Elon University continues its tradition of observing the National Day of Racial Healing, held annually on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 2024, this significant day falls on January 16th. The university’s Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development, in collaboration with the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE), is hosting a “How We Heal” community dinner and dialogue to commemorate the occasion.
This event provides a platform for open dialogue, enabling participants to listen, reflect, and formulate actionable steps toward achieving Elon’s vision of Inclusive Excellence. These activities resonate deeply with Elon’s core values, emphasizing respect for diversity and fostering meaningful relationships. Such engagement is particularly crucial in the current social climate.
The National Day of Racial Healing originated in 2017 as an initiative of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. It serves as a call to action, aligning with the foundation’s broader Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation effort. This national initiative promotes community-based processes to facilitate transformative and sustainable change by fostering understanding, trust, and strong relationships.
Alt: National Day of Racial Healing logo promoting the annual event and highlighting its focus on truth, racial healing, and transformation.
Elon University first recognized the National Day of Racial Healing in 2022 and has since demonstrated an ongoing commitment to hosting related events and activities. The day provides a dedicated space for individuals from all backgrounds to share their experiences and perspectives, fostering stronger relationships across racial identities. It’s a time for reflection on the past year and a collective reset for the year ahead.
The National Day of Racial Healing underscores the importance of building bridges across racial and other differences through shared stories and thoughtful reflection. This day emphasizes the ongoing journey towards collective healing and reconciliation.
The “How We Heal” community dinner and dialogue, scheduled for January 16th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in McKinnon Hall, will offer a structured environment for participants to engage with the themes of the day. The event aims to foster a sense of shared humanity and inspire collaborative action towards a more just and equitable world. Space is limited, and registration is required for attendance. This event aims to provide a space for reflection on shared values and to collaboratively create a blueprint for healing and building a more equitable future.
