Facing Race is the nation’s largest multiracial, intergenerational racial justice conference. This biennially, one-of-a-kind space serves as a vital intersection where community organizers, activists, and movement makers converge to build power and strategies to advance racial justice. The conference provides attendees unprecedented access to resources, information, and collaborative opportunities geared towards advancing racial equity for all.
Over its 15-year legacy, Race Forward has consistently delivered this transformative experience, highlighting places like North Carolina, Detroit, Atlanta, Dallas, Baltimore, Berkeley, and New York. The 2024 chapter of Facing Race is gearing up to be an unforgettable and cup-filling event.
We are gathering over 4,000 attendees at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Missouri, from Wednesday, November 20th through Friday, November 22nd, 2024. While the 2022 event was in-person and online, the 2024 edition returns to our original in-person experience. We recognize the unparalleled value of personal interactions and are committed to facilitating a safe and accessible in-person event. This approach not only fosters deeper connections among attendees but also allows us to immerse our audience in our host city's vibrant culture and history.
Our choice of location is intentional: St. Louis, which stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and community spirit. By gathering in Missouri, we aim to amplify these themes, grounding our discussions in the fabric of a city that encapsulates much of what we advocate for at Facing Race.
Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2024 Facing Race Art Gallery!
Call for Art
Facing Race is curating an Art Gallery for the 2024 Facing Race Conference. We are looking to feature pieces of art that uplift local BIPOC artists that reflect the history and culture of the St Louis region in their artwork.
About Facing Race
At Race Forward, we believe a just, multiracial, democratic society is possible, yet it requires that racial justice be a fundamental principle of that society. We must join together in building collective power and strategy to root out systemic racism.
Facing Race merges our narrative, sectoral, and community work actively counteracting oppressive systems into a single space, to collectively strategize and build toward the racially just world that we all deserve. It is the largest intergenerational gathering for organizers, educators, creatives, and other leaders in the movement for racial justice. Over nearly two decades, this national conference has featured more than one hundred workshops, engaging presenters, and keynote speakers that highlight campaigns, projects, and research that promote systemic solutions to racial equity challenges. This year’s event will take place in St Louis, Missouri on November 20th - 22nd, 2024.
Gallery Details
- Art will be featured at the Facing Race Conference from November 20th - 22nd.
- Art must be delivered and installed by the artist.
- We will direct you to your designated area.
- Art must be delivered on November 19th, 2024 between 9 am - 4 pm CST
- Art must be picked up by the artist
- No packaging materials will be provided or held by the Facing Race team. It is the artist's responsibility to bring whatever materials they need to transport and install their art.
- Art must be picked up by November 22nd, 2024 between 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM CST.
- Artists will be provided with a basic easel and or stand to present their artwork. If your artwork is large scale and requires a special easel or stand for presentation please bring that with you or specify in the application.
- Artwork will live in the Vendor Exhibition Hall of our conference which will be in Hall 5 of the St Louis Convention Center.
- Artwork may also live throughout our reserved areas throughout the St Louis Convention Center.
- Art can be canvas, sculpture and other mediums as long as they are free standing and/or capable of living on an easel or stand.
Qualifications
- Open to BIPOC artists of St. Louis and neighboring regions.
- Art may be an already existing piece and/or a piece made for this event.
- If your piece will be created for this event please disclose as much information as possible in addition to a sketch/mockup of your idea in the application.
- Your piece must be completed by October 18th in order to be a part of the gallery and receive the honorarium.
- Art needs to be ready to install on November 19th, 2024.
Compensation
- Artists will be provided with a honorarium for sharing their artwork at the Facing Race Conference.
Submission Guidelines
- Artist Bio
- Artist Statement: briefly describe your artistic process, influence and intention behind the piece of work you are submitting.
- Art Concept:
- If you already have an existing piece you’d like to submit please upload photos.
- If you would like to create a piece for this event please submit sketches, renderings, or other visual representations of your proposed piece. Please be as detailed as possible.
If you have any questions please contact Facingrace@raceforward.org and cc scastro@raceforward.org with the subject line "FR24 Art Gallery”.
Interested in a Scholarship to Attend The Facing Race Conference?!
Here’s How It Works
- Scholarships are awarded based on need and individual and/or organizational commitment to racial justice.
- Please note: if a scholarship is awarded, confirmation to attend and application processing fee must be made within two weeks of being awarded the scholarship. If we do not receive these within 2 weeks, we will offer the scholarship to applicants on the waiting list. Failure to adhere to the guidelines will impact your eligibility to qualify for future Facing Race National Conference scholarships.
- Resources are limited, so we recommend applying as soon as possible. You will receive a confirmation once your request is received and scholarship decisions will be made on a rolling basis. Because we have limited funding, we cannot guarantee that all requests can be granted.
- If you are part of a nonprofit organization, we encourage you to contact one of your funders to see if they provide support for grantees to attend conferences like this one. For some grassroots fundraising tips, visit Grassroots Fundraising Journal
- Scholarship recipients are required to do the following upon acceptance of a full or partial conference registration scholarship:
- Write a brief thank you note at the Conference to the donor(s). Sharing a reflection on how attending the conference with impact your work in your community, organization or school.
- Assist Race Forward with promoting the conference through social media and other outlets.
- Facing Race will take place November 20th-22nd 2024.
What’s Covered?
We offer partial and full registration scholarships. Due to limited resources and in the interest of providing financial assistance to as many people as possible, we cannot cover any travel or lodging costs at this time.
Eligibility:
- Demonstrated commitment to Racial Justice and Equity.
