We are looking forward to our third year recognizing Racial Truth & Reconciliation Week, August 22 – 28, 2022. Each year, we intentionally select RTRW themes to reflect the intersections of current events, history, culture, time, and policy that we find ourselves in. This year is no different as we continue to navigate divisive political landscapes and strive to promote trauma-informed healing, compassion, and justice at the center of our own work. This year, we have also experienced the power and importance of letting young voices influence and inform decisions that will impact them, their families, and their well-being the most.

This year’s themes are:

• Good Trouble: Necessary Trouble to Enact Change
• Voices of Virginia’s Future: Highlighting Young Advocates & Activists
• Organizational Change: Reckoning & Reconciling Our Truth

This year, we are approaching RTRW with a renewed drive to incorporate community voices and stories. As such, we are announcing a call for proposals for each day of these themes.

Presentations must be:

• A minimum of 45 minutes and a max of 90 minutes in length
• Presented virtually, August 23 – 25, 2022
• In line with the Racial Truth & Reconciliation Mission & Goals

If you or your organization are interested in presenting at this year’s Racial Truth & Reconciliation Week, read on to see which theme may be the best fit for you and your content.

Good Trouble – Necessary Trouble to Enact Change
Presenting on Tuesday, August 23, 2022

“Do not become bitter or hostile. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble. We will find a way to make a way out of no way.” – Congressman John Lewis

Proposals for this theme may include (but are not limited to):

• Workshops incorporating advocacy, activism, changemaking, etc.
• Discussions of the varying roles in social change
• Persevering through challenging political landscapes
• Self- and community-care in the face of political and systemic adversities
• Community roundtables/panels on how local leaders and community members are getting into “Good Trouble”
• Storytelling and/or artistry celebrating the spirit of “Good Trouble”

Voices of Virginia’s Future: Highlighting Young Advocates & Activists
Presenting on Wednesday, August 24, 2022

“There’s a moment where you have to choose whether to be silent or stand up.” – Malala Yousafzai

Proposals for this theme may include (but are not limited to):

• Community roundtables/panels comprised of young people
• Workshops about outreach and engagement with young people
• Discussions on how to effectively support and listen to young people
• Presentations on the landscape of youth and young people in advocacy and activism
• Workshops incorporating youth development, mentorship, etc.
• Storytelling and/or artistry celebrating young peoples’ advocacy and activism

Organizational Change: Reckoning & Reconciling Our Truth
Presenting on Thursday, August 25, 2022

“Unless an organization sees that its task is to lead change, that organization will not survive.” – Peter Drucker

Proposals for this theme may include (but are not limited to):

• Workshops incorporating organizational change theory
• Community discussions on themes of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice
• Presentations on organizational change, accountability, growth, etc.
• Facilitated discussions on leading, managing, and embracing organizational change
• Storytelling, truth telling, and/or artistry centering around organizational change and growth

Proposals may be submitted here by Friday, July 15, 2022.
For further questions or support needs, contact Kristin Lennox, kristin@vakids.org.

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