Welcome
The Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture (ISPRC) is directed by Janet E. Helms, Ph.D. In addition, collaborators with interests in studying or policy making with a racial or cultural focus are invited to serve as Institute collaborators. The Institute's multi-site research and training perspective and applied emphasis will make it possible to address the educational and psychological issues of a variety of populations.
Taking Action Against Racism -- Recent Social Media Events and Resources
To our ISPRC Community
As this country continues to reckon with its anti-Blackness roots, the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture (ISRPC) reiterates that racial trauma is an urgent public health concern, having serious consequences for the mental health and well-being of Black, Indigenous, and other people of Color in this country and elsewhere.
The Institute Director, Members, and Alumni have participated in many recent events to help educate, guide, and inform. Here are links to a few of them followed by Resources:
- New Podcast - Racial Identity for White People with Janet E. Helms; 3/3/21 interview found on Teaching While White
- Boston College Magazine, Fall 2020, "What Systemic Race Looks Like," Dr. Janet Helms featured article - White People Have a Race, Too
- ISPRC Facebook Live Event - Unapologetically Black ~ Recording 8/12/20
- Dr. Helms featured in CNN Article How George Floyd's death ignited a racial reckoning that shows no signs of slowing down
- Podcast: Boston College Magazine featuring Dr. Janet E. Helms
- Podcast: What is Whiteness? with Francesca Marguerite Maxime and Dr. Janet E. Helms
- ISPRC Facebook Live Event - AAPI/APIDAs Navigating Anti-Blackness ~ Recording 7/28/20
- ISPRC Facebook Live Event - How I Became White: White Folx Talking About Race ~ Recording 7/16/20
- ISPRC Facebook Live Event - Developing Your Own Racial Trauma Toolkit - ISPRC Alumni Advisory Board
- Black News Channel: Interview with Dr. Maryam Jernigan-Noesi
- Dear White People: Powerful words from Dr. Carlton Green
- Conversation with Dr. Janet Helms, Pt. 1 (The access password is as follows: 3e!!5#^9)
- ISPRC Facebook Live Event - Conversation with Dr. Janet Helms, Pt. 2
- Huffington Post Interview with Dr. Maryam Jernigan-Noesi
- New Blog Post: Dismantaling Racism in Higher Education by Taylor Stewart
- Community Conversations: The Steve Fund with Dr. Carlton Green and Dr. Marcia Liu

Diversity Challenge 2020 - A Resounding Success!
ISPRC was delighted to present the 20th Anniversary of Diversity Challenge! On October 23-24, we virtually convened to share ideas, research, community, and fellowship. Over the last two decades Diversity Challenge has focused on important topics that address mutual concerns related to race and ethnic culture. This year in this special anniversary event we celebrated the Trailblazer, the Igniter, and of course, the Visionary. Our theme was Goodbye "Isms," Hello Future.
We welcome you to view our Presenter Abstracts from this year's first Virtual Diversity Challenge.
Check Back to see our Tribute Page Coming Soon.
Thank you! - 2019 DC
Diversity Challenge 2019 proved to be a wonderful interdisciplinary forum allowing researchers, mental health practitioners, social activists. educators, and government officials to explore issues and interact with each other, and to address mutual concerns related to race, ethnic culture, and surviving, resisting, and healing in our current political and social climate. Thank you to all those who participated and helped to make the 19th Diversity Challenge a rewarding experience for all.
Please view our 2019 Program Abstracts and Photos of Diversity Challenge in our 2019 Pictures.
Consider joining us October 23-24, 2020 to celebrate our 20th Anniversary of Diversity Challenge: Goodbye"Isms," Hello Future!
~ Dr. Janet E. Helms and the ISPRC Team

ISPRC Features
Highlighted below are some of the more topical or requested areas of current ISPRC projects or information. Please check out our News tab to read about current and noteworthy happenings of the Institute.
Download #racialtraumaisreal manuscript >
This toolkit has been created by Boston College - Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture and is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International document.
Upcoming ISPRC Events and News
Now Available:
Dr. Helms's updated book:
View our current Newsletter
10/23-24/20 - Diversity Challenge VIRTUAL Conference
20th Anniversary: Goodbye "Isms," Hello Future