Convince your Employer:
Dear
I am writing to request support to attend Facing Race 2026, the largest multiracial, intergenerational conference for racial justice advocates in the United States. Facing Race is presented by Race Forward, an organization with nearly 40 years of advancing racial justice through research, media, and practice.
Facing Race 2026 will take place Thursday, November 12, through Saturday, November 14, 2026, in Raleigh, North Carolina. This national conference convenes only once every two years, making it a unique and timely opportunity for our organization to deepen our learning, strengthen our impact, and connect with leaders across sectors who are advancing racial equity in meaningful, measurable ways.
Who attends Facing Race?
Facing Race brings together thousands of people who share a commitment to racial equity and justice. Attendees include organizers, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, public sector practitioners, educators, artists, researchers, students, and professionals working across nonprofit, government, and private sectors. Organizations of all sizes are represented, creating a rare cross-sector learning and networking environment.
What happens at Facing Race?
Over three days, participants engage in workshops, plenaries, and learning experiences grounded in practice and real-world impact. In alignment with the 2026 theme, Rooted in Resistance, Powered by Solidarity, conference content is organized across four tracks:
- Organizing to Build Power
Sessions led by organizers and grassroots leaders highlighting strategies, tools, campaigns, and coalitions that build durable organizing infrastructure and advance racial justice through cross-racial solidarity. - Transforming Institutions to Shift Power
Sessions focused on how social justice organizations, philanthropy, and government agencies are systematically changing policies, practices, and culture to operationalize racial equity—while navigating political, legal, and organizational constraints. - Building Narrative Power
Sessions that explore cultural and narrative strategies to disrupt racist myths, shift public understanding, influence policy and behavior, and offer compelling visions for a racially just, multiracial democracy. - Building Co-governance Power
Sessions that elevate shared-power models between communities and institutions, highlighting tools, place-based examples, and cross-sector collaboration that strengthen democratic infrastructure and collective decision-making.
In addition to skill-building and learning, the conference offers invaluable opportunities to build relationships with peers and partners that can strengthen and support our organization’s work long after the conference concludes.
Sustainer Ticket
- Early Bird (10% off): $720
- Regular Rate: $800
- Late Bird (20% increase): $1,000
Connector Ticket
- Early Bird (10% off): $540
- Regular Rate: $600
Early Bird pricing is available February 16–March 16, 2026. Group discounts (10% off) are available for organizations registering three or more attendees.
Registration includes full access to conference programming and materials. Discounted hotel room blocks will be made available closer to the event.
Because conference registrations can be transferred within an organization, registering early poses minimal risk while ensuring access to discounted rates.
Discounted room rates will be available.
Hotel #1 For standard single and double rooms. | $169.00 per night + 13.25% tax |
Hotel #2 For standard single and double rooms. | $204.00 + 13.25% tax |
Hotel #3 For standard single and double rooms. | $226.00 + 13.25% tax |
Hotel #4 For standard single and double rooms. | $219.00 + 13.25% tax |
Note: For security reasons, the Facing Race Planning Team does not publicly share hotel information. The details above reflect estimated options currently available. Once registration is confirmed, attendees will receive access to the hotel reservation links in their confirmation email.
Estimated costs
Below is an estimated budget for my attendance:
Airfare: ____________
Ground transportation: ____________
Hotel: ____________
Meals: ____________
Conference registration: ____________
Total expense: ____________
Testimonials
Feedback from past Facing Race attendees highlights the conference’s practical value, transformative learning environment, and long-term impact on organizational strategy and effectiveness. Testimonials can be found at: https://facingrace.raceforward.org/testimonials.
Thank you for considering this request. I believe attending Facing Race 2026 will directly benefit our organization’s goals and strengthen our capacity to advance racial equity in our work.