UWindsor researchers are teaming up with African, Caribbean, and Black community partners to document and understand how Black women in Windsor-Essex encounter racism in their everyday lives — and to develop ways to counter it.

The project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, originated in a request from the African Women Association of Windsor, says Jane Ku, an associate professor of sociology and women’s and gender studies. The project will explore the faces of racism as experienced by African, Caribbean, and Black women.

“As a community-based and participatory action project, African, Caribbean, and Black communities will be involved in every stage of the research process,” says Dr. Ku.

The research team includes sociology professor Francisca Omorodion, other faculty members and students of sociology, social work, law, education, and French. It is holding a forum on Saturday, Jan. 13, to introduce the project, its objectives, and benefits to partnering organizations, individuals, and communities at large.

Besides the African Women Association of Windsor, partners include Black Women of Forward Action, Place du Partage, and the Windsor West Indian Association.

“The research team will conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups, and community partnerships are keys to the success of the project,” Ku says.

She says the project will help to inform future collaboration with local communities.

The community forum, “Faces of Racism: Everyday Racialized Encounters in Windsor-Essex,” will begin at noon Saturday at the Windsor West Indian Association, 2410 Central Ave. For more information on the forum or the research project, email facesofracism@uwindsor.ca or phone 226-344-7271.