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.
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.
- There is no fee to apply for a scholarship. However, if your application is accepted, there is a $50 processing fee that must be paid at the time of your acceptance of an awarded scholarship. This nominal processing fee helps Race Forward to provide meals and conference materials to scholarship recipients.
- 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 and pay the $50 processing fee to formally accept the offer.
If paying by check, it must be received within 15 days of submitting this form. Scholarships are limited. We encourage applicants to submit their application as soon as possible.
Applications are open on a rolling basis until funds are no longer available.
For any questions, please reach out to facingrace@raceforward.org
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.