We, Lani Guinier and Susan Sturm, are law professors who have been experimenting for more than 10 years with learning as a democratic practice. In 1990, with our students, we built a multi-racial learning community in a law school classroom, producing an extraordinarily engaged, open, and exciting dynamic atmosphere.

We came to this project to address the needs of students of color, women and those who felt intellectually or professionally uninspired by the traditional law school curriculum.

We started by creating a space for experimentation, learning, and problem solving around issues of race, gender, social justice and social change. Although we began with a particular focus, we discovered elements that are central to learning in general. We worked with other researchers and expanded our inquiry to settings like police departments and community forums. We have continued to collaborate in teaching, research, video production, workshops, and publications to build multiracial learning communities.