Introduction

Black Lives Matter.

The Student Programs & Engagement team will put that statement into action through this Social Justice Action Plan.

Why is SP&E doing this?

We have created this plan in the wake of the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and overarching racial injustice. This page is one way to hold Student Programs & Engagement accountable to our mission of creating a sense of belonging and affirming Black identities. Here, we will outline our commitments, advertise educational programs, share resources, and document what we have done – not just what we have said. Our statements must, and will, become our actions.

Who is this for?

Make no mistake: our primary goal is in the wake of these events is to more equitably serve and support the experiences of Black students at Bentley. That includes both support to Black students – elevating Black voices, sharing resources for support, and putting into action our commitment of solidarity. It also includes better educating ourselves and students who do not identify as Black on ways we can engage in allyship and anti-racist work. Elevating, supporting, and standing with Black students is our number one priority within this plan. As we move forward, we will also explore ways to enhance this plan to also better serve the needs of other underrepresented student communities. We can and must do both.

What can I expect?

This page is meant to be regularly updated and will evolve over time. We will add content and remove content in a way that balances student needs, current events, and upcoming opportunities, while keeping this page easy to navigate and digest. We invite members of the community to share feedback on what is included here, and to share any resources, programs, or relevant information you would like others to see. But to be clear, we see providing this information to students as our responsibility (it is not a marginalized student's job to educate us or others), and we commit to updating content at least monthly (but certainly sooner as current events and upcoming opportunities dictate).

This plan contains a number of resources, opportunities, and other information. We want you to know in addition to these items that we – the SP&E staff – are also a resource. As you browse this page for things that might offer you some support and/or topics you are interested in learning about, please know that we are here to guide you and process your experiences. For those seeking support: don't hesitate to reach out. For those looking to learn: we are on this learning journey with you. This content is just a start. We welcome feedback, community contributions, and opportunities to collaborate.

Resources for All Students

Resources added on 2/1/2021
Books & Online Readings
Young Adult (YA) books that center the Black experience
15 Best New Young Adult Books by Black Authors
25 Amazing Books by African-American Writers You Need to Read
5 Books to Read about the Black Experience in America
"When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir" by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele
Movies & TV Shows to Stream
Netflix Movies & Shows that center the Black experience
Hulu movies & shows that center the Black experience
Disney+ 'Celebrate Black Stories' Collection
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Available on Netflix - Additional Reading after reading this film
Miscellaneous Resources
How to Hold Your Company Accountable to Its Promise of Racial Justice
Project Implicit: Implicit Bias Test
White Fragility Discussion

Resources for Black Students

We acknowledge the real and human frustration, exhaustion, and heartbreak you may be experiencing. Your trauma as a part of the Black community matters. Please feel free to explore any of these resources, to the right, for support. Above all, know that we are here for you. Do not hesitate to reach out.

SP&E's Anti-Racist and Social Justice Commitment

For the 2020-2021 academic year, Student Programs & Engagement will achieve the following goals related to our anti-racist and social justice commitment. In the coming days we will assign specific responsibility for each goal among our staff to ensure these goals are met. As we advance and achieve components of these goals, we will document that progress here. We may also add new goals as needed. It is important to note these goals, including programming commitments, will be achieved regardless of learning environment (i.e. in-person, virtual, or other format). At the end of the year, we will document our efforts in a social justice initiatives annual report, which will be posted to this page. We will use that report, as well as student feedback and needs, to determine goals for future years.

Meditation App:

SP&E's Anti-Racist and Social Justice Commitment

Student Programs & Engagement will finalize their 2022-2023 Social Justice Action Plan at the start of the Fall 2023 semester and will update this page with their new goals

Interested in reading Student Programs & Engagement's previous action plans for racial justice? View the two documents below.

2022-2023 Social Justice Plan

2021-2022 Social Justice Plan

Educational Opportunities

The department is advertising the upcoming educational and reflection focused programming opportunities.

SP&E's Identity 101 Webinar:

Resources for Aspiring Allies

We encourage students looking to expand their allyship to explore these resources, depending on what you feel you may need. Some of these resources lend themselves well to being reviewed and discussed as a group. A key element of improving your multicultural awareness is that it is a constant, ongoing learning process. Our staff are available to process and debrief any of these resources with you. Feel free to reach out to us!

Resources for American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Multiracial Students

Tools for Supporting Oneself:

Tools for Educating Oneself:

Tools for Engaging in Action:

Book List:

  • So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  • The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
  • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson - Now a major film, available for free on Amazon Video and YouTube for the month of June

Resources for White Students:

Tools for Educating Oneself:

Tools for Engaging in Action:

Book List:

  • So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  • White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
  • Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad

Additional Resources for Black Students

Please see above section, "Resources for Black Students" for resources for support.

Book List:

  • I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
  • Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Super Power by Brittney Cooper

Community Message

June 2, 2020

To our Black Students,

There is so much to hold and process right now. We acknowledge the real and human frustration, exhaustion, and heartbreak you may be experiencing in the wake of the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and overarching racial injustice.

As Black students at a predominantly White institution, we see you. We see what you do to make Bentley a better and brighter place for faculty, staff, and students alike. Your work matters. Your life matters. Your trauma as a part of the Black community matters. We are committed to examining what role we currently play, and how we can be better, in more equitably serving and supporting the experiences of Black students on our campus.

This Friday, we will begin a regular practice of sharing relevant information and resources related to these efforts on a new, dedicated page of BentleySPEak.com. Information posted here will include educational programs, trainings, student organization news, policies, and community messages as one way to hold our department accountable to living out our mission of creating a campus that provides a sense of belonging and affirms Black identities.

We are committing ourselves to you and to this important work.

In solidarity,

The Student Programs & Engagement Team