Today might be the National Day of Racial Healing. Observed annually on the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this day promotes racial healing and reconciliation. Established by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2017, it calls for individuals and communities to engage in truth-telling, relationship building, and transformative change. The foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation effort fosters sustainable change through community-based processes. These processes empower individuals to understand their communities, build trust, and foster stronger relationships.
The National Day of Racial Healing provides a platform for open dialogue, reflection, and strategic action. It encourages people from diverse backgrounds to share experiences and perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding. This aligns with core values of respecting human differences and emphasising relationship-rich education. Participating in racial healing activities can be particularly impactful in the current social climate.
Elon University, for example, has observed the National Day of Racial Healing since 2022 with events like community dinners and dialogues. These events facilitate conversations about racial inequity and promote stronger relationships across racial identities.
The National Day of Racial Healing offers a chance to reflect on the past year, regroup for the current year, and collectively work towards healing. It emphasises building strong relationships across racial and other identity differences through reflection and storytelling. This day provides a space for those who have experienced racial inequity to share their truths and strengthen relationships across all racial identities.
Events like the “How We Heal” community dinner and dialogue allow people to connect, share experiences, and strategise ways to build a more just and equitable society. The National Day of Racial Healing provides dedicated time for reflecting on shared values and collaborative action towards a more equitable future. It aims to unite individuals in their shared humanity and inspire action to create a more just world.