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Dear John,

As we sit between two holidays—Juneteenth and Independence Day—that are
recognized for freedom and democracy, one can't help but reflect on the
current political times in which our movement for a just, multiracial
democracy is under attack.

This year, we commemorate these holidays knowing the promise of full
inclusion has yet to be realized. In fact, the nation is backsliding on
efforts to ensure freedom for all. Since the affirmative action rulings
of June 2023, there have been widespread challenges to advancing racial
equity.

For instance:

There has been a sustained and coordinated effort to end diversity,
equity and inclusion programs in public institutions, including schools,
libraries, and government agencies. According to the Chronicle of Higher
Education [[link removed]
, the legislature in 22 states has prohibited or modified DEI programs
on college campuses, and just recently, more than 130 scholarships in
Texas [[link removed]]
have been put on hold or modified due to a ban on DEI.

Black women receive less than 1% of venture capital funding
[[link removed]]
, yet the Georgia Supreme Court barred the Fearless Fund's Strivers'
Grant program designed to support small businesses owned by Black women.
Despite the Fearless Fund's mission to specifically address the funding
challenges of this aggrieved group, the Court's ruling said the grant
program was illegal because it relies on race to determine eligibility.

Even with a proven history of discrimination, Black communities are
being barred from remuneration or reparations. The Oklahoma Supreme
Court dismissed a reparations lawsuit brought by Viola Fletcher and
Lessie Benningfield Randle
[[link removed]'s%20highest%20court%20rejected%20a%20reparations%20lawsuit%20brought%20by%20Viola,notorious%20episode%20in%20American%20history]
, who lived through the Tulsa massacre over 100 years ago. And in
Evanston, IL, a conservative activist group filed a class action lawsuit
against a reparations program, claiming the initiative is
unconstitutional because the program is based on an applicant's race.

In the face of these types of attacks on racial equity work,
organizations committed to this work must remain rigorous and steadfast
in fighting for racial justice as did our ancestors. And the
philanthropic community, rather than being fearful, must double down
[[link removed]]
to ensure the movement for a multiracial democracy in which all can
thrive continues in full force. DEI programs were designed to promote
equal access to opportunity; eliminating these programs means that the
chances of righting wrongs and correcting decades of injustice are slim.

We encourage you to stay in the fight with us!

What's new?

The Crucial Role of Public Education in Creating a Multiracial Democracy

Public education is foundational to the principle of freedom and
critical to a just, multiracial democracy. Historically marginalized
communities have long understood that education is an essential tool for
empowerment and social mobility.

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For formerly enslaved persons following the Civil War, advocating for
public education and the freedom to learn were revolutionary acts. A
pivotal chapter in this history is the establishment of Freedmen's
Schools.

James Haslam, senior organizing director and campaign director for HEAL
Together [[link removed]], shares his perspective on
how Freedmen's Schools set the foundation for equity and justice in education.

Read it Here
[[link removed]]

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14 Anchor Project Announced for Inaugural Cultural Week of Action

Earlier this month, Race Forward and Americans for the Arts (AFTA)
[[link removed]] announced the 14 projects that
received funding to anchor the inaugural Cultural Week of Action on Race
and Democracy [[link removed]]
, a new initiative that leverages arts, culture, and creativity to
elevate dialogues and spark action to advance a multiracial democracy.

More than 375 projects were submitted for consideration. The selected
projects exemplify strong partnerships with artists, community
organizations, local arts agencies, and various units of local and
Tribal government and explore our American history, how it shapes our
present, and how people are organizing to build an equitable and
racially just future.

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Other local projects, while not eligible for funding, are encouraged to
participate and add information about their activity to our Cultural
Week of Action interactive map.

See How YOU Can Participate!
[[link removed]]

Learn More About Our 14 Anchor Projects
[[link removed]]

Add Your Project to the Map
[[link removed]]

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Re-Introducing: Power Building for Racial Equity

Wednesday, July 10 | 12 pm ET/11 am CT/9 am PT

In our work towards racial equity, understanding and transforming power
dynamics is essential. Systemic racism thrives on a hierarchy of
coercive and oppressive power structures. To dismantle these, we must
cultivate and wield inclusive, collective, and liberatory power.

Power Building for Racial Equity, launching on Wednesday, July 10, is an
updated and expanded version of the second workshop in our Racial Equity
Training Series. This training, designed to be taken after our Building
Racial Equity training, explores the intricate dynamics of power in
addressing systemic racism.

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Power Building for Racial Equity offers a profound opportunity to
examine power explicitly and learn how to use it effectively to promote
racial justice. You will engage in deep reflective discussions, share
practical tools, and explore strategic approaches to transforming power
within your organization and community.

