Racial Justice Summit
About the Summit ↘
YWCA Madison’s Racial Justice Summit is among the largest multiracial, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary community gatherings in the United States annually. You are invited to be a part of this growing community of people committed to racial justice (un)learning, collective healing, and liberation!
SAVE THE DATES for the 2025 Summit: SEPTEMBER 24 — 26, 2025
We will be opening the 2025 Summit with the wisdom of Robin Wall Kimmerer, beloved scientist, storyteller, and author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.
Click here to sign up for our newsletter to receive updates and announcements for the 2025 Summit.
2024 Summit Recap ↘
In 2024, the Racial Justice Summit took place virtually on September 25-26 and in-person at Monona Terrace on September 27.
The theme for the 2024 Racial Justice Summit was Reflect, Connect, and Create New Worlds which built on YWCA Madison’s values of Humanity, Community, Growth, and Restoration. The theme was also inspired by the guiding metaphor of a kaleidoscope for how we as whole and interconnected beings practice building sustainable movements for justice and our collective liberation.
New Worlds by Melana Bass
Commissioned reflection on the theme entitled New Worlds
by Featured Summit Artist, Melana Bass
The Summit featured national authors, activists, and movement builders at the leading edge of racial justice such as Ijeoma Oluo, Prentis Hemphill, Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Ruth King, Kazu Haga, Autumn Brown, and David Dean who offered inspiring insights, stories, and wisdom through virtual keynotes and robust in-person institutes.
From Left to Right: Ijeoma Oluo, Prentis Hemphill, Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Ruth King, Kazu Haga, Autumn Brown, and David Dean
We also had the opportunity to learn from and with local and regional practitioners who contributed to Keynote Experiences such as Vera Naputi, Justin Russell, Kamewanukiw Rabideaux, Stephanie Salgado Altamirano, Alice Traore, Sarah Noble, Ali Kahn, Lola Loustaunau, kristy kumar, and Maliha Nu’man.
Left to right starting at top left: Vera Naputi, Justin Russell, Kamewanukiw Rabideaux, Stephanie Salgado Altamirano, Alice Traore
Second row from left to right: Sarah Noble, Ali Kahn, Lola Loustaunau, kristy kumar, and Maliha Nu’man
The Summit includes opportunities to experience curated sessions that engage participants in community dialogue, practice, and action-envisioning co-created by local practitioners. It also always features creative works from musicians, spoken word artists, and visual artists to highlight the resilience, joy, and love birthed from within our movements. The 2024 Summit featured performances from: Chakari Daezhare, Kaymantakuna, and DJ FNÜ.
From left to right: Chakari Daezhare, Kaymantakuna, and DJ FNÜ
Recordings of Virtual
Keynote Experiences ↘
If you were registrant with access to the Virtual Days of the 2024 Racial Justice Summit, please click the button below to access the virtual recordings. (You will need to enter the password you received via email from racialjustice@ywcamadison.org)
Thank You to Our 2024 Racial Justice Summit Sponsors ↘
On behalf of the women and families we serve, we salute our sponsors and partners with heartfelt thanks. Our incredible sponsors provide critical financial support for YWCA programs and initiatives.
Sponsoring the Racial Justice Summit is a wonderful way to support our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
To learn more about sponsorship of the 2025 YWCA Madison Racial Justice Summit or please reach out to Taylor Raether at traether@ywcamadison.org.
