About the Candlelight Initiative |
In the despair following the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, our organization faced a fundamental challenge. What do we need to do to take action against the racism which has become all too evident around us? As a company which exists to navigate conflict and foster strong relationship, we want to show up as allies.
Unsure of what to say or where to begin, our co-founders reached out to faculty member Michelle Davis-Howard. Out of a conversation between Faith and Michelle arose more calls, as our parent company CRR Global invited faculty and alumni to tackle the tender, challenging subject of racism. Here in the United States, we have much to do to counteract the systemic injustice inherent in this nation’s history. We are continuing to immerse ourselves more deeply in this essential work. |
Shining a Light on Systemic Racism |
As a society, we cannot address what we do not see. The mission of the Candlelight Initiative is to shine a light on systemic inequities, bringing illumination around this issue to the USA and the larger world. By revealing that which has been hidden, obscured or ignored, we work to change our relationships with one another, and to improve the culture of our entire system.
By coming into full awareness about our relationships with race, we light a candle within ourselves. We extend the flame to those around us to light more candles in turn. Our hope and belief is that as more people join in this effort, we will spark enough collective light to light up the whole sky with fireworks. Our aim is not to direct how this work can be accomplished. Instead, we are offering the resources we have - the passion and empathy of our people, combined with Relationship Systems Intelligence (RSI™) principles, tools and skills - to support the development of the truly inclusive systems we know we are capable of creating. 
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Beginning This Essential Work |
Examining our own reality is the first step we must take in progressing to become a truly antiracist organization.
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Are we truly walking our talk?
We are questioning the structure we have created as an organization. Does our company reflect our desire for equality and diversity? How do we ensure that people of every background, gender identity and sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and culture feel welcome and included in our course rooms? Who is not at the table? This work is not accomplished overnight, but it is underway. |
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Who might join in our wisdom council?
We hope to recruit people from diverse backgrounds to join in setting standards and goals for our organization, and to provide the perspective needed to keep ourselves fully accountable. |
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Do our course materials match our intentions?
The coaching profession has mainly emerged from a culture of white privilege. We are reviewing our curriculum with an eye to this and other social equity issues, including gender and ethnicity. We will rely on feedback from our stakeholders to help identify materials which no longer meet our updated standards. As awareness is created, we continue to update these materials. Our course participants can help us by providing feedback on content. |
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How can we make coaching tools accessible to those with less privilege?
As coaches and coach trainers, we have a responsibility to foster relationship around this issue. Understanding that coaching itself is a privileged profession, how can we share the tools, skills and resources we have to help heal wounds caused by racism? We hope to extend these valuable skills with those with less privilege, and in doing so, to invite more diversity into this arena. |
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What more is possible?
In this work, as in everything we do, it is imperative that we continue to listen. What are course participants, alumni, and our larger audience hungry to experience in healing dialogues around racism? What steps can we take to eradicate systemic racism from the coaching profession, and to share this knowledge amongst the wider community? What resources can we provide to help people move forward with this work? |
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How might RSI be used to support this essential work?
We are considering how best to incorporate RSI principles, tools and skills in offerings which can help to address systemic racism. Ideally, our course offerings will bring people into awareness around race, so that they too can begin to be accountable, take action, and light another person’s candle. We hope that participants will develop an ongoing relationship, so they can continue to share knowledge, learning and action as they move forward.
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Words from the
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CRR Global USA thanks faculty members Michelle Davis-Howard, Faith Fuller, Molly Flanagan and Rosy Elliott, who have joined together as the Candlelight Committee to spearhead this initiative.
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“There’s never been a time that I’ve lived in where there’s more work that needs to be done in the world. We can’t just pretend that systemic racism isn’t there, or pretend that we’re not responsible to help make these changes. I feel we’re really bound to participate in the dialogue. As ORSC practitioners, we have the privilege and the means and the tools to work effectively, to reveal what’s going on in the system.”
• Rosy Elliott |
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“You cannot turn away. This has a really visceral impact on a group of people that are standing next to you, living next to you, going to school with your kids .... Action needs to be taken. It didn’t happen overnight, and it’s not going to change overnight. It’s going to take all of us collectively to do something different.”
• Michelle Davis-Howard |
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“That’s really what we’re all about - having these authentic, honest conversations with one another. There’s joy in that, and I want other people to experience it too .... It’s awkward. And that’s okay.”
• Molly Flanagan |
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“One of the things I’ve struggled with, as someone who is working to understand and develop wisdom and skillful means around working with race - my confusion is around what’s mine to do. For me, what’s mine to do is the ORSC work. Our principles and our values, deep democracy, marginalized voices, and developing a system out of all of the parts .... There’s no way I can address the whole enormity of the issues of racism in this country or around the world, but I can work in my own backyard.”
• Faith Fuller |
Help Light the Way |
We know that many of you feel the same desire to share your energy in making a difference to antiracism efforts. If this task calls to you, we invite you to step into this work along with us.
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If you believe in the mission of the Candlelight Committee, we welcome your help and invite you to get in touch.
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Want to stay informed? |
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