On Tuesday, January 16, communities across the state and the country are coming together to observe the eighth annual National Day of Racial Healing, a time to contemplate our shared values and create the blueprint together for #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism.

This annual observance is hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) and was created with and builds on the work and learnings of the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation community partners. Fundamental to this day is a clear understanding that racial healing is at the core of racial equity. This day is observed every year on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Launched in 2017, it is an opportunity to bring all people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world.

WKKF shares that racial healing is the experience shared by people when they speak openly and hear the truth about past wrongs and negative impacts created by individual and systemic racism. Racial healing helps to build trust among people and restores communities to wholeness so they can work together on changing the systems and structures that affirm the inherent value of all people.

Last year, WKKF, in partnership with NBC News Group, launched a digital series, Changing the Narrative, that explores how racism touches all of our lives, regardless of skin color or background.

The second installment of the digital series features powerful storytelling and personal experiences of immigrants and their experiences with racism, how Americans navigate the realities of racism, how individuals are healing from racial trauma and more.

WKKF is providing several activity ideas, conversation guides and toolkits for creating engaging racial healing experiences for youth and community, professional settings and among policymakers to utilize year-round.

CMF members and communities across Michigan are hosting events today and this week in observance of the National Day of Racial Healing. Here’s how you can get involved:

Flint

January 17 | The Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF) and the Sloan Museum will welcome Rich Harwood, nationally renowned speaker and author, for a special keynote address followed by a Q&A. This event will explore how the Flint community can forge a new pathway forward, create a can-do narrative and catalyze action. View Event.

January 19 | CFGF is hosting a free, exclusive screening of “Origin,” a 2023 American biographical film based on the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, which describes racism in the U.S. as an aspect of a caste system. Learn More.

Kalamazoo

January 21 | Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and community partners will reflect together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Learn More.

Lansing

January 16 | One Love Global is hosting a hybrid program including a healing circle and opportunities for action. View Event.

Detroit

January 16 Events:

Wayne State University is hosting a day-long event highlighting how to talk about racism’s impact and how to use practices to guide healing from racism. Learn More.

New Detroit is hosting a virtual town hall, “A Conversation about Racial Healing.” View Event.  

Neighborhood Tours Detroit is hosting a conversation to learn the importance of stormwater management in an eastside Detroit Community. View Event.

Battle Creek

January 16 Events:

Battle Creek Coalition for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation is hosting a conversation imagining 100 years without racism in Battle Creek. The event will offer an opportunity to share collective dreams of what the community will look like in 100 years. View Event.

Early Childhood Connections at Calhoun Intermediate School District will provide learning activities and materials for children and families to play and learn together to support young children in developing a positive sense of self, respect and compassion for others, and the courage to speak up for others when they see injustice. Learn More.

Holland

January 16 Events:

Hope College Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Campus Center is hosting a Racial Healing Circle that will bring together members of the local community to engage in the sharing of stories and relationship building and continue to work toward narrative change in the community. View Event.

Hope College will also host a screening of “Black Man,” a documentary film produced by a Muskegon, Michigan native about Black men in Muskegon County. Learn More.

January 18 |The Kruizenga Art Museum will be featuring the exhibition “Deep Roots, New Shoots: Modern and Contemporary Art” from the KAM Collection and will host a reception on January 18. Learn More.

View All Events.

Want more?

Learn more about the National Day of Racial Healing.

Watch WKKF’s digital series Changing the Narrative.