Facing Race: A National Conference in St. Louis, MO — November 20-22, 2024

Julia Roig

Founder and Chief Network Weaver | Horizons Project
Julia has more than 30 years of experience working for democratic change and conflict transformation around the world. She is best known for her ability to convene diverse coalitions and her facilitative leadership of global networks, with a special passion for narratives and creative partnerships. An organizer at heart, in her role as Chief Network Weaver, Julia is committed to bridge-building across sectors, disciplines, and cultures. Throughout her career she has been called upon to translate between theory and practice, while seeding new approaches, organizing principles, and mindset shifts for social change.

Presentations from Facing Race 2024

Advancing Racial Justice with Futures Thinking Frameworks and Tools

The Race and Democracy work at the Horizons Project seeks to employ futures thinking frameworks to advance racial justice. Futures thinking frameworks and analytical tools have proven valuable in helping leaders, organizations, policymakers, and activists make more strategic decisions about policies, priorities, strategic plans, outcomes, and goals. However, we have not seen these tools equally applied to the challenge of organizing to build collective power for advancing racial justice.

The Horizons Project applies futures thinkings frameworks and analytical tools for the specific purpose of advancing racial justice. In addition, our futures thinking frameworks specifically engage the narrative competencies required to advance racial justice. For example, how should leaders engage in conversations that have deep resonances in demonstrative realities of racial injustice? Conversely, how should organizers and activists push against racial stereotypes embedded within organizational decision-making? What skills are needed to re-shape racial narratives?

What practices should leaders adopt to transform their institutional culture and prioritize racial justice within their organizations? How might these leaders imagine racial justice within their organizations and spheres of influence? How might organizers and activists advance institution’s capacity to reshape public services for better racial equity outcomes?

Speakers: Jarvis Williams, Julia Roig