Impact Through Coalition
For many of the people who participate in the REI trainings, the experience is the first time they have had focused discussions and professional training on racism. Our theory of change is that by educating established leaders, as well as cultivating rising organizers, we will equip them with tools to assess and identify disparities within their organizations and industries, and to infuse more equitable policies, practices, and business models. As a result, New Orleans will shift to a new growth model: one that focuses on creating networks among minority and majority communities; combines skilled and knowledge workers with institutions; and builds quality infrastructure to innovate and provide advanced services. Please visit our Covid-19 page for updates on how we are responding to the pandemic.
700+
systems Leaders have been trained through our Equity Leadership training
500+
emerging Professionals have been trained on our groundwater presentation
1000+
more will be trained by 2021!!!
COVID-19
and a
#Hardreset For An Equitable Recovery
“CENO today calls upon all elected officials, business leaders and statewide task forces to center racial equity as the focus of its work given the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on African Americans. “If COVID-19 teaches us anything, it’s that an injury to one is an injury to all: public health is economic health,” said Shawn Barney, CENO co-founder.
Our Programs
COVID-19 UPDATE: Our programs are currently on hold. We are hosting weekly virtual symposiums for alumni. Please stay tuned as we begin to post them via podcast.
CENO is rooted in the belief that we must first have a common language and shared understanding of our community’s challenges. Our efforts focus on expanding awareness, training, and connecting leaders through networks. Trainings facilitated by the Race and Equity Institute (REI) form the foundation of the Campaign. Through the trainings we explore the interplay (“Groundwater”) of systems -- education, health, housing, income, criminal justice - and what thoughtful leaders who control as well as influence systems, need to know about the gaps in outcomes between blacks and whites across all systems.
Equity Leadership Training
Designed for executives, managers, and “systems leaders” – individuals who control power and resources in our city, the Racial Equity Workshops occur over two days. The process guides participants through history, data, and an organizational definition of racism.
Groundwater Workshop
A 3-hour introduction to Racial Equity designed for group participation – cohorts of staff members, students, or community groups. In these lively and participatory presentations, REI organizers use stories and data to present a perspective that racism is fundamentally structural in nature.
What We Do
Our process requires both deep personal reflection and the courage to look critically at the systems in which we work, live, and lead. Through a concerted effort of building increased awareness of our history, understanding the existence of inequity, learning about the design of unequal systems, and having a shared language to describe with specificity how systemic racism impacts every facet of life in New Orleans, we will have taken the first step towards creating a more equitable city.
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Join Our Campaign
CENO’s vision of New Orleans becoming the most equitable city in America is reliant on connecting people to each other, to education, and to opportunity.
check out calendar for upcoming trainings
Workshops are offered every other month and fill up quickly. Click here for training dates.
Refer A participant
We rely on our alumni leadership to help enroll other leaders – colleagues and friends – in future training sessions. We also encourage all staff and community members to join a Groundwater Workshop. If you would like to refer someone or yourself for a training or register for one of our Groundwater Workshops click below.
Make a Donation
Your donation supports the training of leaders and community programming to drive New Orleans towards becoming the most equitable city in America.