Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Initiative at Emory


Healing in Humanity: Forward Motion for One Emory

Our Mission

The mission of the Truth, Racial Health, and Transformation Initiative at Emory is to create spaces and places to preserve authentic voices for teaching generations of leaders who apply knowledge from all communities in the service of humanity.

As Emory continues to actively engage in examining its own racial history, expanding the historical narrative of all voices, and envisioning a future where “out of many, there is one Emory,” the Emory and greater Atlanta communities are invited to participate in the implementation process of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Initiative.

Beginning fall 2023, Emory University will serve as host and join a national effort with the American Association of Colleges and Universities and seventy-one other higher education institutions to prepare the next generation of leaders in dismantling institutional and systemic racism through a shared humanity perspective.

What Is Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT)?

With funding from W. K. Kellogg Foundation in 2016, more than 200 leaders, scholars, and organizations created the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) framework. The ultimate goal was to uproot the conscious and unconscious belief in the false hierarchy of human value. The TRHT framework is an approach to racial equity work that connects healing to address the historic and contemporary effects of racism to establish a foundational belief of equal value for all human beings to transform systems, laws, policies, and practices within our society.

The TRHT Framework is grounded in five foundational pillars:

  • Narrative Change
  • Racial Healing and Relationship Building
  • Separation
  • Law
  • Economy

The pillars provide a foundation for participants to engage in authentic, emotionally intelligent dialogue through an interactive process.

9th Annual National Day of Racial Healing

The National Day of Racial Healing began in 2017 under the W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation efforts. It is a day to contemplate our shared human experiences and values and design a process on #howweheal. 

Cultivate A Healing Mindset: Bridging Divides and Building Communities

Join the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation™ (TRHT) Initiative at Emory for the ninth Annual National Day of Racial Healing. All are welcome to join in a list of activities during the week to elevate Emory’s mission of “Service to Humanity” by bridging divides and building communities. Registration required.

Register Here for Our Events

postcard showing information about events activities, also detailed in text
Bridging Divides and Building Communities Lunch and Learn Panel

Tuesday, January 21, 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Jones Room/Hybrid, Woodruff Library

Lunch and discussion among a panel of community experts working on and designing programs that bridge divisions and build communities of unity: Trey Carlisle, Music in Common; Ariel Fristoe, Out of Hand Theater; Gael Nzeylmana, The Carter Center; and Todd Mack, Music in Common. Moderated by Sharon Stroye, director of Emory's Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Initiative.

Virtual Racial Healing Circle of Building Community

Wednesday, Janaury 22, 1:00–2:30 p.m., Online

All are welcome. Zoom registration link.

postcard with date and time info for equitable dinner, which is also listed in description of event
Racial Healing Circle

Wednesday, January 22, 4:30–6:30 p.m., 360 Rita Anne Rollins Building, Candler School of Theology

Join the Emory Black Employee and Emory Latinx Employee Resource Networks as co-sponsors of an interactive experience to learn, discuss, and appreciate differences in a safe, facilitated space. All are welcome.

Thriving Together Atlanta Equitable Dinner

Thursday, January 23, 4:00–6:00 p.m., Phi Gamma Hall, Oxford College

Engage in a facilitated crucial conversation and spark ideas for collective action while sharing a meal with friends and enjoying a thought-provoking play.