REI Services 

1. What is Racial Equity Institute (REI)? What services does REI provide?

REI is a Black-owned business comprised of a multiracial team of organizers and trainers who are committed to the work of anti-racism transformation. Our training and consulting programs are designed to help individuals, organizations, and communities grow their understanding and analysis of structural racism and its cultural and historic roots. With committed work, over time, we believe that organizations can develop the consciousness and tools necessary to challenge patterns of power and to grow equity.

2.  Where and how are REI workshops scheduled?

REI typically conducts workshops in partnership with organizations and communities that want this training and have decided they want to organize and host a workshop for a defined constituency. The constituency can be a workplace, a foundation, a faith-based organization, a civic organization, any kind of organization or community. Any group can organize and host an REI workshop anywhere! We conduct many workshops a day, all over the country. The workshops posted on our website are only those that are open to the public.

3.  Whom do I contact if I want more information on REI services or on how to organize to bring training to my group?

Please contact Megan Hayes-Bell ([email protected]) for questions about programs and services. For scheduling or booking system questions, please contact Toneysha Amos Frisby ([email protected]).

Hosting an REI Training or Workshop

4.  What do I need to do first if I am interested in hosting a training?

You can schedule a workshop with us through our online scheduling software. It will ask you to first read our Guide to Hosting an REI Workshop, which describes the workshop itself, the fees for service, and your responsibility in serving as the host organization. It is really important that you read this document before scheduling. It describes what is involved in hosting a Phase 1 Workshop or Groundwater Approach training. These are the most common entry points in REI’s training program. It also describes our Latinx Challenges in Racial Equity, our Youth Workshop geared toward high school-aged students, and our Phase 2 training for individuals or groups that have completed Phase 1 at least once.  If you have never hosted a workshop before and have any questions about our training program or the logistics of hosting, our staff is more than happy to schedule a phone call with you. Please contact Megan Hayes-Bell ([email protected]) for questions about programs and services. For scheduling or booking system questions, please contact Toneysha Amos Frisby ([email protected]).

5.  What happens after I submit a request?

You will instantly receive a notification of receipt of your request via email upon successful submission using our BOOK NOW link. An email confirmation, either accepting or rejecting your request, will be sent within ten business days. If we need additional information from you, we will contact you. If we have everything we need from you in your submitted request, you will receive a reminder two weeks prior to your service to review our Hosting Guide for all of our set-up requirements and equipment needs. Should you need anything from us after being confirmed, please feel free to contact Megan Hayes-Bell ([email protected]) for questions regarding REI programs and services, Toneysha Amos Frisby [email protected] for questions about scheduling or our booking system, or the REI Accounting Team [email protected] for issues regarding billing, such as invoices, contracts and vendor documentation.

6.  Does REI require a contract?

Submission and confirmation of a requested service serves as our agreement to the terms outlined in our Hosting Guide. It is very important that you read the hosting guide before booking a service. If your group requires an additional contract we are happy to work with you on that. In this case, please contact the REI Accounting Team ([email protected]).

7.  What are the qualifications and characteristics of REI trainers?

Currently REI has more than 40 trainers who work together to bring our workshops to clients around the country. We are a multiracial, multi-ethnic, multi-generational team with extensive backgrounds working in a variety of fields and institutional sectors including education, public health, medicine, law enforcement, psychology, social services, non-profits, business, agriculture and economic development. All of our trainers undergo training and engage in continual study and professional development in support of the analytical framework that we teach.

8.  May I request particular trainers for my service?

If it is important to your group to have a particular trainer or a particular type of trainer or training team, please describe in detail in the special request section of the on-line appointment request form. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate your request, but we will certainly try. You will be notified if we can or cannot accommodate your trainer request when we confirm your appointment.  

9.  When will I know who my assigned trainers are?

Trainers are typically assigned 1-2 weeks prior to services. You can request the names of your assigned trainers when you receive your logistics email 3-5 days prior to your event.

10.  When will I hear from our trainers?

Currently, in the virtual environment, we set aside 30 minutes prior to the training session for the hosts to meet with their assigned trainers and discuss logistics.

11.  How are travel and lodging accommodations confirmed?

REI will book all travel and lodging arrangements for every trainer, as outlined in our Hosting Guide. The travel arrangements for the trainers are not typically disclosed to the clients; however, we can do so upon request. Should the client wish to be involved in making travel arrangements, please indicate that in the special instructions/notes section of the request and someone will contact you directly.

12.  What should I expect in terms of invoicing and payment?

An invoice – covering fee for service plus travel expenses – is typically sent within two weeks of service. but can be sent earlier upon request. Payment is due within 30 days of receiving an invoice from REI unless indicated otherwise in a separate contract. Please contact the REI Accounting Team ([email protected]) with any questions regarding invoices, contracts, or vendor documentation.

13.   Does REI have a cancellation policy?

Effective April 1, 2021: Once we confirm a workshop, this date is reserved for you. Workshops canceled less than 15 days prior to the confirmed date will be charged half the cost of the workshop. There is no penalty to cancel or reschedule a booking request if it has not been confirmed at least 45 days prior to the requested date. Please contact Toneysha Amos Frisby ([email protected]) with any questions about cancellation.

14.  Does REI provide certificates of participation?

REI typically does not host or register participants for workshops. Therefore, we do not supply certificates of participation. Usually this kind of documentation of participation can be obtained directly from the workshop host, upon request. If you host a virtual training, you can request your attendee list from the Zoom coordinator following the training.

15.   Do you provide continuing education credits?

The requirements for CEUs vary by profession. Again, because we are not registering or documenting participation in workshops, we are not typically involved in documenting training for CEUs. This is something to inquire about with your hosting organization.

REI Support Services

16.  What materials will I receive after a workshop?

REI has workbooks to accompany most of our workshops. The exception is the Groundwater Approach training, after which we make available an abbreviated slide deck from the slide deck. We also refer people to the Groundwater Approach report paper that is available on our website (see Resources). If you have not received your post-workshop materials, please check your spam/junk mailboxes first and then reach out to your local workshop organizer.

17.    What type of consulting services does REI provide?

REI provides consulting services only to groups that have participated in our training programs. This is because our consulting services are predicated on the analytical framework that we teach. Consulting services usually follow Phase 2 training and are sometimes referred to as Phase 3 or “Racial Equity Organizational Development.” These services are especially designed for groups that have demonstrated ongoing commitment to examining racial equity in their own organizations or communities. We can bring tools and coaching to support you in your work. Note: Due to the constraints of the pandemic, REI is currently not offering consultation services.

18.   May I request an REI team member as a speaker for my event?

We are able to provide speakers for your conference or event, if our schedule permits. Honorarium apply. Note: Due to the constraints of the pandemic, REI is currently not accepting speaking or keynote engagements or offering specialized service requests.

19.  Does REI assist with personal experiences of racism or racial incidents within an organization?

No. We are a racial equity training and consulting firm. We do not troubleshoot, problem-solve, or consult on particular racial incidents.

20.  What do I do if I am interested in working with REI?

REI trainers are often recruited from past workshop participants who have been especially involved in supporting anti-racism organizing in their own institution or community. If you are interested in joining our team, feel free to signal your interest to a workshop trainer. You can also contact Toneysha Amos Frisby ([email protected]) with a CV and statement of interest.