Intercultural Communication Institute

22 | Understanding Racial and Cultural Identity in America

This workshop focuses on racial identity development (Black, White, other people of color) and ethnic identity development (African American, European American, and other ethnic groups) from infancy through adult maturity. The workshop begins by focusing on the Black experience and moves quickly to embrace a multicultural perspective.

Designed for
Educators, trainers, and others who work in U.S. interracial and interethnic contexts. Models of racial and cultural identity development are traced in a fashion that is useful for human resource managers, faculty, college administration personnel, school and college counselors, trainers, and activists.

Develop a working understanding of the notions of racial identity and ethnic identity
Compare the stages of racial identity development for different ethnic and racial groups, including White European Americans
Construct a picture of the way racial identity operates in the everyday adjustments of people of color
Recognize how racial identity experience can influence interpersonal relations in corporate and educational settings
Assess learner resistance and develop appropriate responses
Design cultural-awareness training programs for faculty, staff, administrators, students, managers, and employees/li>
Consider ethical concerns in using the racial identity development theory

Learning Activities
These will focus on:

Lecture and discussion on models of racial and ethnic identity development
Case studies and videos
Experiential learning opportunities, including simulations and role plays
Discussion of the experiences, racial issues, and concerns of participants related to racial identity development

Faculty: William E. Cross, Jr., and W. Terrell Jones

Dr. William E. Cross, Jr., is a professor and head of the doctoral program in social-personality psychology at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (GC-CUNY). Bill is the author of Shades of Black, one of the most frequently referenced texts on Black identity. His model conceptualizing the states of Black identity development has generated an ever-expanding number of essays, commentaries, and empirical studies. In addition, his ideas have stimulated the growth of identity development models for application to a wide range of groups, including gays and lesbians, Hispanic/Latinos, Asian Americans, feminists, and White European Americans.

Dr. W. Terrell Jones is the vice provost for educational equity at the Pennsylvania State University, where he is also an affiliate faculty member of the African American Studies and Counselor Education departments. His office is responsible for the university’s five-year diversity plan and liaises with the Office of Civil Rights and government programs designed to increase the access and success of historically underrepresented populations. Terrell is an active trainer and speaker on diversity-related topics and programs for schools and colleges and public and private institutions. Among other publications on diversity topics, he is co-editor of How to Succeed on a Majority Campus: A Guide for Minority Students. Terrell is the incoming chair of the Pennsylvania Black Conference On Higher Education (PBCOHE) for 2008 to 2010.