The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) is hosting a four-day convening with the nation’s leading civil rights, social justice and community leaders to engage participants in a collaborative process toward moving America from a “racialized democracy” to a more inclusive one.
The extraordinary gathering will explore ways for diverse communities to engage in authentic efforts to address racial bias and to heal the racial wounds of the past that continue to create fear, antagonism and barriers to opportunities for vulnerable children.
The convening, held April 24 to April 27 in New Orleans, features leaders such as Harry Belafonte,
entertainer and civil rights pioneer; Marc Morial,
former New Orleans Mayor and president and CEO of the National Urban League; Janet Murguia,
president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza; Jacqueline Johnson Pata,
executive director of National Congress of American Indians; Maria Hinojosa,
anchor and managing editor of NPR’s Latino USA; Rinku Sen,
executive director of the Applied Research Center; Ben Jealous,
president and CEO of the NAACP; Kathleen Ko,
president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum; Donna Brazile,
political strategist and TV commentator; Charles Ogletree,
Harvard University law professor and executive director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice; and many others.
“Our Healing for Democracy conference is designed to further the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s goal to improve life outcomes for vulnerable children and their families in Black and rural communities across America,” said Sterling Speirn, the foundation’s president and CEO.
“We are gathering nearly 500 people representing a broad range of ethnic communities to forge new relationships and to strategize on how we can work together to create equitable opportunities for our children’s future.”Dr. Gail Christopher, WKKF’s vice president of program strategy, said the convening comes at a critical time for the nation. “
Trayvon Martin‘s tragic killing, the shootings in Tulsa, the beating death of an Iraqi-American woman in California and organized efforts to suppress voter participation for people of color all exemplify the need for racial healing that can break down the historic barriers that have divided our nation.
Our convening will help the participants bring racial healing to their communities.” The conference will be held at the New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street. A list of dial-in numbers for media to hear key panel discussions is provided below. Transcripts will also be available for download from www.wkkf.org or www.AmericaHealing.org.Among the key events will be:8:30 AM CST.
Wednesday, 4/25 ““ “Unconscious Bias and Race” moderated by Hinojosa; Panelists: Rachel Godsil, director of research, American Values Institute; Phillip Goff, assistant professor, Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles; john powell, director, Haas Center for Diversity and Inclusion and Robert D. Haas Chancellor’s Chair in Equity and Inclusion, University of California, Berkeley; David Williams, professor of African and African American studies, Harvard University.
Media Dial-in: 1-866-680-0168; Participant Code: 34116810 AM CST. Wednesday, 4/25 ““ Media Briefing with WKKF Grantees moderated by Joanne Krell, vice president of communications, WKKF; Grantees:
Roxana Tynan, executive director, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE); Valerie Davidson, senior director of legal and intergovernmental affairs for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and board member of the First Alaskans Institute; Kysha Brown Robinson, executive director, Central City Renaissance Alliance (New Orleans); and Inez Gonzales, executive vice president, National Hispanic Media Coalition. Media Dial-in: 1-866-277-4013; Participant Code: 1941204:45 PM CST.
Wednesday, 4/25 ““ “In Conversation with Harry Belafonte” moderated by Ogletree; A screening of “Sing Your Song,” filmmaker Susanne Rostock’s documentary on the rich life story of this remarkable artist and humanitarian. It is followed by a conversation between Belafonte and Ogletree about his life and race in America.
Media Dial-in: 1-866-680-0168; Participant Code: 3411688:30 AM CST Thursday, 4/26 ““ “Power, Privilege and Democracy” moderated by Ogletree; Panelists: Brazile; Barbara Arnwine, executive director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Ian Haney Lopez, John H. Boalt Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley; Peggy McIntosh, associate director, Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College.
Media Dial-in: 1-866-680-0168; Participant Code: 34116810:15 AM CST Thursday, 4/26 ““ “Removing Racial Barriers in Education” moderated by Rehema Ellis, Education Correspondent for NBC News; Panelists:
Lisa Delpit, executive director, Center for Urban Education and Innovation, Florida International University and Distingui
