National Day of Racial Healing

The National Day of Racial Healing is an annual observance that brings people together to acknowledge our common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world. Racial healing is a process that restores individuals and communities to wholeness, repairs damage caused by racism, and transforms societal structures into ones that affirm the inherent value of all people.

Quick Facts

When is it?: The Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tagged as: Day of unity and collective action
What’s the hashtag?: #HowWeHeal
When was it founded?: 2017
Who founded it?: W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of their Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation initiative

History of National Day of Racial Healing

The National Day of Racial Healing emerged from a 2016 summit involving more than 500 community partners from across the nation. It was created as a response to contentious rhetoric and high-profile hate crimes dividing the country. The first observance took place on January 17, 2017, with independent events at the local level hosted by TRHT communities, grantee partners, and racial equity leaders.

From 2018 onward, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has hosted annual national signature events, featuring livestream programs that help create a shared national experience and amplify the message of racial healing. In 2020, the event was livestreamed from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., demonstrating how arts, culture, education, and life experiences can foster racial healing.

Timeline

2016: Concept emerged during a summit with over 500 community partners
2017: First National Day of Racial Healing observed on January 17
2018: WKKF began hosting annual national signature events
2020: Event livestreamed from Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
2023: Seventh annual observance held on January 17

Dates by Next Year (2025 to 2030)

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	January 21	Tuesday
2026	January 20	Tuesday
2027	January 19	Tuesday
2028	January 18	Tuesday
2029	January 16	Tuesday
2030	January 22	Tuesday

How National Day of Racial Healing is Observed

Communities across the country observe this day in unique and meaningful ways. Activities happen in homes, schools, businesses, and communities nationwide with the goal of creating a more just and equitable future. Many universities lead the charge through Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation campus centers.

In 2025, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in partnership with Augsburg Fortress, will host a free online educational event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time that centers the voices of ELCA leaders of color. Other organizations like the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) call upon their memberships to observe the day with reflection and action.

Fun Facts About National Day of Racial Healing

The day is designed not only to raise awareness but to inspire concrete actions. Many communities create murals, host racial healing circles, and organize community dinners to foster dialogue. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation provides digital toolkits with resources and programming ideas for organizations wanting to participate.

Quiz

When is the National Day of Racial Healing observed?
Who founded the National Day of Racial Healing?
What year was the first National Day of Racial Healing?
What is the hashtag associated with the day?

(Answers: 1. Tuesday after MLK Day, 2. W.K. Kellogg Foundation, 3. 2017, 4. #HowWeHeal)

FAQs

What is racial healing?
Racial healing is a process that restores individuals and communities to wholeness, repairs the damage caused by racism, and transforms societal structures into ones that affirm the inherent value of all people.

How can I participate in the National Day of Racial Healing?
You can participate by attending local events, hosting conversations in your community, engaging with educational resources, joining racial healing circles, or creating art that promotes healing and unity.

Why is this day observed after Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Placing it after MLK Day creates a natural continuation of reflection and action on racial justice issues, building on Dr. King’s legacy of working toward equality and justice.

Importance of National Day of Racial Healing

The National Day of Racial Healing provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, and organizations to join together in acknowledging shared values, building trust, developing authentic relationships, and inspiring collective action. It recognizes that before systems and structures can be transformed, people must first engage in the process of healing.

This day is particularly significant because it emphasizes that racial healing is at the core of racial equity. It’s the “people work” that creates the collective will to transform communities, organizations, and systems. By bringing people together across divides created by real and perceived differences, the day helps facilitate trust and build authentic relationships necessary for lasting change.