LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Spalding University is launching an online training and professional development program in antiracism. 

The program will be available nationally to individuals and groups from the public sector as well as corporate and nonprofit organizations. The half and full-day courses, titled "Restorative Practices for the Antiracist Journey," will "teach concepts of cultural humility and restorative practices as a means to bring about positive social change," according to a press release from the university.

With live virtual sessions set to start in late January, enrollment in the courses is open now. The program is the first featured offering from The Well, a reorganized interdisciplinary institute of social justice-themed training at Spalding.

The program is designed and facilitated by faculty and staff leaders of the university's Center for Peace and Spiritual Renewal, School of Social Work, School of Professional Psychology, and Collective Care Center.

“This program is designed for individuals and groups who are interested in meaningfully and constructively addressing and healing race relations in their professional and personal lives through self-exploration, truth-telling, difficult dialogue and action,” said Spalding Executive Director for Peace and Spiritual Renewal Chandra Irvin. “The Spalding faculty and staff who have collaborated to create this program have a great deal of experience in these spaces and bring a diverse set of perspectives. Organizations that participate in this training at Spalding will be making a valuable investment that demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Spalding President Tori Murden McClure echoed the importance of the program.

“Spalding’s mission states that we are a diverse community of learners dedicated to meeting the needs of the times by promoting peace and justice through education and service,” McClure said. “As the past year has shown, pain and suffering from racial injustice and inequity remain prevalent in our society. Offering the Restorative Practices for the Antiracist Journey training program is an example of Spalding meeting the needs of the times by using the experience, wisdom and teaching skills of our faculty and staff to help promote a more equitable world.”

Participants will be awarded three tiers of certification badges by Spalding, including Bronze, Silver, and Ebony, the highest level, based on the number of sessions completed.

Completed hours in the program can be applied to continuing education requirements for social workers, and the university said it plans to seek approval for continuing education credits from other professions' governance boards.