Be sure to join us on July 10 at 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT/9 a.m. PT!

Register Today [[link removed]]

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Housing Justice is Racial Justice

Community organizers, residents with lived experience of housing
injustice and artists came together for a Housing Justice Narrative
Convening to use positive housing narratives in their campaigns. The
real stories of residents and organizers powerfully remind us why
fighting for housing justice is so important and why it's a critical
racial justice issue.

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Here are videos from the convening that you can use to bring more people
into the movement for housing justice and shift the public debate in
support of housing solutions that address the root causes of our unjust
housing system.

See Their Stories
[[link removed]]

What's next?

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A Cultural Ride through The Gateway City

Welcome to St. Louis, the city of the Blues, the Birthplace of Maya
Angelou Josephine Baker, Chuck Berry, home to The Griot Museum of Black
History, St. Louis BBQ, and so much more! From the St. Louis Cardinals
to Red Hot Riplets, and the authentic Real STL News; St. Louis is a
vibrant blend of art, technology, culture, and soul.

This is where the new civil rights movement began with Ferguson and
continues to resonate. Join us on a journey through the social justice
streets of St. Louis. Our partially guided tour offers a unique
perspective on the city's rich history. Each stop is carefully selected
to showcase the journey from our humble beginnings to the resilient
community we've become.

Add the Facing Race Bus Tour to supplement your conference experience.
Come and experience a fun and enlightening way to explore the deeper
significance and cultural heritage of The Lou!

Limited seats are available.

Book Your Seats Today [[link removed]]

Facing Race is made great by the presence of advocates like you!

Here's how you can get involved.

Scholarship Opportunities

Race Forward provides scholarship opportunities! See if you're eligible
to receive support for your attendance.

Volunteer Opportunities

We're calling for Facing Race volunteers!

Apply by September 1! [[link removed]]

Apply by August 1! [[link removed]]

Sponsor Facing Race

Shine a light on your commitment to racial justice and tell the world
you support the movement for a just, multi-racial democracy.

Find Out More [[link removed]]

Be a Vendor/Exhibitor

Promote your work or sell products in our marketplace to reach close to
4,000 advocates working to advance racial justice.

Find Out More [[link removed]]

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Unpacking the Dismantling of Public Education

Thursday, June 27 | 8 pm ET/7 pm CT/5 pm PT

With so many issues facing public education these days, its easy to get
overwhelmed. With a sharp analysis of the moment we are in, we can take
advantage of opportunities to advance our movement.

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In this interactive workshop, you will connect the dots between the
issues we are seeing in our schools across the country and unpack the
strategies used by larger forces at play to better understand what we
must do to win.

Together, we will dive into some of the strategies that have produced
promising results for our movement in the past year, and leave with
concrete steps you can take to advance them.

Sign Up Here [[link removed]]

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Defeating School Vouchers in Tennessee: Lessons for the Movement
—Thursday, July 25 | 7 pm ET/6 pm CT/4 pm PT

This spring, Tennessee faced a huge uphill battle, fighting to stop a
school voucher bill in a state with a Republican Governor and Republican
supermajorities in their House & Senate, backed by a billionaire funded
"Americans for Prosperity" advertising and door-knocking campaign.

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In the face of these overwhelming odds, they organized across the state
and managed to defeat this bill that would have siphoned hundreds of
millions of taxpayer dollars from public schools and given it to private
and religious schools.

Join us to celebrate the important victory and learn directly from the
parents, educators, students and organizers who led the campaign that
won this inspiring bipartisan victory for Tennessee's schoolchildren.

Sign Up Here [[link removed]]

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Racial Equity Training Series

Racial equity work requires continuous practice and skill-building.
Ensure you're prepared to fight the onslaught of attacks on racial
equity by building and sharpening your skills. Check out our upcoming
Racial Equity Training Series offerings and register today.

View Our Upcoming Trainings
[[link removed]]

Services for Organizations

Race Forward is committed to transformational, sustainable change for
racial justice. We provide services to help organizations develop and
advance racially equitable policies and practices.

Our services are developed and delivered by a multiracial and
multigenerational team of experts with extensive knowledge and
experience in various areas, including policy and program development,
leadership development and strategic coaching, community organizing, and
racial equity.

Learn More [[link removed]]

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ICYMI: We're on Threads!

To meet the changing landscape of social media, Race Forward is now
active on Threads, a new social media channel to further the
conversation on racial equity in the US. You can start your own Threads
profile through your Instagram account.

Follow Us [[link removed]]

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We hope your June has been one of celebration and progress. Visit
raceforward.org [[link removed]]to learn more about our work.

In solidarity,

Team Race Forward

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