The Group to Reduce Racial Inequities in Prevention (GRRIP) was formed in 2020 by faculty and staff at the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center (PRC). For more information about GRRIP, contact prevention@psu.edu.
Vision
The vision of GRRIP is to lead efforts at the PRC to eliminate racism, embrace racial and ethnic diversity, and promote equity and inclusion across people of all backgrounds, both within the PRC and in our research designed to impact individuals, families, and communities.
Mission
We aim to promote racial awareness in our work environment and make the PRC a workspace where people of color are safe and valued. We will invest in and foster the career development of graduate students and other early career researchers of color. We aim to promote racial awareness in our research, from conception and design through dissemination. We will support work and foster active collaborations with local and academic communities working to end racism, and we will be visible advocates for anti-racism in professional spaces.

Current GRRIP Activities
Early Career Diversity Research Awards
Since 2020, the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center (PRC) has awarded research funding each fall to select graduate students or early career researchers working to support the well-being of diverse populations. For more information, see these news stories:
Announcement of 2022-23 awards
Announcement of 2021-22 awards
Announcement of 2020-21 awards
Annual Lecture on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Prevention Science and Practice
To help our community stay current on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the PRC invites a lecturer to speak on issues related to DEI and prevention science and practice.
View our list of past speakers and topics.
Roundtable Discussions on Anti-racism with Leaders in Prevention Science
The PRC has a long-standing tradition of hosting nationally recognized experts in prevention science for a lecture that is open to the Penn State community. GRRIP is now hosting a roundtable on anti-racism with the lecturers invited to speak at the PRC’s annual Bennett Lecture in Prevention Science (held each October) and Lecture on Compassion (held each April.)
Creation of a Resource List for Inclusive Language
The resources shared below are intended to raise awareness about inclusive language. We realize that they may not represent all points of view. We share them in service of our commitment to give voice to diverse perspectives. We hope they provide a starting point for further exploration. Because language and cultural norms are ever-evolving, GRRIP will review the websites below periodically for updates and additions. This list was last updated in July 2022.
The Conscious Style Guide
This style guide compiles resources and articles around language to use for diverse communities. Terminology is rooted in critical thinking and compassion, to be used skillfully by writers and editors.
The National Association of Black Journalists' Style Guide
Organized alphabetically, this style guide offers insight and historical context for terms used about the Black community.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists Cultural Competence Handbook
This project provides vocabulary and contexts about migration, victims of violence and crime reporting, the LGBTQ community, sexism, and medical reporting.
Reporting Guides from the Native American Journalists Association
Access this list of downloadable guides to report on Native American populations and tribes.
American Psychological Association (APA) Style Guidelines for Racial and Ethnic Identity
The APA Style guide provides information and examples for research writing and talking about racial and ethnic identities.
American Medical Association (AMA) Style Guide (subscription required)
The AMA style guide includes guidance on writing for medical or scientific publications, including a free PDF with updated guidance on reporting race and ethnicity.
Associated Press (AP) Style Guide
The AP style guide includes guidelines for news writers, editors, and publishers. Although the entire stylebook is not accessible for free online, most answers can be found by typing “AP style” into a search engine.
Equitable Evaluation Initiative
The Equitable Evaluation Framework aims to “advance equity and expand notions of validity, objectivity, rigor, and to embrace complexity.”
California Training Prevention Center
This resource offers training and tools to build capacity and support healthcare providers and organizations as they deliver inclusive and equitable services.
Center for Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Assessment
This resource includes resources for those seeking to understand and apply cultural responsiveness to their evaluation and assessment work.
Racial Equity Institute Racial Equity Glossary
This glossary that lists terms the Racial Equity Institute deems most important for dismantling structural racism
Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication
Build a health equity lens with guiding principles shared by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This living document captures resources and suggestions to build an inclusive approach to public health communications.
What We’re Reading
Members of GRRIP are currently reading and discussing each chapter of How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi. Book discussion promotes self-reflection and growth that will help us be more effective at creating positive change in this area.
Study Guide:
Part 1: https://dce.olemiss.edu/how-to-be-an-antiracist-reading-guide-part-1/
Part 2: https://dce.olemiss.edu/how-to-be-an-anti-racist-reading-guide-part-2/
Interested in Joining Us?
GRRIP is open to Prevention Research Center faculty, staff, graduate students, and affiliates. The more people that are involved, the more that can get done. Involvement can include being an official member of the GRRIP planning group, getting involved in helping to plan specific activities, attending a GRRIP organized activity, or using a GRRIP organized resource. Please reach out to our group at prevention@psu.edu if you are interested in getting involved with planning an activity or joining the GRRIP planning group. The GRRIP planning group meets nine or ten months out of the year.
