FAQ
About Facing Race
Facing Race: A National Conference is presented by Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation. A unique collaborative space for racial justice movement making, Facing Race is the largest multiracial, intergenerational gathering for organizers, educators, creatives, and other leaders.
Facing Race 2018 will be held in Detroit, Michigan on November 8-10, 2018. Previous Facing Race National Conferences have been held in Atlanta,Dallas, Baltimore,Chicago, Berkeley, Oakland, and New York.
Facing Race is for people from all walks of life who desire to build awareness of racial equity, identify solutions, and come together with people who share a passion for racial justice. Facing Race welcomes people of all ages, races, ethnicities, occupations, sexual orientation, gender identity, faith, and political ideology.
Facing Race 2018 will be held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center (located at 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226) on November 8-10, 2018. Previous Facing Race National Conferences have been held in Atlanta, Baltimore, Berkeley, Chicago, Dallas, Oakland, and New York.
Registration & Pricing
Trailblazer: This registration level provides you full access to Facing Race, and supports four additional registrations for scholarship attendees. You sponsor new participants in the Facing Face community and by registering at this level, $1,800 is tax-deductible in the US to the extent permitted by law.
Supporter: This registration grants you full access to Facing Race, and supports the scholarship of one additional conference participant. You sponsor a new participant in the Facing Face community and by registering at this level, $465 is tax-deductible in the US to the extent permitted by law.
Sustainer: This registration provides you access to all programs and sessions. If your organization is contributing to the cost of your registration, we ask that you choose this level. By registering at this level, you support the sustainability of Facing Race.
Connector: This registration level is discounted for racial justice professionals, organizers, freelancers, and activists. It provides full access to Facing Race for individuals who are covering the registration cost out of their own funds.
Basebuilder: This subsidized registration option is for students, underemployed individuals, or those living on a fixed income.
Registration Rate Levels:
| Trailblazer | $2,250 |
| Supporter | $900 |
| Sustainer | $465 |
| Connector | $285 |
| Basebuilder | $185 |
| Daily Rate | $275 |
| Group Discounts of 5 or more | Contact Facing Race Team |
| Media Passes | Pass code required — apply for a media credential |
For media passes apply for a media credential
For Group Discounts of 5 or more email facingrace@raceforward.org
*Prices are subject to increase after September 30th, 2018.
Facing Race registration includes full access to conference materials and program including: keynote presentation, plenary sessions, breakout sessions, gallery space, evening events, and special performances.
Full registration comes with breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday.
Register here.
Groups of 5 people will be eligible for discounts. Group discounts will be available on February 1, 2018.
Yes, you need to create an Eventbrite login to register for the conference. This also allows you to make any registration changes, in the event of a transfer of registration or cancellation. Register here.
After you have completed your online registration, you may pay immediately via credit card Then you may download & print your registration form.
Can I pay by check if I am unable to pay via credit card?
If you are registering for one or more tickets and are unable to pay via credit card you may contact facingrace@raceforward.org with the amount of tickets that you would like to purchase, specify the ticket levels for each ticket you want to buy and the resulting total cost. The Facing Race team will confirm your request by email. Upon confirmation, please mail a check to Race Forward.
Once the check is received, Race Forward will provide you with a unique code(s) by email. Use the code(s) to register for Facing Race on Eventbrite.
Make checks payable to:
Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation
Mail checks to:
Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation
Attn: Hiba Elyass/Facing Race
150 Broadway
Suite 303
New York, NY 10038
**Please be sure to include your full name and registration confirmation number on checks.**
International Payments
Credit Card Authorization will be requested at the time of your ticket purchase. Please contact Helyass@raceforward.org or Averdesoto@raceforward.org for more information.
Yes, you can register for another person during the online registration process.
Please note: you will be asked for demographic and contact information for each registrant, as well as personalized information including dietary restrictions, childcare needs and language access needs. If you are registering on behalf of someone else, please make sure you have accurate information available.
If you are registering 5 or more people and are interested in a group discount, please contact Hiba Elyass at facingrace@raceforward.org to receive more information.
If you are no longer able to attend the 2018 Facing Race conference, refunds are possible.
Cancellations received in writing/via email before October 1, 2018 will receive a refund for their registration fee as follows:
Refund If Canceled By:
75% until 6/30/2018
50% until 8/30/2018
25% until 9/30/2018
Please note: no refunds will be processed after October 1, 2018. Refunds will be issued in the form of original method of payment to the person or organization that made the payment. If the refund request is made after 90 days after the payment date, all refunds will be issued via check to the original payee. Please allow up to 4 weeks for the refund to be processed.
You can also:
- Transfer your registration to someone in your organization or network.
- Donate your registration as a scholarship to those who need registration support.
Please contact Leslie Grant at facingraceaccounting@raceforward.org for more information on any of these options.
A portion of your ticket to Facing Race may be tax-deductible — please contact your tax advisor with additional questions. Note that donations to Race Forward may be tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
Yes, there is a special conference rate available at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center (400 Renaissance Drive, Detroit Michigan 48243| (313) 568-8000)
Conference attendees can avail of the discounted hotel room rates starting November 8, 2017. Rooms will be available to conference attendees for $170/night for single and double occupancy. More information about lodging discounts and options will be posted here on the Facing Race website in the coming months.
At Race Forward we talk about race explicitly, but not exclusively. With our “Race And” approach to racial justice movement-making, we value the voices, experiences, cultures, intellect, and multi-dimensionality of all people of color.
