We recently wrapped up our first-ever Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy—and what a week it was! The events and community building were truly incredible; we’re feeling inspired by all of the ways that folks across the country came together to envision “Building the Bigger We.”

Here are some of the highlights:

St. Louis gave us a warm welcome for our kick-off event on September 27, including a performance from Saint Louis Story Stitchers, an incredible panel discussion with artists and movement leaders, a keynote from Dr. Philip Woodmore and the Phil Woodmore Singers, and an amazing live performance by the band Gangstagrass. It was an evening of celebration and creativity, with lots of joy and dancing. It served as the perfect launch for the week of action.

CREDIT: Church Productions

We supported 14 anchor projects across the country, each demonstrating what a multiracial democracy truly means and how arts and culture help shape our collective understanding.

And that was only part of the magic of the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy! A total of 64 events were held across the country, with additional participation from Finland and Brazil. These global efforts reinforced the vital role of arts and culture in imagining a more just future.

CREDIT: The Dark Room Company

The energy, momentum, and excitement around this is clear—so let’s keep up the pressure! As we head into the elections, continue organizing with your local community, make sure to VOTE, and let’s encourage elected officials to prioritize meaningful funding for arts, culture, and racial justice work. Together, we can build the kind of multiracial democracy we all aspire.

CREDIT: Michael Lim, Michael Lim Photography

Our inaugural Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy exceeded our expectations. We’re excited to take the lessons from this first year to strengthen next year’s event. Keep an eye out for additional information from us in the coming months about the next phase of CWA!

In solidarity,
Race Forward and Americans for the Arts