Southern Anti-Racism Network (SARN)

Mission Statement

SARN develops campaigns and projects in the South to end racial disparities in criminal justice, economic opportunities, education, environmental justice and health care. We’re a network of activists who cross the lines of race, gender, class, age and immigration status to challenge divisions in the movement to end white supremacy.

Our History
The Southern Anti-Racism Network (SARN) originates from the Challenging White Supremacy Workshop (CWS) Online. The CWS Workshop online was a year-long virtual learning experience to "find, recruit, motivate and educate" anti-racist activists throughout the US. When the online workshop ended in December 1998, approximately 20 Southern Participants in 7 states formed SARN.

Our Work
No to white supremacists in Charlotte!

SARN in partnership with labor, human rights and anti-racist organizations demonstrated on February 5 in Charlotte NC in opposition to the white supremacist newsletter, American Renaissance (AmRen). AmRen was attempting to hold a conference in Charlotte, February 4-6. Groups in Charlotte and around the South said "NO! to white supremacists in Charlotte." Media coverage over the previous week exposing the racist views of AmRen led to the reserved hotel canceling its contract with AmRen. All other hotels in Charlotte refused to host the AmRen conference. Click here for full press release. Click here for downloadable flyer describing the events on February 5th.

SARN honored with proclamation from the City of Durham
On Monday, November 15th SARN was presented with a proclamation from Mayor Bill Bell declaring November 17th 2010 Southern Anti-Racism Network Day. Read it here. View photos from the event.

Ella Baker Tour

Ella Baker, 1903 - 1986

The Ella Baker Tour brought together veterans from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) with students from high schools and universities around the country to teach about and recruit to the movement for social change. The Ella Baker Tour and Retreat were made possible by a grant from the We Shall Overcome Fund and many other generous donors. Please check out our final report.

SPICE
In 2001, SARN created SPICE - Strong Parental Involvement in Community Education. SPICE is an organization of parents with children in Durham Public Schools. Parents came together to support efforts to close the achievement gap between African-American and white students in Durham Public Schools. SPICE has a two-pronged mission to close the achievement (literacy) gap and the digital divide. The main program of SPICE is a family literacy class that provides home computers to families who successfully complete the classes.

On April 19, 2007, SPICE celebrated its 5-year anniversary with a graduation bringing the total families served to 262. In June of 2007, SPICE became its own independent organization.