WILLIAMSBURG — The greater Williamsburg area will observe the fifth annual National Day of Racial Healing with a ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 6-8 p.m. at Legacy Hall.
The event is sponsored by the Historic Triangle chapter of Coming to the Table, a national racial reconciliation organization, the related nonprofit Virginia Racial Healing Institute, and Sentara Health System.
According to its website, “The National Day of Racial Healing is a time to contemplate America’s shared values and create a blueprint for how to heal from the effects of racism. Launched in 2017, it is an opportunity to bring all people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world.”
The Williamsburg ceremony will feature food, music, storytelling, a candlelight service, and the presentation of the second annual Table Builders Awards to local people and organizations that have worked to bridge racial divides, according to the organizers. Each attendee will also receive a copy of “The Little Book of Strategic Peacebuilding” by Lisa Schirch.
“We are excited to join communities nationwide to celebrate the National Day of Racial Healing,” said Laura Hill, president and executive director of Virginia Racial Healing Institute. “With the financial support of Sentara Health, we are bringing people together to listen, learn and build trust to help heal our community.”
“We are pleased to add another category for the Table Builders Award,” Hill added. “In addition to honoring an outstanding business, nonprofit, faith-based organization and government agency, this year we will also recognize an outstanding local educator.”
Musical entertainment will be provided by Sunshine Huggins, the inaugural Miss Juneteenth Virginia and the reigning Miss Juneteenth USA. Summer, a senior at Smithfield High School and a self-taught harpist, will play the harp and talk about her journey to becoming Miss Juneteenth, the organizers said.
Admission is free, but registration is required. For more information on The National Day of Racial Healing, visit dayofracialhealing.org
