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, the legislature in 22 states has prohibited or modified DEI programs on college campuses, and just recently, more than 130 scholarships in Texas have been put on hold or modified due to a ban on DEI.
• Black women receive less than 1% of venture capital funding, 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, 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 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.

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, shares his perspective on how Freedmen's Schools set the foundation for equity and justice in education.

14 Anchor Project Announced for Inaugural Cultural Week of Action

Earlier this month, Race Forward and Americans for the Arts (AFTA) announced the 14 projects that received funding to anchor the inaugural Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy, 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

What's next?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

In solidarity,
Team Race Forward