- Low-income people, people of color, immigrants, limited mobilities (physical or otherwise), trans-identified and people with diverse gender identities, and young adults are encouraged to apply.
Application and Confirmation
The Facing Race Team will confirm your participation as a scholar via email. Once you receive confirmation from the Facing Race Team, scholars must register on Cvent. Instructions will be shared by the planning team.
Applications are open on a rolling basis until funds are no longer available.
For any questions, please reach out to facingrace@raceforward.org
We are excited to invite vendors to submit their applications to participate in the Facing Race conference, taking place in St. Louis, MO, from November 20th to 22nd, 2024.
As always, our commitment remains centered on businesses and organizations led by people of color. This year, we are reaffirming our dedication by partnering specifically with vendors whose entities are owned, operated, or serve Black, Indigenous, people of color, and individuals who are trans-identified and/or non-binary.
This year the Facing Race Vendor/Exhibition Hall will be curated in partnership with St. Louis nonprofit Frizzy By Nature. This local business hosts Frizz Fest, a natural beauty festival aimed to encourage self-love and inspire confidence among women.
Join us in fostering an inclusive and empowering space at Facing Race. We look forward to receiving your applications!
Offerings:
Booths: $1550
- Three (3) tables - 30x30 area
Single Table: $550
- One (1) table - 10 x10 area
Half Table: $250 (Limited availability. First come, first served.)
- Half (½) of a table, is to be shared with another vendor.
Bag Insert: $300 - Share your work with all Conference attendees!
- Grassroot/Artist Rate: $200
Includes:
- Two (2) Conference registrations for the three-day event
- Grants the vendor and one (1) additional support person access to the Facing Race Vendor/Exhibition Hall.
- Table(s) included based in table choice
- Two (2) chairs per table
- Technical support for setup and troubleshooting support throughout the Conference
- Additional conference registration at a 15% discount (optional)
Timeline:
- Set-up Day: Tuesday, November 19th from 9am to 12pm
- Optional Vendor Day: Wednesday, November 20th from 12pm to 4pm
- Vendor Day: Thursday, November 21st from 8am to 6pm
- Vendor Day: Friday, November 22nd from 8am to 4pm (with option to vend until 6pm)
Requirements:
- Bring additional helpers for assistance
- Supply a substantial amount of products/material
- One business per Vendor Booth (unless purchasing a half table)
- Product pricing must be on display at vendor booth
- Credit/Debit Card payment must be accepted
Please Note:
- Vendor Fee will not be refunded for any cancellations or no shows.
- Facing Race will take place rain or shine, no refunds will be issued due to weather.
- Facing Race, Frizzy By Nature, LLC and/or any member of the organizations staff are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.
RESERVATION DEADLINE:
The reservation deadline is October 1, 2024.
A Facing Race team member will contact you in August with confirmation on participation and full details for payment and additional event details.
CONTACT:
exhibitions@raceforward.org
Use Subject: Facing Race 2024 VENDORS
Vendors who are selected will be contacted directly by the Exhibits Team.
If you are interested in conference bag inserts, please email the Facing Race team at Facingrace@raceforward.org with the subject line: “FR24 Bag Insert”.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us!
Race Forward is currently seeking volunteers for Facing Race, the largest multiracial, intergenerational gathering for organizers, educators, creatives, and other leaders.
The Facing Race Conference 2024 will be hosted IN PERSON in St. Louis, Missouri, November 20-22, 2024.
Volunteers are needed for the following:
- Pre-conference preparation: Bag stuffing, assisting with transporting materials and equipment at the convention center, phone calls, registration outreach – especially at universities and community organizations.
- Registration/Information: Event greeters, assisting with general registration and materials distribution to participants and sponsors/exhibitors, staffing information desk, assisting with press registration table.
- Special events support: Assisting with talent and audience control, greeters, ushers, stage handlers.
- Workshop support: Workshop monitors (help set up, attend sessions, explain and collect evaluations, assist presenters as needed), interpreting for conference participants or presenters.
- Multi-media support: Assisting with video-taping/tape recording of sessions and interviews as assigned, stage assistance (please note: individuals for multi-media volunteer positions must have prior experience).
- Overall conference support: Supporting staff show office, runners between various areas (including the exhibit hall, registration area and workshop rooms), tracking equipment, copying, PPE Distribution, Mask Checkers, Contact Tracing, etc.
- Fundraising support: Assisting with setup for fundraising asks (envelope distribution, table tents, etc.) and collecting donation envelopes as assigned.
Volunteers Benefits:
- Participate in one of the largest conferences dedicated to racial justice in the world
- Form networks with individuals from across the U.S. interested in racial justice
- Meet and work with the Race Forward staff and Board
- Receive a letter of confirmation for your participation
Volunteer Requirements and Commitment:
- Must be 18 or over and can provide Race Forward with volunteer services from November 20th, 2024, to Saturday, November 22nd, 2024, in exchange for admission to the Conference and special events. You must be on time and have worked the agreed-upon hours to receive your discount.
- Once accepted, volunteers must register on Cvent and pay a $50.00 processing fee. A Facing Race registration is valued at over $650 per person. While this registration fee is waived for volunteers, volunteers are asked to pay a $50.00 processing fee. This nominal processing fee helps Race Forward provide meals and conference materials to volunteers.
- Volunteers must complete at least one full conference day of service (12 hours, which can be divided throughout the preparation days and conference days) to avail of the free conference registration (valued at $650), not including the $50.00 processing fee.
Volunteers are required to attend an orientation session prior to the event. Date and time are to be determined. An orientation is also required prior to the start of the conference.
Applications are now open, and we're selecting volunteers on a rolling basis.