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

Megan Black Johnson

Common Good Program Director | Western States Center
Pronouns: She/her
Megan Black Johnson is a Midwest-based trainer, facilitator, and organizer committed to race equity, inclusive democracy, and the common good. Since 2010 Megan has worked with organizations like Interfaith Youth Core, Faith in Action, and currently Western States Center to navigate the spaces and tensions created by divisions in race, religion, and politics, with a particular focus on antisemitism, anti-Black racism, and Christian hegemony. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Divinity Degree from Vanderbilt University. Megan, her husband Keith, and infant daughter Winnie live in Kansas City, MO.

LinkedIn: Profile

Presentations from Facing Race 2024

Antisemitism: Whose Fight Is It? Why Antisemitism Is a Threat to Racial Justice & What To Do About It

Antisemitism has become an increasingly prevalent force in American society, where it is regularly weaponized to further social division, isolation, intolerance, and hatred and frequently succeeds at undermining progressive movements for equality. Generally perceived as a "Jewish problem," many Americans fail to take antisemitism seriously as a threat to both American democracy and racial justice efforts.

This hands-on, interactive workshop—facilitated by two veteran racial justice organizers—will guide participants through an exploration of what’s missing from our public discourse on antisemitism, anti-racism, and inclusive democracy, what’s changed in the organizing landscape since the start of the Israel-Gaza war, and what the moment now requires of us.

Participants will be given tools to help identify when antisemitism is being weaponized against progressive movements. We will also workshop strategies for sustaining multiracial, multifaith coalitions and for more effective justice-oriented advocacy and organizing in the face of targeted attacks. This session is intentionally designed to help participants—both Jewish and non-Jewish—thoughtfully navigate these very challenging waters.

Speakers: Megan Black Johnson, Evan Milligan