Today marks the fifth annual observance of the National Day of Racial Healing and the second time Arkansas has joined in the celebration. On the heels of MLK Jr. Day, this holiday kicks off a weeklong, state-wide set of virtual and in-person events to promote tough, but meaningful conversations about race. The organizers are dedicated to “choose healing over hatred, belonging over bias, and unity over division.” 

Learn how to have meaningful conversations with your kids about race through our conversation with local guidance counselors here. 

To learn even more about this holiday, check out our sister publication Little Rock Soirée's October cover story here. You can also visit the group's website and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.

Soirée also rounded up the week’s activities. Here's how you can join in on this year's NDORH activities:

Tuesday, Jan. 19

9 a.m. – Press conference to announce the National Day of Racial Healing in the State of Arkansas. The press conference will be held at the Arkansas Municipal League headquarters in North Little Rock to announce the gubernatorial and mayoral 2021 NDORH proclamations. The following municipal executives will issue a joint statement of truth, racial healing and transformation: Mulberry Mayor Gary Baxter, Stephens Mayor Harry Brown, North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick, Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan, Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow, Blytheville Mayor James Sanders, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington. Watch here.

Noon - Clinton School of Public Service's Center on Community Philanthropy will announce the recipients of the 2021 Advancing Equity Award. Watch here.

2 p.m. - National live streaming event hosted by Baratunde Thurston and sponsored by W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Watch here. 

5 p.m. - The Collegiate Art of Racial Healing presents H.E.A.L.E.D. through Hip Hop. Watch here.

8 p.m. - Shelter-in-Place Virtual Film Series NDORH 2021 Mini Festival presents "Imaginary Walls: A Documentary About Healing Racism" virtual screening and panel discussion in partnership with Coming to the Table. Watch here.

Wednesday, Jan. 20

1 p.m. - UAMS College of Public Health & UAMS Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will co-host a special Racial Healing Space. Watch here.

5 p.m. - Lifting Their Names, Past & Present ceremony honoring the memory of the 47 unarmed Arkansans who died in police custody between 2015-present. Watch here. 

7 p.m. - APJMM's Clarice and Kwami Abdul-Bey sit with Rosanne Cash to discuss her how her coping with the 2020 summer of international protests for racial equity and social justice led to her partnership with APJMM through the release of her new singles “Promised Land” and “The Killing Fields.”  Watch here. 

7:30 p.m. - Shelter-in-Place Virtual Film Series and APJMM Pulaski County Community Remembrance Project presents the world premiere of Little Rock native Korey Isbell's  film "Vilified" about the 1927 lynchings of Lonnie Dixon and John Carter in Little Rock, followed by a panel discussion with descendants. Watch here. 

Thursday, Jan. 21

6 p.m. - APJMM Pulaski County Community Remembrance Project and the Clinton School will co-sponsor a virtual community discussion on racial healing and restorative justice. Watch here.

8 p.m. - Shelter-in-Place Virtual Film Series presents "Divided We Fall: Unity Without Tragedy" virtual screening and panel discussion, a With Malice Towards None Initiative sponsored by Braver Angels Central Arkansas. Watch here.

Friday, Jan. 22

9:30 a.m. - Virtual press conference on steps of the Arkansas State Capitol to announce the 28-day Arkansas Racial Equity & Social Justice Challenge; introduce proposed legislation to establish a statewide Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Commission; and submit a petition to fully exonerate all defendants of the Elaine Race Massacre. Watch here.

6 p.m. - The Yarn will host a Building an Inclusive Culture Through Storytelling workshop to kick off its weekly workshops during the 28-day challenge.

7 p.m. - Shelter-in-Place Virtual Film Series presents "How to Love Your Enemy: A Restorative Justice Story." Watch here.