If you know If/When/How, then you know that we are dedicated to supporting and centering people of color — both within our organization and beyond — because we know that the realization of reproductive justice depends on how people of color are centered in the movement. As a part of these efforts, If/When/How held a working group retreat in spring 2017 for students to come together and discuss the work we all must do to achieve racial justice. The time to apply for next year’s Student of Color & White Co-Conspirator Working Groups is right around the corner, so we invite you to read about last year’s SCPOC retreat and stay tuned for blogs from the participants on what they learned and the actions they committed to taking.

Over the weekend of March 25-26, If/When/How convened the 2017 Student of Color & White Co-Conspirator Working Groups, as part of our Supporting & Centering People of Color (SCPOC) Initiative. These Working Groups, comprised of law students from across the country, are working separately and together to support each other and If/When/How in our shared goal of ending white supremacy and infusing all aspects of our programming with the fundamental understanding that racial justice is reproductive justice.

The quote, “solidarity is a verb,” surfaced repeatedly over the weekend. This philosophy framed many of our conversations about how we can show up for and support each other across racial and other identities, and how we can support ourselves — through self-care and community — in showing up consistently and authentically for difficult conversations.

Our chapter leader members also spent some time brainstorming ways for their law school chapters to maintain a strong and visible presence on campus and to be vocal advocates for racial and reproductive justice. We were all energized by the stories of successes from chapters across the country. We also had time to put our heads together on some shared struggles.

If/When/How is grateful for everyone’s time and energy over the retreat weekend and excited to be partnering with this amazing group of law students! All Working Group members will be writing a blog post about their work to support and center people of color, so keep your eyes out for their writing in the coming months.

Last but not least, a big thanks to our facilitation team, comprised of If/When/How staff, board members, and RJ Fellows: Sabrina Andrus, Lina Houston, Sarah Layton, Elisabeth Smith, and Priya Walia.