On Tuesday, communities across the state and the U.S. will come together for events and programming for the fourth 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.

The NDORH website shares: “Racial healing is not only important, it is essential. Because healing is at the heart of racial equity.”

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.

This year you can participate in the NDORH virtually via a livestream, spark conversation in your own office, networks or family by using the NDORH individual action kit or attend one of the in-person events happening around the state.

There are several events taking place in Michigan TRHT communities and in Detroit. 

Highlights include:

Battle Creek, January 21:

• Lifting Our Voices: Sharing Stories of Strength and Resilience Community Dinner: TRHT Battle Creek is hosting its inaugural community dinner for racial healing. You can learn more and RSVP on Facebook.

Detroit, January 21:

• Detroit Let's Talk About Race: The Civil Rights Inclusion and Opportunity Department is hosting a community conversation on race for Detroiters. Learn more and RSVP.

Kalamazoo, January 21:

• Local Day of Racial Healing Celebration: This year's event is a family friendly community celebration featuring local artists and a Truth Talk with youth and community voices. Attendees can also learn more about how TRHT Kalamazoo connects racial healing and systemic change in Kalamazoo County and beyond. Learn more and RSVP.

• Racial Healing Circle: TRHT Kalamazoo is also hosting a racial healing circle for 20 participants. It marks the first time the site has hosted a racial healing circle on the National Day of Racial Healing. Learn more and RSVP.

Lansing, January 21:

• Powerful Youth & Adult Allies Webinar: This one-hour lunch and learn webinar focuses on listening to and supporting local young people. Participants will learn about work in progress to increase civic participation of youth and young adults, as well as strategies to show up for young people who are leading transformative change. Learn more and register.

• National Day of Racial Healing Lansing Celebration: Join TRHT Lansing for a community-wide racial healing event, exploring what racial healing is and how we heal, celebrating common humanity and growing in beloved community. The event will honor the tradition of healing circles, which is rooted in Indigenous cultures, as participants share personal experiences and stories. Learn more and RSVP.

If you can’t make it to one of the in-person events happening in Michigan tomorrow, you can still be involved by joining the W.K. Kellogg Foundation national livestream event that’s happening from 9 a.m. to noon. You can also join the conversation via social media by using the hashtag #HowWeHeal.

CMF staff will be actively participating in NDORH as well, with facilitated conversation focusing on the role of philanthropy in addressing racism and racial equity.

Want more?

Check out all of the NDORH Michigan events.

Connect with the NDORH individual action kit.

Learn more about TRHT.