Dear Friend, 

With great excitement and a profound sense of hope, we are pleased to announce that Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference will take place this November 10-12, 2020!

For over 15 years, Race Forward has brought you Facing Race, the largest multiracial, inter-generational gathering for organizers, educators, creatives, and other leaders. It’s an incredible conference experience that has hosted over 4,000 attendees from all over the world to convene, organize and mobilize for a more equitable future. Previous Facing Race National Conferences have been held in Atlanta, Baltimore, Berkeley, Chicago, Dallas, Oakland, New York, and Detroit. And now, Facing Race 2020 is going virtual. 

Watch and share the Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference announcement video, in which Leslie Grant, Director of Conferences and Convenings speaks on the conference's shift to a virtual format. 

It is with deep love and care for our Facing Race community that we make these alternative plans due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to center the safety and well-being of our attendees and our staff. Yes, Facing Race is going virtual and our 2020 partners in North Carolina will continue to serve as our virtual host committee for this year’s event!

Listen to the Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast’s bonus episode “Five Things To Know About Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference,” with Hiba and Chevon.

The tumultuous events of 2020 have deeply affected our communities. From persistent inequities in our systems, to profound injustices in law enforcement, to attacks on civil and voting rights—democracy is under siege. Like those who came before us, we must organize to create and build the society we want to live in. This is a time to press forward as a coalition of movement makers. In the words of the late champion and icon, Rep. John Lewis, “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime."

Join us in November, right after the Presidential election, and let's bring together all of the hope, optimism, love, and strategies we have, to one grand convening for justice. Register for Facing Race, and spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also help by having a friend subscribe to our newsletter, or subscribe to Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast.

P.S. – A Just Multiracial Democracy: It Takes All Of Us Please take action by supporting Race Forward today. Your donation supports Race Forward to catalyze movement building for racial justice—advancing racial justice in our communities, policies, institutions, and culture.

Check out our latest below!

Who's Hiring?

Race Forward is! And so are a host of other organizations

Do you know someone who has a passion for racial justice, lots of experience in strategic communications, and a marketing background in nonprofit or mission-driven companies? Awesome!

We’re looking for a savvy person with public relations, marketing, and branding acumen to join us as a Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Public Engagement at Race Forward!

To join us in catalyzing communities, government, and other institutions to dismantle structural racism, take a moment to view Race Forward’s open positions. You can also check out the career pages of some additional organizations, below:

• Careers at Race Forward
• Jobs at Advancement Project
• Employment at Demos
• Careers at PolicyLink
• Jobs at Othering & Belonging Institute

More Racial Equity Tools for the Movement 

Race Forward's newest work on policy platforms, cannabis justice, and COVID-19 

As the political party conventions wrap this week, Race Forward—along with People’s Action, the National Congress of American Indians, PolicyLink, the National Urban League, Demos, UnidosUS, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, and Rights & Democracy—has released Principles for Racially Equitable Policy Platforms. This set of five principles is directed at parties to prioritize racial equity across their policy platforms to set a path for “the multiracial inclusive democracy that realizes our highest ideals.” Read more here. 

On August 27th, Race Forward will host #RaceAnd Cannabis, a free webinar in which participants will learn about how and why the legalization of cannabis is not just an economic and public health issue, but also a racial justice issue. Join us for this free virtual event on August 27th, because it’s never race alone. It’s always #RaceAnd. 

The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) has a toolkit for institutions looking to build more thoughtful racial equity practices in responding to the continued COVID-19 crisis. The Racial Equity Tool for COVID-19 Response and Recovery looks at desired results, data, community engagement, and strategies, and measures them alongside root causes of inequity, racial impacts, and unintended consequences.

Staff Picks

During these trying times, it's important to share the small things that keep us going. In this edition, we hear from our Senior Digital Strategist, Chevon Drew.  

"Because I think more attention should be paid to healing from racial trauma that people of color experience in society and at workplaces over time, I'm fascinated with listening to "The Homecoming Podcast." It's hosted by Dr. Thema, who uses a liberation psychology approach to discuss how people experiencing ongoing racism and other trauma can avoid letting trauma silence the inner self. She also shares how justice-minded folks can begin to release "the world is on my shoulders" beliefs, and release overwork. She shares tips on making space for rest & recovery, and communicating healthy boundaries as part of the necessary rhythm of doing racial justice work while living in the racist system."

Credit: The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema

What are you listening to, watching, reading and learning? Tell us on Twitter or Facebook.

In solidarity,

Team Race Forward