Empowering Sexual Assault Survivors in Communities of Color: Darnell Rice
By Lana Reid | April 17, 2024
As part of the Black Men Matter Series, Lana Reid sits down with Darnell Rice, Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Embrace, a sexual assault program serving communities of color, to discuss empowering sexual assault survivors. Darnell shares how culturally responsive advocacy, survivor-centered care, and community education are essential to addressing sexual violence in marginalized communities. The conversation centers on healing, accountability, and creating spaces where survivors are believed, supported, and empowered.
In this episode of The Male Perspective, Darnell Rice offers an important and compassionate conversation on sexual assault advocacy and survivor empowerment.
Darnell explains how sexual assault disproportionately impacts communities of color, while access to culturally competent resources often remains limited. He discusses how Embrace was created to address gaps in support by centering survivors’ voices, lived experiences, and cultural realities in the healing process.
Throughout the conversation, Lana Reid and Darnell explore the importance of language, trust, and education. Darnell introduces the core philosophy behind Embrace, including the powerful acronym that reflects its mission: Elevate, Motivation, Believe, Redemption, Acceptance, Courage, and Empower. He emphasizes that healing is not linear and that survivors deserve dignity, patience, and choice throughout their journey.
The discussion also highlights the role of community accountability. Darnell reflects on why conversations about sexual violence must extend beyond individual survivors to include families, institutions, and communities. He underscores that prevention, education, and advocacy are critical components of long-term change.
This episode reinforces the need for survivor-centered approaches that honor lived experience, address cultural barriers, and create sustainable pathways for healing and empowerment.
About the Guest
Darnell Rice is the Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Embrace, a sexual assault program dedicated to addressing rape and sexual violence within communities of color. His work focuses on survivor advocacy, culturally responsive education, and empowering individuals through healing-centered support.
For more information on Darnell Rice:
https://www.embraceelevate.com
https://www.instagram.com/embrace_elevate
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About the Series
This episode is part of the Black Men Matter Series, highlighting Black men who are advocates, leaders, and change-makers addressing critical social issues and supporting healing within their communities.
About the Host & Organization
The Male Perspective is hosted by Lana Reid, founder of Conversations in Color, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community-building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.
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