Facing Race is back! This time in Raleigh, NC — November 12-14, 2026.

all Conference Sessions

Session Date & Time Speaker(s) Type Track
Solidarity Economies: Hyperlocal Strategies to Create Durable and Equitable Communities During Times of Political Transformation - Kellee Coleman, Miguel Algarin Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Documenting Community Leadership to Build a Just Food System - Jei Laura, Yasmine Anderson Breakout Session Power to Organize
Whose Narrative Matters: DIY Narrative Research Methods in Narrative Organizing - Rachel Weidinger, Zakyree Wallace, Elliot Ramo Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Bridging Philanthropy and Reparations: The Reparations Grantmaking Blueprint - Aria Florant, Dr. Cheryl Grills Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
From StopCopCity to Palestine: Organizing for Justice - Julia Bacha, Kamau Franklin Breakout Session Power to Organize
Books Can Change the World!: Publishing for a More Just World, 101 - zakia henderson-brown, Ben Woodward Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Demilitarizing and Democratizing Transportation - LeeAnn Hall, Kim Smith, JaNae Bates Breakout Session Power to Organize
Political Prosecutions in the Era of Rising Authoritarianism - Ken Chapman, Marlon Katz Breakout Session Power to Organize
Dismantling Antisemitism: A Proactive, Racial Justice Strategy for Government and the Public Sector - Diana Dvora Falchuk, Shoshana Brown Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Two Futures Scenario & Strategy Workshop: How to Maximize Racial Justice & Power-Building in Every Post-Election Scenario - Sulma Arias, Domenico Romero, Amanda Weaver Breakout Session Power to Organize
Over, Under, Around and Through: The Many Ways to Advance Racial Equity in the Face of Legal Attacks - Margaret Duan, Dariely Rodriguez Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Promoting Equity and Inclusion at the MacArthur Foundation: A Philanthropic Case Study - La Keisha Leek, Hauwa Kazeem Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Love Letter to the Lou - Manal Al-ansi, MAT, Esq. Breakout Session Power to Organize
Sustaining Movement Beyond the Moment: Lessons from St. Louis - Jason Purnell, Charli Cooksey, Erica Henderson Breakout Session Power to Organize
From Symbolic Solidarity to White Accountability: How White Women in Leadership Can and Must Own Our Role in Perpetuating or Actively Dismantling Racism in Service of Antiracist Impact in Our Institutions - Erika Bernabei, Elodie Baquerot Lavery Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
The Grab: Talking About State Takeovers, White Supremacy, and How We Keep Our Power - Judith Browne Dianis, Makani Themba, Jennifer Dillon, Kayla Reed Breakout Session Power to Organize
Facing Race: The Complexity of Identities and Narratives Through the Lens of Native American and Indigenous Muslim Stories - Petra Alsoofy, Rahmah Abdulaleem Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Running up That Hill: Messaging to Win a Multiracial Democracy - Dennis Chin, Matthew Armstead Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Movement-building Through the Public School Strong Model: Lessons Learned and How You Plug In - Ana Mercado, Asma Elhuni, Tony Arias Sorto Breakout Session Power to Organize
Building Racial Justice into the Inflation Reduction Act with Direct Pay - Jessica Juarez Scruggs, Jeremy Al-Haj, Nick Christian Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Cultivating Psychological Safety by Interrupting White Supremacy Culture - Claire Schell Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Empowering Black Communities: Using Reproductive Justice Informed Organizing to Combat Black Voter Apathy - Ceshia Elmore, Jada Thompson Breakout Session Power to Organize
Examining Anti-Blackness: The History of White Psychopathology & Legalized Sexual Violence In America - Dante King Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Protecting Our Communities and Democracy From Threats, Intimidation, and Political Violence - Jiva Manske, Tabatha Pilgrim Thompson Breakout Session Power to Organize
Artwork for Equity: Leveraging Artistic Talents Toward Transformative Change - Thomas Savage, DeZha Smith Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
The Power to Win and Build: Co-Governing Our Communities - Sunni Hutton, Ben Matjan Palmquist, Kesi Foster Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
From Civic Trauma to Civic Healing: Mobilizing People Power to Win Real, Progressive Change - Niketa Brar Breakout Session Power to Organize
