The Wayne State campus and surrounding communities are invited to celebrate our common humanity and engage in an ongoing discussion about creating a more just and equitable world as part of the National Day of Racial Healing on Jan. 22.

Wayne State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement and Wayne Law’s Detroit Equity Action Lab will host a series of events on campus following the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute hosted by the Division of Government and Community Affairs.

All National Day of Racial Healing events, which are free and open to the public, will be held in the Ballroom in the Student Center Building, located at 5221 Gullen Mall on WSU’s main campus. RSVP online and be sure to follow the dialogue on social media with #howweheal.

The day’s events include:

• Welcome and fishbowl discussion from 2 to 3:45 p.m.  Participants are invited to experience a discussion among a group of Wayne State staff and faculty as they explore the impact of racism in their lives.

• Twitter town hall and community showcase from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Participants are invited to network and learn more about community resources. Those who cannot attend the events in person are invited to engage on Twitter by using #howwehealdetroit.

• Community dialogue and dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Both the community dialogue and dinner will focus on a conversation about the impact of racism on individuals and how to take intentional action toward healing. Dinner will be provided at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dialogue.

“Diversity and inclusion are among Wayne State’s core guiding values,” said Marquita Chamblee, associate provost for diversity and inclusion and Wayne State’s chief diversity officer. “It’s important to be able to proactively engage in thoughtful, honest conversation about the wounds created by racism and what healing might look like on our campus and in the community.”

Held annually in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the National Day of Racial Healing focuses on encouraging a community-based process of transformative, sustainable change while addressing historic and contemporary effects of racism. The event — now in its third year — is part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation effort that unites thousands of people across the country through local events and discussions.

“Now more than ever, people need a space to engage in open, thoughtful conversations and to share their thoughts and feelings,” Chamblee said. “Having opportunities such as the National Day of Racial Healing to speak —  and to listen — brings us closer together and moves us closer to creating the beloved community Dr. King envisioned.”

To learn more about the National Day of Racial Healing at Wayne State, contact Leonard Savala at 313-577-2311 or fz7786@wayne.edu.