DALLAS (SMU) – SMU Athletics is expanding its partnership with Project Unity, joining its newest initiative, Together We Can.

Project Unity is a collaborative movement based on the faith-driven belief that what unites us is greater than what divides us. Its core focus is building and sustaining community. Its mission is fulfilled through dialogue, community building events and activities, education and empowerment. The new initiative's mission is to facilitate change by providing an answer to the many calls for personal and societal change following events of racial injustice in America.

In the fall of 2019, SMU Athletics coaches and staff began participating in various Project Unity events, where participants engage in courageous conversations about race relations in a safe environment, sharing their own experiences and listening to stories from their colleagues. These events allow for healthy and structured dialogue to occur, while helping advance the department's goal of improving race relations and creating actionable items. Athletics department staff and Mustang student-athletes will all be involved in this new program.

"SMU Athletics is committed broadening our plan, to include actions we can all take, to promote equality and end the injustices that oppress members of our Black community," said Director of Athletics Rick Hart. "We are expanding our partnership with Project Unity to include the 'Together We Can' initiative as part of this long-term action plan."

In 2016, SMU Trustee Richie Butler hosted a community forum on policing and race relations at St. Paul United Methodist Church that included the former Dallas Police Chief David Brown, former District Attorney Craig Watkins and Sheriff Lupe Valdez. As a result of that forum, he launched an initiative to address the divides in our community and the country. Project Unity has been leading efforts to unify Dallas by implementing a number of community building programs to help heal race relationships between law enforcement and Dallas citizens.

People want to know what they can do to make change and this initiative is one step for those looking to enact change. Inclusion is the driving force for the Together We Can initiative and aims to positively root out racism. The program provides a monthly action that can be performed in one hour or less. These actions will include introspection exercises, engagement exercises, and public action items.

To learn more about how you can participate, click here.