Genesee County, MI — Genesee County took an important step forward on Tuesday with a community gathering at the Genesee County Administration Building to recognize the National Day of Racial Healing (NDRH).

NDRH was launched in 2017 by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as a signature public-facing component of its Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) initiative, an approach developed in 2016 through a national design process to pair relationship-building and narrative change with systemic transformation, and to confront the historic and ongoing impacts of racism.

“A Beloved Community, (as Dr. King taught), is one in which there is no hierarchy of human value,” said Elizabeth Jordan, Chair of the Genesee County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission and one of the event’s organizers. “Today’s National Day of Racial Healing event reflects that a Beloved Community is for everyone — and creating that requires us all.” 

The Genesee County event was incredibly well attended and warmly received, bringing residents, community leaders, educators, organizations, and businesses together in one shared space for connection, reflection, and progress. More than a successful turnout, it represented a milestone: The first National Day of Racial Healing event of its kind held in Genesee County.

“I’m deeply appreciative of the response and turn out of Genesee County residents and stakeholders,” said Lynn Williams, Director of Equity and Engagement for the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. “It has given me a great deal of inspiration and hope to see so many willing to engage in fellowship to identify our shared threads of humanity in order to create the Beloved Community.”

Participants experienced a thoughtful mix of artistic performances, mindfulness activities, group reflections, and meaningful dialogue. The event was held in the Community Room at the new Genesee County Administration Building. The space was created with community-focused events like this one in mind.

“This event is proof positive that we have many people in our community who are willing to lean into difficult conversations with honesty and respect,” said Commissioner Dr. Beverly Brown. “It’s imperative that we engage in dialogue that builds understanding and recognizes our shared humanity. This is the path we must choose as a community, and this event is an important step on that path.”

Brittni Ward, Emmy-winning spoken word artist and published author (and UM-Flint graduate), wrote a moving poem live throughout the event that captured the feeling, themes, and ambience of the day. Her artwork was also on display.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this event, including the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, The Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Fund, The Genesee County Board of Commissioners, and the Genesee County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission. Specifically, thank you to Lynn Williams, Elizabeth Jordan and Jerome Threlkeld, Organizational Development Coordinator for Genesee County, for their work organizing the event.

Also, a special thanks to the Flint Cultural Center Percussion class, under the direction of Jessica McCormack, who performed beautifully at the event.

Click here for more information about the NDRH.

Check out photos from the event: