Shared Futures Tackles Organizational Racism with Philip "Sharp Skills" Jacobs

“I wrote Elephant in the Room to think about racism outside the box. The book gives an up close and personal perspective on what it is like for all of us, no matter our race, to engage in racial justice work,” said Jacobs, as students, faculty and community members packed the Global Innovation and Design Lab (MLG 203) on February 28. The book is a parable of fictional character Derek Blain who navigates racism in the workplace. 

The theme of the Institute for Innovation and Global Engagement's Shared Futures event was proposed by Global Innovation and Design Lab interns, as well as students in the IIGE's Global Honors, Innovation and Design, and NextGen Programs who brainstormed themes for the event with Community Advisory Board members. It was clear that students wanted the vocabulary, strategy, and above all, skills in empathy and dialogue to be effective in the workplace. Jacobs' demo of Reveal the Elephant, a board game created from the book, had people talking, laughing, and even tearing up as they worked through prompts and all-too-real scenarios for discussion. 

The scenarios tackled race and privilege, and the skills people needed to tear down the barriers they set up. One group animatedly discussed the prompt: “You are on a new committee responsible for this year’s Native American Heritage Program. None of the committee members identify as Native American. What steps can you take to ensure Indigenous peoples are honored in the programming your committee creates?” Another reflected on their earliest experience of awareness of racial difference. They chose the skill of expressing emotions as an important one to consider. Allowing oneself to express emotions and feelings could be an effective way to bring vulnerability in a group and build trust. Jacobs shared his hope that the game would be a powerful tool for organizations seeking to make racial equity a reality in their workplace.

After the game, people shared their experience. One student expressed, “Usually these types of conversations are uncomfortable. I feel like I cannot figure out the best way to say something, so I stay silent. The game helped me to get into an uncomfortable space and communicate with my peers.” The event concluded with 30 minutes of networking, where students shared their CVs and personal statements for feedback from community members. With leaders from organizations such as the Progressive Leadership Group, Next Consulting, The William Factory Incubator, Candy Teeth Creative, Space Works, and the Black Collective present, students made valuable connections after the insightful learning experience.