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Dear John,

After generations of struggle and sacrifice, a democracy that truly
works for our multiracial nation remains a beautiful yet unfulfilled
dream. Strengthening democracy requires us to build people's faith in
government and the potential for collective action to meet shared needs
and improve real outcomes in people's lives. As advocates for a world
where all communities thrive, we believe co-governance is a promising
strategy, even in this moment of attacks on racial equity and civil
rights.

Co-governance—a practice through which community and government work
together to build collective power to solve a shared problem—is
increasingly highlighted as a way to create solutions that work for
community members most impacted by structural racism. While the dominant
narrative tells us this strategy can't work, we know the power of
communities and government coming together for the greater good is what
drives transformative change.

For communities of color, working with local government is complex.
There is a need to both name and heal from historical harms that have
been perpetuated by state actions, while also reclaiming our entitlement
to be protected and supported by the democratic institutions we empower.
As communities grapple with increasingly complex challenges, anything
from systemic violence to natural disaster recovery, we can't lose sight
that governance is still our aim.

We want systems that protect those most vulnerable to harm and provide
our communities with what they need to flourish. To get there, we need
to tap into the collective power of our communities who are organizing
for change and our governing institutions who have been working toward
internal transformation. Together, through co-governance strategies,
there is the potential to build more dynamic and resilient solutions
than is possible in isolation. Building this solidarity at the local
level is key to driving toward a more just world.

Interested, but wondering how to build an impactful co-governance
strategy? This is why we are proud to launch Race Forward's
Co-Governance Tool for a Multiracial Democracy
[[link removed]].
Join us and our friends at Partners for Dignity and Rights on August
13 at 3pm ET l 2pm CT l 1pm MT l 12pm PT for a special #RaceAnd
Democracy webinar [[link removed]].
You'll learn more about how co-governance can be an effective
strategy—even now—and hear lessons from local leaders grappling with
some of today's most challenging issues and finding the real power in
co-governance strategies.

We hope you will join us to learn more about how we can implement this
promising strategy.

In solidarity,

Glenn Harris

Race Forward President

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What's New?

Co-Governance Tool for a Multiracial Democracy

Co-governance has emerged as a valuable concept for those working
towards justice by aiming to transform processes and outcomes. While
reports and studies on cross-sector organizing and policymaking exist
and continue to be developed, there is a need for more practical
resources that support questions of implementation, such as:

* How do we build relationships across sectors?

* How do we govern together?

* How do we share power in decision-making?

* How do we design productive meetings that move the work forward?

* How do we navigate challenges and conflicts?

* How do we hold our collective accountable?

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Race Forward's new "Co-Governance Tool for a Multiracial Democracy" aims
to help practitioners answer these questions by offering guidance and
resources to support leaders in government and communities as they
design structures, relationships, and agreements for successful
cross-sector collaboration and equitable outcomes. We draw on our own
decades of learning and also highlight shared wisdom from many partners
across our field. Our goal is that this new tool guides practitioners
through a design process that results in a stronger civic infrastructure
to drive change that improves conditions and outcomes for all of our
communities.

Download Today
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See Supporting Resources
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State of the Field: A Snapshot of Racial Equity in Government

What does it take to embed racial equity into the daily work of
government - and sustain it?

GARE's latest release, State of the Field: A Snapshot of Racial Equity
in Government, offers a comprehensive view of the current landscape of
racial equity work in government, grounded in the experiences of
practitioners across the country. Drawing on survey data from 169
government staff and interviews with 20 frontline equity leaders, this
resource examines what's working, what's changing, and where targeted
support is most needed.

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Designed to meet the needs of practitioners in operationalizing equity,
the report includes:

* Detailed survey analysis on resource allocation, political will, and
implementation challenges

* Rich qualitative insights on how equity leaders are navigating shifting
institutional dynamics

* An integrated synthesis of trends across data sources - highlighting
emerging strategies in community engagement, narrative change, and
cross-sector collaboration

* Strategic recommendations for local governments, peer organizations, and
philanthropic partners

State of the Field also raises critical questions in the field,
including the tension between centralized and decentralized approaches,
and the infrastructure needed for long-term success.

Whether you are implementing racial equity work inside government,
supporting it from the outside, or investing in its future, this report
offers key learnings to inform your next steps - and drive our
collective progress.

Download the Report
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What's Next?

#RaceAnd Democracy: Co-Governance Tool to Reinforce our Multiracial
Society — Wednesday, August 13

As federal attacks on equity and democracy intensify, co-governance
presents a transformative alternative. Rooted in collective leadership
and trust, it empowers communities most affected by systemic racism to
exercise real decision-making power.

Join Race Forward's Place-Based Strategies team for the launch of the
Co-Governance Tool for a Multiracial Democracy: a new resource to help
community and government leaders build structures that share power,
center racial equity, and move us closer to a democracy that works for
all.

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This is the first in a series of RaceAnd conversations, introducing the
tool and offering space for practitioners, organizers, and public
leaders to explore its real-world applications. Co-sponsored with our
friends at Partners for Dignity and Rights, we will be joined by leaders
from different communities who will share the power co-governing can
have on some of the biggest challenges we face. This event will set the
stage for an upcoming Learning Lab this fall.

