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

Facing Race 2024

St. Louis, MO

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Facing Race. Our Power, Our Solutions. Pink monochromatic photos of individuals speaking overlaied with pink floral and green plant matter.

Facing Race was held in St. Louis, Nov. 20-22 at the America’s Center Convention Complex. MSNBC Host Joy-Ann Reid headlined the conference.

While this was the first time since the pandemic the Facing Race conference was held completely in-person, main stage content and a small number of breakout sessions were available for virtual attendees.

Video Highlights

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Keynote Speaker(s)

Joy-Ann Reid

Highlighted Sessions


Breakout Sessions

Power to Shape Narrative

Constructing Solidarity Narratives during Conflict and Crisis
Where We Thrive: Affirming People, Place, and Race Through Narrative Change
Advancing Racial Justice with Futures Thinking Frameworks and Tools
When the Wildest Dream Comes True, It’s a Show Down for the Ancestors!
National Equity Atlas: Working Together in Research Justice Towards Data Equity
Operationalizing Love: Utilizing a Critical Theory of Love in Our Social Justice & Movement Building Work
Crafting Powerful Opinion Essays That Will Get Published
Creating Home as Permanent Hyphens: A Session on Belonging, Identity, and Liberation
Energizing Justice: Empowering Communities through Climate Forward Initiatives
Connected Freedoms: Narrative Strategies for the Liberation of Queer and Trans People
{R}evolution in Action: Building Narrative Power through Community
Reflecting on Black-Palestinian Solidarity Ten Years After Ferguson
Everyone Is Essential: Guaranteed Income
Antisemitism: Whose Fight Is It? Why Antisemitism Is a Threat to Racial Justice & What To Do About It
Decolonizing Gender
Disruptive Discourse: The Power of Langauge in Innovation

Community & Government Connectedness

The Environmental Justice Academy: Enhancing Community Capacity, Knowledge Production and Citizen Empowerment

DEI in Local Government

Consultancy for DEI Trending Topics
Building for All: Connecting Inclusive Practices to Improve the Built Environment and Beyond

Economic Justice and Racial Wealth Equity

There’s No Upward Mobility Without Racial Equity: Tools and Processes for Making Structural Progress
Using the Power of Local Government to Build Racial Wealth Equity
Impact over Identity: Crafting Rigorous Social Entrepreneurship Policy in, for, and by Communities of Struggle

Intersectionalities in Racial Justice

No Justice without Disability and Language Justice
Institutional Approaches for Countering Islamophobia

Land & Housing Solutions

The Power of Regional Convenings: Bringing Local Jurisdictions Together to Advance Racially Equitable Planning and Development

2024 Conference News

Know Before you GO!

As we gear up for the Facing Race conference, we’re excited to share some important details to help you make the most of this powerful event!

Meet the Host Committee

Meet our team.

In Our Power

Our Facing Race conference theme, “Our Power, Our Solutions,” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a clarion call that resonates deeply with St. Louis’ residents and community leaders.

Past Conferences