Dear Friend, 

“It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

- Frederick Douglas 

In response to growing recognition of how systemic racism affects every life outcome in our country, the efforts to shut down critical racial equity work, education, and conversations have intensified. President Biden rescinded Executive Order 13950, which banned this work in federal government and federally-funded contractors and institutions, replacing it with others to advance racial equity. Recently, opponents have begin introducing a variety of state legislative bills, some that have passed, banning racial equity work in government and education on race in schools. The impact has been immediate: city, state, and federal government agencies have been forced to halt racial equity training, and there is a growing debate on teaching critical race theory in school districts across the country. 

Join Race Forward and other leading racial justice organizations for Banned Words: Responding to Efforts to Prohibit Conversations About Racism in Government and Schools this Monday, June 14 at 11 AM/ ET. 

• Hear from leaders across the country about the impacts of attacks on racial equity work in state, local government and schools. 
• Learn about the history of these attacks. 
• Receive key communication tools and narrative strategies that focus on the benefit of a racial equity agenda. 

In this moment, it’s more important than ever to continue having honest and courageous conversations about race - how it shows up in our past and informs our present - to be able to continue working to fulfill the promise of a just, multiracial democracy. 

In Solidarity, 

The Race Forward Team