RESPECT facilitator, the foundation's staff-led internal affinity group.

The Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE), led by its President & CEO, Susan Batten, is a founding partner in developing the Race Matters Institute, as well as an early leader, advocate, and trainer for the Race Matters initiative when she was with the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  In addition to Batten, Marcus Walton, ABFE Director of Programs, is also a RMI trainer. 

Just Partners, Inc (JPI) is a non-profit consulting firm providing strategies, products, and services focused on racial equity, sustainable communities, and nonprofit success.   JPI Vice President Paula Dressel, PhD., is an author of the original RM toolkit, a founding member of the Race Matters Institute, and a valued trainer and technical assistance provider.  

Community Development Associates, Inc. (CDA) led by CEO and co-owners Benjamin Butler and Greg Hodge. The late Ben Butler was a founding member of RMI and an early guide in the development of Race Matters strategies and technical assistance provision. CDA is a national community change consulting firm and Race Matters TA provider since 2006. Greg Hodge will continue as an independent consultant to provide technical assistance and training across all RMI areas of work.

Phoenix Cultural Resources, LLC (PCR) under the leadership of Arvenita Washington Cherry, PhD., is a research-based consulting firm grounded in anthropological and educational research and methodologies.  Arvenita Washington Cherry, a founding member of the RMI, previously worked for several years  helping to build the Annie E. Casey Foundation's internal capacity with the development of "Race Matters Equity Coaches" and conducting staff development sessions introducing RM tools to staff.