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.

8th 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. 

Emory continues to actively acknowledge its own racial history, expand the narrative of all voices, and envision a “bold future” where the ambition and heart of One Emory will create a human-centered environment for the next generation of leaders to thrive in. 

postcard showing information about national day of racial healing
The Journey to Healing for One Emory
Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 12:00–2:00 p.m. and Thursday, January 18, 2024, 4:00–6:00 p.m.

The entire Emory community is invited to engage in safe, brave, and responsible spaces to discuss, reflect, experience, and imagine a process of healing. The opening session is an interactive livestream Lunch and Learn with keynote speaker Tia Brown McNair, vice president for diversity, equity, and student success and executive director of TRHT campus centers for the American Association of Colleges and Universities. She'll discuss from a national perspective how to implement the TRHT framework within the strategic and innovative work being conducted on both Emory campuses. After her remarks, enjoy lunch and engage in an interactive discussion.  

postcard with date and time info for equitable dinner
Equitable Dinners Atlanta for Emory
Thursday, January 18, 2023, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

In collaboration with Equitable Dinners Atlanta and Out of Hand Theater, the TRHT Initiative is hosting a dinner specifically for the Emory community with a theatrical performance by Nikki Young, associate artistic director of Out of Hand Theater.

Both events are a part of Emory King Week. We’re looking forward to an amazing week of programming.

Black History Month Event
“Racial Healing Circle for the Diasporic Community”
February 8, 2024

Women’s History Month Event
Racial Healing Circle for Women’s Voices
March 7, 2024

Arab-American Heritage Month Event
Racial Healing Circle for a Unified Community
April 11, 2024

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Event
Racial Healing Circle for AAPI in Public Service
May 2, 2024

Racial Healing Circle Practitioner Workshop
June 2024