To support our programming & ensure that it meets the needs of our community, we ask optional questions to learn more about our audience. We understand privacy concerns, so these questions are optional and not required for conference registration. Any information you feel comfortable sharing is secure and confidential, to be used in aggregate form and without identifiers (e.g., name, email).
Thank you for your support.
Registration opens on November 13, 2017. Please check the Facing Race website for more details.
Getting There, Lodging, Logistics
Cobo Center
1 Washington Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 877-8777
Fax: (313) 877-8577
Airport:
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (24min on the n I-94 E.)
Airport Transportation
Use SKOOT to get from the airport to the Cobo Center or Downtown Hotels.
Ticket prices: $30 to the airport per person, $30 from the airport per person. Use coupon code FACINGRACE2018 for 10% off your ticket.
From Detroit Metro (DTW) to Cobo Center or Downtown Hotels
5:30am - 8:30pm — Departs every 30-45 minutes
From Downtown to Metro Airport (DTW)
5am - 8:30pm — Departs every 90 minutes
To make your shuttle reservation by phone, call (313) 230-2331 or visit SKOOT online at www.rideskoot.com. Walkups available, however reservations are highly recommended. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Schedule and pricing are not determined by Race Forward and are subject to change at any time without prior notice. ADA accessible upon request.
Downtown Transportation
The People Mover is a great way to get to the Cobo center from the Marriott and also around the downtown area. If interested in Convention passes click on the riding info tab.
Parking
Cobo Center: Parking Fee ($15 per day)
Marriot/Westin/Crown Plaza Hotels: Parking Fee ($15-$25 per day)
For more local transportation information (including driving directions, taxis, shuttles, and rentals), check out this PDF.
Facing Race 2018 will take place at the Cobo Center and lodging for the conference is available at our main hotel, Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. When placing a reservation by phone, be sure to ask for the “Facing Race” group rate.
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Reserve a discounted room online
400 Renaissance Dr, Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48243
Phone: (313) 568-8000
Fax: (313) 568-8146
If the Detroit Mariott at the Renaissance Center is full, you may also try these additional options:
MotorCity Casino Hotel
2901 Grand River Ave.
Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: (866) 782-9622
The MotorCity Casino Hotel is now offering a limited number of rooms for conference attendees for check in Weds Nov 7th and Departures Sunday Nov 11th.
Book online for our conference rate of $169/night plus tax. Use code 110618RACF when reserving online. You can also call to book your reservation and mention that you are with Race Forward or Facing Race conference. This rate is available for a limited time only.
Yes, there is a special conference rate available at the Detroit Marriott. The rate is $170/night plus tax. In order to get this rate you can call the hotel, book your reservation, and mention that you are with Facing Race. This rate is applicable to standard, double, or triple accommodations.
The room rate for the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit is $189/night plus tax.
The room rate for the Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront is $179/night plus tax.
Guests should advise the hotel of any changes in length of stay at least 24 hours before check in, as they will be charged for early departures.
Accessibility & Childcare
There will be childcare available at the Facing Race 2018 conference. When registering, please indicate whether you’ll need childcare.
Facing Race strives to create an inclusive and respectful space for all attendees. In order to do so, we have incorporated several resources to increase accessibility for attendees. These include All-Gender restrooms, Physical and Emotional Accessibility resources, and more.
Scooter and wheelchair rentals are available from Scootaround.
Vendor & Sponsor Opportunities
To learn more about organization, foundation, university, and corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Race Forward Development Director, Aimee Walker at awalker@raceforward.org.
There are vendor opportunities available for the conference. For more information contact Hendel Leiva at hleiva@raceforward.org.
Race Flicks
Yes, filmmakers outside of the U.S. are eligible to apply. However, we have limited resources to provide scholarships for filmmakers to attend.
Animated documentaries, and blended narrative-documentaries are eligible to apply.
The Race Flicks application will go live on February 1, 2018. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2018. Sign up now to receive update for when call for submissions opens!
Yes, first-time filmmakers can apply.
No.
If your film is chosen, it is possible that there will be some funds to receive a screening rights fee.
Race Flicks is a documentary film program. We will consider short films, VR, and features up to 75 minutes in length.
If your film is chosen, Race Forward will provide a one day pass to attend the conference on the day your film is screening.
We are accepting applications from documentary filmmakers with short films, VR, and features focused on powerful stories that can catalyze action for racial justice. We are particularly interested in films that have been, or could be, used strategically by activists, organizers, and nonprofits in work for racial justice. These films can also give a voice to diverse communities underrepresented by the media.
Race Forward encourages selected filmmakers to cover all or some portion of their travel and lodging to the Facing Race conference. Race Forward has limited resources available and will award travel scholarship on a case by case basis according to need. For hotel rates, see the Facing Race FAQs.
Four to six film projects will be selected for screening in this year’s Race Flicks program.
To apply, please complete the application by March 31th, 2018, including a preview link to screen your film. Only completed films will be considered. We will notify all applicants of your status via email on or after the end of June.
Yes — you may submit more than one film for consideration.
No, this is not a film festival or a competition. The application process is the only competitive component of the program.
Films can be long or short form (under 75 minutes).
Scholarships & Volunteer Opportunities
In an effort to make Facing Race accessible to as many people as possible, Race Forward provides scholarships. Apply and/or learn more about the scholarships we offer.
The Scholarship Application is open until July 31st, 2018.
We welcome folks who are interested in being part of the Facing Race conference as volunteers. Volunteer application opens on January 3rd, 2018 and will be available until June 30, 2018. Application to become a volunteer can be accessed HERE.
If you have anymore questions, please feel free to contact the Facing Race Team at facingrace@raceforward.org.