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Dear John,

This Black August [[link removed]]
we are reflecting on the ways this moment is familiar and also very
different from past moments in our history. Across this country we are
experiencing power grabs, illegal detainments, and retribution politics
as the country moves closer to authoritarian rule.

And, we are reminded of the words of Maya Angelou in her poem "America
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":

The gold of her promise
has never been mined

Her borders of justice
not clearly defined

We also look to the words of Langston Hughes, who calls America "The
land that has never been yet" and declares that "We, the people, must
redeem the land, the mines, the plants, the rivers, the mountains and
the endless plain" if we hope to see "A land where every man is free."

What we are experiencing now is what many of our elders and ancestors
knew "back then." This country has never fulfilled its promise of
"liberty and justice for all," and now, in a most egregious manner,
seeks to serve a powerful few at the expense of the most vulnerable.

Despite this reality, so many of us continue to fight for true
justice—care and consideration for our neighbors, right relationship
with and stewardship of the land that cares for us.

At Race Forward, we are proud that our racial justice training series
follows in this lineage of truth-telling as resistance. Our training
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provides political education, solidarity strategies, and practical tools
for our movements to build collective power. We design learning spaces
where people can connect to build a better world. And in a time when we
need those connections more than ever, we hope that you will join us at
one of our sessions below.

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Training Spotlight: Learning Labs Our Learning Labs are high-impact,
three-hour virtual sessions [[link removed]]
designed for individuals and teams ready to sharpen their skills, deepen
their analysis, and take immediate action. These labs are ideal for
individuals seeking powerful learning experiences that fit seamlessly
into their workday. No prerequisites required!

Reimagining Research as a Tool for Racial Justice
September 3, 1 pm ET | 12 pm CT | 10 am PT (3 Hours)

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

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Join us for the Research Lab
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Narrative Change for Racial Equity
September 10, 1 pm ET | 12 pm CT | 10 am PT (3 Hours)

The narratives we hear and repeat shape what we believe is possible. In
the face of increasing disinformation, censorship, and culture war
backlash, it's more important than ever to reclaim narrative as a tool
for racial justice.

In this Learning Lab, you'll learn how to:

* Identify and challenge harmful dominant narratives

* Strategically craft stories that build connection and inspire action

* Use narrative to shift perceptions, build public will, and support
equitable policy

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Whether you're a communicator, strategist, facilitator, or organizer,
this lab will equip you to reshape how people understand race and
equity, and what they believe can be done about it.

Join us for the Narrative Lab
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Build Your Practice with Our Full Training Lineup

Building Racial Equity (BRE)

Next sessions — September 9 and 25

A foundational training for understanding systemic racism, developing
shared language, and beginning your organizational equity journey.

NOTE: This is one of two course options required to begin our Racial
Equity Training Series.

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Register Here [[link removed]]

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Governing for Racial Equity (GRE)

Next session — September 30, December 9

Explore how public institutions can confront and transform systemic
racism. GRE is designed for government professionals seeking to embed
equity into policy, programs, and institutional culture.

NOTE: This is one of two course options required to begin our Racial
Equity Training Series.

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Register Here [[link removed]]

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Decision-Making for Racial Equity (DRE)

Next session — October 8

Learn to use Race Forward's Racial Equity Decision-Making Tool to make
values-aligned, race-conscious decisions in your workplace or program.

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Register Here [[link removed]]

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Power Building for Racial Equity (PRE)

Next session — October 16

Explore how power operates and learn how to build collective, liberatory
power that drives systemic racial justice.

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Register Here [[link removed]]

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Facilitating for Racial Equity (FRE)

Next session — October 22-23

Develop the confidence and skills to lead race-explicit conversations in
multiracial settings with empathy, clarity, and purpose.

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Register Here [[link removed]]

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What Participants Are Saying "By far the best virtual training I've ever
had. For someone who is introverted, the format really helped me engage
without overwhelm."

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Building Narrative Power

From the Freedom Songs of the Civil Rights Movement to storytelling from
the Indigenous Land Back Movements to the murals of the Black Lives
Matter movement, cultural organizing has always been central to
advancing justice.

Today, we face coordinated efforts to control narratives, erase
histories of resistance, and suppress our voices. Our response must be
equally coordinated. Join us for these upcoming narrative power-building
opportunities.

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
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and our information package to learn more about this opportunity.

Apply by August 22! [[link removed]]

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Narrative Strategies That Win

If you want to dig even deeper into building your narrative skills, join
us for this multi-day convening of narrative strategists, communicators,
creatives, storytellers, racial justice advocates, and movement
builders.

Learn More
[[link removed]]

Even in the face of backlash, we will continue to build.

The movement for racial justice continues, and we are stronger together.
Join us [[link removed]]
for a training this fall to connect and create new strategies for
resistance.

In solidarity,

Ashley Johnson
Training Innovation Manager

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Interested in customized training for your organization? Let us tailor
our sessions to meet your specific needs!

Sign Up for a Free Consultation

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