Today is National Day of Racial Healing, an annual observance held on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation established this day in 2017 as a call to action, part of their broader Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation initiative. This national effort focuses on community-based processes to achieve substantial and lasting change by fostering relationship building, community understanding, and trust.
The National Day of Racial Healing provides a platform for individuals, particularly those affected by racial inequities, to share their experiences and strengthen connections across racial identities. It’s a day dedicated to promoting healing and reconciliation.
Elon University has been commemorating this day since 2022 with various events. This year, the Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development and the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education are co-hosting a “How We Heal” community dinner and dialogue.
Alt text: Circular logo for National Day of Racial Healing with text and graphic elements promoting healing and transformation.
This event aims to facilitate open conversations, reflection, and the development of actionable steps towards Elon University’s vision of inclusive excellence. Engaging in dialogue allows for listening, reflection, and strategizing action steps to move towards a more inclusive environment. These activities resonate with core values such as respecting diversity and fostering meaningful relationships.
The National Day of Racial Healing encourages reflection on the past year and planning for the year ahead. It’s an opportunity for collective healing and progress. Learning about this day promotes stronger relationships across racial and other identity differences through reflection and storytelling. This day underscores the importance of building strong relationships and understanding across diverse backgrounds. It emphasizes reflection and open dialogue as crucial steps toward healing and positive change.
This year’s community dinner and dialogue, titled “How We Heal,” is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16th, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in McKinnon Hall. The event focuses on shared values and collaborative efforts to build a more just and equitable world. Space is limited, and registration is required.
