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The Education and Civil Rights Initiative (ECRI), is the first and only university-based initiative dedicated to educational equity as a civil right in the Southeastern Conference.

ECRI is focused on engaging in high quality, rigorous research that examines educational equity across the p-20 spectrum, providing rapid response public scholarship that can inform a broader public on timely and contemporary educational issues, and a community-based, publicly engaged resource and research partner.

Mission Statement: The mission of ECRI is to work collaboratively with appropriate partners to ensure education is a civil right through research, community partnerships, and innovative and responsive scholarship.

Vision Statement: ECRI envisions a society that affirms the immutable characteristics and intersectional identities of all people including, but not to limited to, those who identify as or are members of African American/Black, LatinX, Asian American/Pacific Islander, First Nations/Indigenous, LGBTQI+, Diversely Abled, First Generation, and Immigrant communities.

Our Values

Adinkra symbols originate in West Africa, more specifically the lands that are now called Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. The symbols belonged to the Ashanti (or Asante) peoples, and to this day are incorporated into cloth, metal work, and pottery. Adinkra symbols hold the traditions, values, and histories of the Ashanti people, and each symbols represents an enduring concept.

As we strive to fulfill the ECRI mission and vision, we anchor our work in the Adinkra symbols and concepts. We ground our work in Kuronti ne Akwamu— a symbol of democracy, sharing ideas, taking council.

We also hold the following symbols close.

Top left: Nkonsonkonson — Chain, unity and community.

Top right: Sepow — Executioner’s knife, justice.

Center: Nea Onnim — Knowledge and learning.

Bottom left: Funtumfunafu Denkyemfunafu Conjoined crocodiles, unity in diversity given a common destiny.

Bottom right: Sankofa — Look to the past for the lessons to guide your future. Mistakes are never too big to be undone.

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Your gift will support the Education and Civil Rights Initiative's research, student scholarships, graduate fellowships and community programs.

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