The power of art in racial healing

Art has always been a powerful force for change and healing. For centuries, communities across cultures have turned to creative expression as a form of “medicine” that encourages personal reflection, wisdom-sharing, history-sharing, truth-telling and bridge-building. From protest songs to documentary photography exposing injustice, art has fueled nearly every major justice movement in the U.S., helping to drive resistance to inequity and oppression while moving people closer to healing.

This enduring power is why the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) is spotlighting the power of arts and creative expression for the National Day of Racial Healing. Here are ways you can join in:

• Explore our new arts and media action kit: WKKF created a new action kit to help communities plan an arts-focused racial healing event. It includes examples of previous arts events to inspire ideas and activities for your event.
• Watch a special episode of “The Jennifer Hudson Show:” The special hour of The Jennifer Hudson Show is dedicated to helping people of all identities and backgrounds come together, reflect and begin or continue their journey of healing from the effects of racism. The episode will feature special celebrity guests, meaningful conversations and the spreading of happiness and joy. For information on when to tune in, check your local listings or visit www.jenniferhudsonshow.com.
• Check out two new must-reads for 2025: Jan. 14 will mark the release of two new books about racial healing. In “How We Heal: A Journey Toward Truth, Racial Healing, and Community Transformation from the Inside Out,” WKKF President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron outlines the path to racial healing and why it is key to achieving racial equity. This book illustrates show people from a variety of backgrounds how they can begin to engage with the transformative experience of racial healing and take the first — or the next — step on this journey.“Our Differences Make Us Stronger” is a children’s book about sharing our identities and making new friends. The book helps children understand the importance of learning from our differences, rather than ignoring them. Reflecting the transformative racial healing practices that WKKF promotes around the world, the book shows young readers that sharing our stories and listening to the stories of others are the first steps to building a stronger community.Preorder “How We Heal” and “Our Differences Make Us Stronger” today.

Communities nationwide also are joining in celebrating the healing power of art through their National Day of Racial Healing events:

• Cambridge, Mass.: Jean Appolon Expressions will host a Haitian Folkloric dance class with live drumming. The healing event is dedicated to Haiti and its people, taking place 15 years after the devastating earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince. Attendees will come together in dance, music and community to celebrate this beautiful nation. There is an option to join virtually.
• Detroit, Mich.: At the Little Detroit Community Garden, artists will join together to watch a video about racial healing, paint their reflections and share books to help them begin or continue their racial healing journeys.
• New Orleans, La.: Amplify Justice will explore a renewed sense of care and reflection in their workshop: Radical Love, Joy and Healing. This nostalgic journey will feature activities such as music, creative writing, sound memory and movement.

Join us in lifting the healing power of art for this year’s National Day of Racial Healing on Jan. 21! Submit your event and we’ll help spread the word on the National Day of Racial Healing map.