In June 2026, the Race Amity Institute (395 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta) will host a two-part program titled “America at 250: A Race Amity Perspective.” These free, public programs will offer a space to reflect together on race, democracy, and civic belonging in an inter-generational setting rooted in history and oriented toward dialogue.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary at a time of deep social division, these programs will invite reflection on the continuous presence of race amity in American life—an enduring tradition of interracial cooperation and shared belonging that has existed alongside the nation’s dominant historical narrative.
Sunday June 14: Race Amity Day observance, 2 to 4 pm Race Amity Day is observed nationwide on the second Sunday in June to celebrate cross-racial friendship and highlight the power of interracial partnerships to foster enduring social change. The observance is not only commemorative but also participatory, continuing a living tradition that has taken different institutional forms but reflects a consistent underlying reality of interracial cooperation within the American experience.
Keynote remarks will be offered by Dr. Robert C. Henderson, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Race Amity and Principal, Henderson Consulting. Both the Atlanta City Council and the Georgia State Assembly have confirmed Race Amity Day proclamations, and local officials will be invited to offer remarks. The program will include live music, refreshments, and a children’s activity. The program is free and open to the public and will be live-streamed.
Friday June 19: Riders 4 Race Amity Presentation and Roundtable, 7 to 9 pm The Riders for Race Amity are an interracial group of teens undertaking an annual, two-week, cross-country cycling journey to raise awareness of the power and importance of cross-racial friendships. This year, their journey follows the route of the Freedom Riders from Washington, DC to Jackson, MS, situating the ride within a longer Freedom Ride tradition of interracial travel through public space as moral witness and public demonstration of shared belonging. The Riders will be in Atlanta on June 19 and 20.
Join us at 7:00 pm Friday evening, June 19, for a presentation by the Riders 4 Race Amity youth, after which participants will be offered two options to engage: 1) Participate in a Race Amity Roundtable, a dialogue circle using principles of restorative justice to explore barriers to cross-racial friendship, or 2) Help decorate bikes and vehicles for Atlanta’s Juneteenth parade the following morning, Saturday, June 20. On Saturday, June 20, everyone is invited to join the Riders in marching for Race Amity in Atlanta’s annual Juneteenth parade (https://www.juneteenthatl.com/), starting at 10 am at the MLK National Historical Park and proceeding to Piedmont Park.
All events are free and open to the public.