Fairport Central School District

Fairport to host virtual events for National Day of Racial Healing

Posted on in "Community, District Wide"

The Fairport Central School District will join organizations throughout the country in observing the 2021 National Day of Racial Healing, Jan. 19. 

The following three virtual events are open to the community as part of the District participation in the event:

Fairport invites the community to visit the National Day of Racial Healing website, for ways to participate. Fairport will be offering these three events:

  • National Day of Racial Healing LIVE PREMIERE, Tuesday, Jan. 19.
    • 3 – 4:30 p.m.: Click here to watch the event as a community
    • 6 – 7 p.m.: Community Circles (must RSVP as space is limited)
    • Partners in Restorative Initiatives (PiRI) and the Fairport Central School District are partnering to host an evening of community talking circles for The National Day of Racial Healing and everyone is welcome! This collaboration is an opportunity to begin engaging in restorative conversations about what racial healing means for Fairport District students, staff, families and community. By participating in restorative conversations about racial healing we hope to create a foundation that builds trust and facilitates authentic relationships that will help to bridge the divides created by real and perceived differences. The community talking circles will be centered on the National Day of Racial Healing Conversation Guide. We look forward to connecting, learning, growing and healing together.
      • This event will examine how federal and local policies like redlining, racially restrictive covenants in towns like Fairport, and urban renewal segregated Rochester, built wealth for its white citizens and disenfranchised people of color. It explores how local civil rights leaders like Dr. Charles Lunsford, Howard Coles, Dr. Walter Cooper, Connie Mitchell, Dr. Alice Young and many others fought back. Finally, it connects these past policies to the disparity and inequality we see in Rochester today and invites us to learn from and apply the activism of Rochester’s past to its present.
      • Shane Weigand is the co -lead of the PathStone Foundation’s Antiracist Curriculum Project and a fourth grade teacher in Rush Henrietta. He serves on the boards of Connected Communities and City Roots Community Land Trust. He is an adjunct faculty instructor in the URMC Department of Neurology, where he lectures, leads workshops on anti racism and equity. He and his wife live in the Beechwood neighborhood of Rochester.  
      • Click here to register for this event. Registered participants will receive the presentation link on the day of the event.
  • Now What? How to Engage Children in Conversations on Race, Thursday, Jan. 21 
    • 7-8 p.m.: This presentation, facilitated by The Children’s Institute, will focus on social emotional learning practices, and will provide relevant and practical strategies for adults to use to help children navigate conversations on race and racism.
    • Click here to register for this event. Space is limited, so please register if you are interested. Once you register you will receive an email confirmation. Closer to the event, participants will receive a reminder email and the actual presentation link will be sent to participants 2 hours before the start of the session.

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #HowWeHeal and visiting the National Day of Racial Healing Facebook page. In the days leading up to Jan. 19, the District will share information around these events via its social media pages.

According to its website, the National Day of Racial Healing is a time for contemplation and collective action on #HowWeHeal from the effects of racial tension. Launched on Jan. 17, 2017, it is an opportunity to bring all people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world. This annual observance is hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), and was created with and builds on the work and learnings of the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) community partners. Fundamental to this day is a clear understanding that racial healing is at the core of racial equity. This day is observed every year on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.