Decision-Making for Dignity: Transformation and Trust Through Direct Cash Assistance - Elizabeth Crowe, Markisha Key-Hagan Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Narrative Reframing + Rooted: Cultivating Black Wealth in Place - Michael Pagano, Ron Stodghill, Alicia Haywood Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Organizing for Healthcare Equity and Access by Impacted Communities of Color - Terrence Keleher, Gary Delgado, Lisa Castellanos Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Much Ado About Dead White Men—Working with the “Classics” while BIPOC in 5 Acts - Sarita Covington, Nelson Eusebio Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Amplifying Black Trans Aliveness - Nish Newton Breakout Session Power to Organize
Public School Vouchers and the Dismantling of Public Education - Maria Bautista, Damaris Allen, Additional community-based organizing partner TBA Breakout Session Power to Organize
Operationalizing Love: Utilizing a Critical Theory of Love in Our Social Justice & Movement Building Work - Durryle Brooks Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
If You Are Silent About Your Pain: Healing Wounds, Shaping Narratives, and Building Power - Yanique Redwood, Rachael DeCruz Racial Justice Reads Power to Shape Narrative
Advancing Transportation Equity through Collaborative Project Delivery and Wealth Creation Initiatives with USDOT - Christopher Coes, Irene Marion Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Five-4-Five - LJ Punch, Jamila Owens-Todd, Amy Miller Breakout Session Power to Organize
When the Wildest Dream Comes True, It’s a Show Down for the Ancestors! - Jacqueline Miller Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Beyond the Muslim Ban:  Taking on Islamophobia Locally and Globally - Dr. Maha Hilal, Fatema Ahmad, Ramah Kudaimi Breakout Session Power to Organize
Crafting Powerful Opinion Essays That Will Get Published - Jennifer R. Farmer, Tiffany Onyejiaka, Peppur Chambers Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
The Death Lobby: How U.S. Military Spending Siphons Funds from Human Needs and Social Programs, Boosts the Profits of Weapons Manufacturers, Buys Our Elected Leaders, and Feeds Racism at Home - Mariam Malik, Josue Sican Breakout Session Power to Organize
Why Grassroots Organizing in Community Colleges is the Key to Transforming Higher Education & Defending Democracy - Fernando Mejia Ledesma, Gabby Fitz, Xochilt Lopez Breakout Session Power to Organize
Where We Thrive: Affirming People, Place, and Race Through Narrative Change - April Callen, Rahkiah Brown, Chauniqua "Major" Major Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Lessons Learned from Philanthropy's Response to Genocide in Palestine - Chung-Wha Hong, Kathryn Snyder, Jas Wade, Vivette Jeffries-Logan Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Institutionalizing Equity and Belonging in Local Government with the Power of Data - Stewart LaPan, Ana Silvia Avendano-Curiel Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Book by Book, Block by Block: How Reading Captains are Building a Community of Readers - Lauren Campbell, Arthurine Harris, Zenique Gardner-Perry, Carrie Sak Breakout Session Power to Organize
Building Racial Equity Capacity: Justice Philanthropy - Faybra Jabulani, Sarah C. Murphy Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Advancing Racial Justice with Futures Thinking Frameworks and Tools - Jarvis Williams, Julia Roig Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Five Elements to a Thriving Anti-Racist Health Foundation - Lauren Maria Padilla-Valverde, Sabina Gonzalez-Eraña Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Building Narrative Power to Support Collective Liberation - Leah Salgado, Savannah Romero, Joe Tolbert, Jr. Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
The Power of Memes - Arkayla Tenney-Howard Breakout Session Power to Organize
Beyond Backlash: Strengthening Racial Equity Capacity Building Amid DEI Pushback - Tasia Ahuja Smith, Cynthia Silva Parker, Amy Casso, Nikko Viquiera Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
United Against Supremacy: Resisting Hindu and White Supremacist Politics and Their Harm to Our Communities - Prachi Patankar, Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Working with Municipal Partners: Negotiating Equity into Community Projects - Xavier Lofton, Valeria Menendez, Nellie Graham Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Constructing Solidarity Narratives during Conflict and Crisis - Deepa Iyer, Anna Castro Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
A Decade of Activism: Reflections and Future Directions - Annissa G. McCaskill, Michael Brown Sr., Cal Brown Breakout Session Power to Organize
Kaleidoscope of Identity: From Unseen to Seen Through Art - Ashley Hernandez, Janelle Matias Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Building a Statewide Prison Advocacy Movement in Missouri; the most northern State of the South: Strategy, Obstacles & Necessity - ML Smith, Ronnie Amiyn, Sheena Eastburn, Maurice Davis Breakout Session Power to Organize
National Equity Atlas: Working Together in Research Justice Towards Data Equity - Michelle Huang, Simone Robbennolt Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Reimagining Youth Justice in Los Angeles: Materializing New Well-Being Structures - Tshaka Barrows, David Carroll, Raquel Mariscal Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