In this webinar, you'll hear about:

* What co-governance is and how to use it toward racial justice.

* How this current moment calls for us to strengthen local solidarity

* Key questions that should be considered when building co-governing
"tables"

* Stories from local communities that highlight the power of co-governance
to address significant challenges

Join us August 13!
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DEADLINE EXTENDED: Weavers Lab for Solidarity Narratives — Apply by
Friday, August 22

Race Forward is excited to announce the Weavers Lab for Solidarity
Narratives, a year-long cohort experience designed to strengthen how we
build narrative power to advance solidarity and racial justice. The
learning lab will involve an iterative process for organizations to
design and implement narrative strategies that build clarity, cohesion,
and solidarity necessary for transformative change.

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For one year, we will engage a multiracial and multi-issue cohort of
8-12 organizations, each bringing at least two representatives, that are
working to advance racial justice and solidarity through a narrative
strategy. Cohort participants will receive training, coaching, and
relationship-building opportunities with peers and experts in the
narrative, racial justice, and solidarity space. Cohort members will
also attend Race Forward's signature conferences: Just Narratives for
Multiracial Solidarity 2025 (November 13-15) and Facing Race 2026
(mid-November). The cohort will officially start in October 2025 and end
November 2026.

The deadline to apply has been extended to Friday, August 22. Visit our
FAQs page and our information package to learn more about this
opportunity.

Apply by August 22!
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Announcing Our Keynote

Race Forward is honored to announce our keynote speaker, Alok, an
internationally acclaimed poet, comedian, public speaker, artist, and
actor whose work sits at the powerful intersection of creative
expression and movement building.

Alok brings brilliance that transcends boundaries. Their artistry
reminds us that narrative change isn't only about the stories we
tell—it's about who gets to tell them, how those stories are told, and
how they shape our worldview, policies, and practices.

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Alok's keynote at Just Narratives will ignite our collective imagination
as we build narrative power strong enough to overcome the forces working
to divide us by race, class, geography, gender expression, and more.
Their words will galvanize our community as we develop strategies to
effectively tell stories that can transform policies, systems, and
culture.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear Alok's powerful keynote and join a
community of strategists, storytellers, creatives, and movement leaders
committed to strengthening our narrative ecosystem in the face of rising
authoritarianism.

Join us in St. Louis!
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Learning Lab: Reimagining Research for Racial Justice — Wednesday,
September 3

Join us on September 3 for a three-hour interactive workshop where we'll
examine how traditional research practices have reinforced oppression.
Together, we'll explore liberatory frameworks that center racial equity,
grassroots experimentation, and community-driven power building. This
session is designed for equity practitioners, organizers, public sector
leaders, and anyone seeking to realign their data practices with
justice.

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You'll walk away with strategies to center community needs, design
values-based research protocols, and move from data to action.

Join us September 3!
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Supporting Small Businesses and Black Women's Economic Power

Did you know nearly 300,000 Black women left or were pushed out of the
labor force
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in the last three months? Economists attribute this mass exodus to
federal job cuts that disproportionately affect Black women, rollbacks
of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, mounting student loan
debt, and broader policy shifts. This trend not only impacts Black
women—many of whom are primary breadwinners for their families—but
creates significant ripple effects throughout our economy and undermines
our shared prosperity.

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Many Black women continue to forge their own paths through
entrepreneurship. This Labor Day, consider supporting Black women
entrepreneurship and small businesses. St. Louis, host to our 2024
Facing Race conference and the upcoming Just Narratives convening, has
been significantly impacted by a recent tornado and persistent economic
hardship.

Support their recovery efforts by participating in or connecting with
vendors at Frizz Fest, the region's largest natural beauty festival,
happening September 20.

Learn more about Frizz Fest!
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Take Action

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We Make History Everyday

Racial justice isn't history. Racial justice is happening every day.

Shop online at our new store and choose from an array of products like
shirts, water canteens, hats, and sweaters. No matter the weather, we
make history together!

Shop Our Store Today!
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Subscribe to The Fire We Face Newsletter

The Fire We Face is a newsletter for those committed to protecting
democracy, racial equity, and public service in the face of systemic
threats. As we monitor the Trump Administration's embrace of Project
2025 and other anti-democratic, racist initiatives, The Fire We Face
will document actions targeting federal agencies and civil servants
striving to serve the public equitably. Through in-depth analysis,
reflections, and tangible examples, this newsletter aims to empower
readers with the knowledge to understand and navigate these challenges.

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Sign up here for updates!
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Follow us on Bluesky!

Given the current political climate and our declining engagement on
Twitter, we have made the decision to remain inactive on Twitter until
further notice.

To keep the conversation going, we encourage you to join us on Bluesky.
Be a part of an ever-growing network of racial justice advocates as we
continue to share engaging content that moves the needle to a just,
multiracial democracy.

Follow @raceforward.org
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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
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