Race Forward Launches Registration for 2018 Facing Race: A National Conference in Detroit

The nation's largest conference for racial justice movement-making will take place November 8-10 at Detroit's Cobo Center 

November 13, 2017 (New York, NY) - Leading multiracial justice organization Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation has officially launched  registration for Facing Race 2018, which will be held at the Cobo Center in Detroit Michigan, from November 8-10. Early Bird Registration will run until February 1st, 2018.

“In the last year our country has borne witness to an onslaught of attacks against communities of color," said Race Forward President Glenn Harris. “As the largest conference for racial justice movement-making, Facing Race Detroit will serve as an essential space for alliance building, issue-framing, and advancing solutions during a critical moment in our nation’s history."

This is Race Forward’s ninth Facing Race conference, and the first to be held at a convention center after the record-breaking turnout in 2016. Last year, over 2,000 people joined Race Forward in Atlanta, GA for the sold-out conference in the days immediately following the presidential election to brainstorm ways to respond to the changing national landscape and leadership.

In addition to inspiring keynote speakers, film screenings, and networking opportunities, Facing Race will present over 80 panels and breakout sessions on a wide array of key issues, with a focus on four key tracks:

• Arts, Media, & Culture
• Organizing and Advocacy
• Inclusive Democracy
• Racial Identities and Innovation

Since Facing Race was created in 2004, Race Forward has held the national conference in cities around the country, working together with local racial justice leaders to lift up regional history and current challenges faced by communities of color.  Previous speakers have included Jose Antonio Vargas, Roxane Gay,  Junot Díaz, Melissa Harris Perry, Van Jones, and W. Kamau Bell. 

“Detroit is home to some of the most visionary organizing in the United States,” said Facing Race Manager Leslie Grant. “We see Facing Race 2018  as an opportunity to uplift authentic narratives about Detroit and Detroiters of the past, present, and future while amplifying local struggles, solutions, and collective leadership to overcome racially disparate outcomes.”

In reflection of Race Forward's commitment to supporting locally-owned businesses and advancing local leadership of Detroit communities Facing Race will work with local organizers to ensure that the 2018 conference adheres to the principles of Community Benefits Agreements. With this Agreement, Race Forward aims to center the leadership, skills, and entrepreneurship of communities of color and other historically disadvantaged communities in Detroit.

Highlights from previous conferences can be found via reporting from Colorlines, an award-winning investigative news site published by Race Forward. Videos of past Facing Race keynote and plenary presentations can be found here and here. For the latest updates on Facing Race 2018, follow on Facebook and Twitter with #FacingRace. 

To register, submit applications for breakout sessions, and find more information, visit: https://facingrace.raceforward.org/.

Press are encouraged to attend, with variety of resources offered, including interviews with keynote and plenary speakers. Press can apply for a media credential here. All media inquiries should be directed to [email protected].

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Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovationunited with Center for Social Inclusion in 2017 to become the new Race Forward.

Founded in 1981, Race Forward brings systemic analysis and an innovative approach to complex race issues to help people take effective action toward racial equity. Founded in 2002, CSI catalyzes community, government, and other institutions to dismantle structural racial inequity and create equitable outcomes for all.

The new Race Forward is home to the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. Race Forward publishes the daily news site Colorlines and presents Facing Race, the country’s largest multiracial conference on racial justice.