10 Years After Ferguson: What the Movement Taught Us, Where We Go From Here - Annissa G. McCaskill, Michael Brown Sr., Cal Brown, Kayla Reed Plenary Session General
Keynote Address: Joy-Ann Reid - Joy-Ann Reid Keynote General
Climate Migration: Dreaming Forward - Makeeba Browne Breakout Session Power to Organize
Energizing Justice: Empowering Communities through Climate Forward Initiatives - Daphany R Sanchez, Yoselin Genao, Keila Delfina Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Transforming Local Government Through Equity-Centered Coaching - Yey Morales, Grace Bagunu, Lisa Ann Kim Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
It only takes a few: Leveraging Inside/Outside strategies to advance Racial Equity in Housing and Equitable Development at the Local Level - Alex Fennell, Giulia Pasciuto, Ubax Gardheere Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Creating Home as Permanent Hyphens: A Session on Belonging, Identity, and Liberation - Meenakshi Verma-Agrawal, Christopher Tse Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Antisemitism, Mega-Donors, Israel | Palestine and More: Challenges Facing Jewish Philanthropy and Impacts on Justice Movements - Ginna Green, Chi-Ante Jones, Joanna Ware Breakout Session Power to Organize
Which Equity Tools and Resources Are a Good Fit for Your Community? - Celina Barrios-Millner, Olivia Soledad, Karolina Ramos, Lee Evans, Chitra Balakrishnan Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Connected Freedoms: Narrative Strategies for the Liberation of Queer and Trans People - Tasia Ahuja Smith, Nikko Viquiera Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Place-Based Strategies for Building Community Power and Addressing the Root Causes of Housing and Land Injustice - Mohanad Alnajjar, Anusha Venkataraman, Lucy Berman Breakout Session Power to Organize
Advancing Racial Equity is Both a Social Goal and Driver of Business and Economic Growth - Lindsey Wilson, Genesis Gavino Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Governing for Racial Equity: California’s New Racial Equity Commission - Dr. Larissa Estes, Julia Caplan, Maria Barakat Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Real Talk About Building Organizational Capacity for Racial Equity: A Peer Exchange - Cynthia Silva Parker, Miriam Messinger, Mercedes Brown Breakout Session Power to Organize
Antisemitism: Whose Fight Is It? Why Antisemitism Is a Threat to Racial Justice & What To Do About It - Megan Black Johnson, Evan Milligan Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Combating Systemic Racism While Centering People With Lived Experience of Homelessness - Amber Chandler, Tanesha Travis Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Our Ancestral Strategy: Black Feminist Organizing Tactics Against the Prison Industrial Complex - Tanasia Newman, Yemi Belachew Breakout Session Power to Organize
{R}evolution in Action: Building Narrative Power through Community - Miko Lee, Kana Hammon Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Fighting Anti-Palestinian Racism: A guide for Advancing Equity and Transforming institutions of Education and Government - Wassim Kanaan, Dr. Maha Hilal, Asma Elhuni Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
Decolonizing Gender - Malcolm Shanks, Justice Gaines Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Everyone Is Essential: Guaranteed Income - Emma Guttman-Slater, Eshe Shukura Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
History of Black Midwifery: How Colonialism, Race & Capitalism Impacted Home Birth in Black Communities - Okunsola M. Amadou, N/A Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
For the People and For Justice: Building Black Power in Detroit - Breechaye Milburn, Nancy A. Parker, Theo Pride, Renard Monczunski Breakout Session Power to Organize
Reflecting on Black-Palestinian Solidarity Ten Years After Ferguson - Sandra Tamari, Montague Simmons Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Disruptive Discourse: The Power of Langauge in Innovation - Vanessa Wakeman, Liza Mueller, Shelby Seth, Antionette D. Carroll, Jessica Mecellem Breakout Session Power to Shape Narrative
Sustaining our Work Through Community Healing - Taylor Mason, Rebeccah Bennett Breakout Session Power to Organize
Racial Justice Through Resident Leadership: Neighborhood Leadership Fellows Transforming the St. Louis Promise Zone Through Collaboration, Policy, and Power - Tasnim Haq, Dwayne James, Claire Rippel Breakout Session Power to Organize
Restoratively Reckoning & Resisting - Shenekia Weeks, Shay Stevens Breakout Session Power to Transform Institutions
From Hope to Action: Building Multiracial Solidarity - Murad Awawdeh, Deepa Iyer, Erin Heaney, Don Ragona, Yavilah McCoy Plenary Session General