The “Catalyzing Change: Frameworks for Repairing Histories of Racial Inequity” convening took place Jan. 9-11, 2024 to discuss Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation™ (TRHT), an initiative implemented in partnership with the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). TRHT is based on the belief that telling the truth about the past is critical to restoring dignity to both those who were harmed and the perpetrator of the harm. Both Sewanee and the duPont Fund have begun the journey of acknowledging the history and legacy of their respective founders, some of whom were enslavers and segregationists, respectively. Their efforts embrace the totality of their institutions’ past—not for purposes of shame but as a part of the journey that shaped their existence today. Sewanee and the duPont Fund called on the field to take on challenging conversations and partner in the work. Read full article here.
As part of the convening the "Catalyzing Change: Frameworks for Repairing Histories of Racial Inequity" event saw more than 100 attendees from across the country—many of whom hailed from prestigious higher education and philanthropic institutions, activist organizations, and faith-based communities—who gathered to build community, explore trust-building and truth-telling strategies, assess challenges in the work, and learn more about approaches to catalyzing conversation. Over the course of the convening, attendees engaged in intimate discussions covering topics from repair work and narrative change to philanthropic legacies and the strategies to undo the perpetuation of racial inequity.
Among the institutions and organizations represented:
