On Tuesday, communities across the state and the U.S. will come together for essential and timely conversations on racial healing, equity and justice for the fifth annual National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH).

The annual day of recognition is part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s (WKKF) Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) effort, a national, community-based process of transformative, sustainable change, addressing the historic and contemporary effects of racism.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also declared January 19 as the Michigan Day of Racial Healing. Whitmer’s proclamation emphasizes coming together to celebrate our common humanity, building relationships and working together to solve the issues facing Michigan and the nation. The Office of Foundation Liaison helped to facilitate the formal declaration with the governor’s office.

This year’s NDORH offers more opportunities for engagement as events have shifted to a virtual format. In addition to a national livestream event hosted by WKKF on January 19, sites across Michigan will host their own localized events. Michigan is home to four of the 14 TRHT collaborations in the country. The sites in Battle Creek, Flint, Kalamazoo and Lansing have been working deeply in TRHT efforts, supported by CMF with funding from WKKF.

How you can get involved:

Battle Creek: The Battle Creek Coalition for TRHT is hosting several events on the NDORH, including an online book project and an in-person exhibit on cultivating the community’s racial narrative history timeline. More information can be found on the Battle Creek Coalition for TRHT’s Facebook page.

Detroit: Wayne State University is hosting a virtual National Day of Healing from Racism event, with a focus on self-care to recover from trauma caused by racism. Learn more and register on Wayne State’s website.

Kalamazoo: TRHT Kalamazoo is hosting several events this week in honor of the NDORH. These include a virtual healing experience on January 18, an NDORH celebration on January 19 and a public reading of "From Here to Equality" by William A. Darity and A. Kristen Mullen on January 21. Learn more about all of TRHT Kalamazoo’s NDORH events on its website.

Lansing: TRHT Lansing is hosting a racial healing event focused on relationship building and transforming systems. Learn more and register.

A full list of Michigan NDORH events can be found here.

You can also participate by sparking conversation in your own organization, networks or family by using the Take Action kit or by participating in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #HowWeHeal.

TRHT has also produced a guide for foundations to lead conversations in their communities.

CMF staff will be participating in NDORH as well through an internal facilitated conversation focusing on the role of philanthropy in addressing racism and racial equity.

Want more?

See all Michigan NDORH events.

Learn more about TRHT.