Roots of Justice

06/14/2026

Today, 6/14/2026 is the ODUNDE Festival! The Yoruba people of Nigeria mark today as the start of their New Year, which typically aligns with the first moon of June. In the United States, "Odunde" refers to the massive, highly acclaimed African American street festival held annually in South Philadelphia. Founded in 1975 by Lois Fernandez, the festival draws upwards of 500,000 attendees and spans 16 city blocks.

06/11/2026

white Christians lack good role models for racial solidarity

Historian David F. Evans was seeking good role models for white justice workers engaged in multicultural activ­ism. Historically, white progressives often allied with Black freedom fighters, but then there would be "a break, a disconnect." In his new book, Evans looks at why white Christian progressives frequently failed in racial solidarity—and what we can learn from those missteps.

Link to the interview in the comments.

05/31/2026

It is with heavy hearts and profound grief that we, the family of Dr. Rachel Elizabeth Harding, announce her peaceful passing on Monday, May 25, 2026, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil — the city she loved and called her "second home." Rachel left this earth surrounded by family and by beloved members of Terreiro do Cobre, her Candomblé home for decades. We are grateful beyond words for the Terreiro do Cobre family, the Southern Freedom Movement/Civil Rights family, and the Denver and worldwide community who held Rachel with such tenderness over the years.

A poet, historian, and scholar of religions of the Afro-Atlantic diaspora, Rachel spent her life weaving together the sacred and the struggle for social justice. Her scholarship and poetry opened new ways of understanding the deep ties between Black spiritual traditions, creativity, and social transformation — her work made a profound impact on communities across the United States and Brazil. She co-directed the Veterans of Hope Project and served as associate professor emeritus of Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado Denver.

Details regarding a celebration of life will be shared in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to cavecanempoets, Indigo Arts Alliance, and The Veterans of Hope Project, an initiative founded by her parents, Rosemarie and Vincent Harding, in Denver to preserve the intersection of religion, culture, and democratic social movements.

05/16/2026

05/10/2026

has anyone read this yet? what ya think?

05/10/2026

Love & Justice to all the moms 😍 happy mother's day.

04/18/2026

Conrad Thulani Moore's Memorial Service was Friday April 17th at the Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, N.J.
Our brother crossed over and become an ancestor on Feb.17,2026. We honor him.

We at Roots of Justice offer condolences to his wife and family and grieve with them. We honor his life, his deep wisdom, his courage, and his tremendous gifts as an antiracist educator and trainer.

Thulani joined Roots of Justice (then Damascus Road) in 1998, and quickly became an invaluable trainer, organizer, and a prophetic voice for change. He was an endlessly creative, brilliant, organic intellectual, never shying away from telling the truth. His core vocation was teaching others about the racial history of the United States as well as the possibility of liberation for those who learn to see that history clearly. With his unique combination of humor and seriousness, he taught thousands of people how to see, name, and live beyond the racial constructs upon which this country was founded. The impact of his life on so many is a legacy that will continue across generations.

We are deeply grieved. We’re also lifted by the memory of such a powerful person as Conrad Thulani Moore in our midst. Ashe.
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Some words from ROJ trainers:

Michelle Armster – “Conrad and I joined MCC and Damascus Road around the same time. He and I would reflect that it was Damascus Road that caused the scales to drop from our eyes and gave us language for our anti-racism journey. Our journey together lasted 27 years. Today, I am deeply heartbroken because I lost a friend and a long time companion. Miss you, Thulani.”

Phil Morice Brubaker – “For nearly 30 years, Conrad taught me so much, and made me laugh so hard. I continue to be inspired by his creative energy and challenged by his single-minded dedication to justice.”

Dee Dee Risher – “Conrad was a powerful teacher with a gift of synthesizing the long, wrenching story of race in this country. He said hard and truthful things with his own humor and spirit. He was an indefatigable warrior for justice, never backing down. His memory will always give me courage.”

Nick Miron- “Conrad, Thulani, was a treasure. He could laugh as effortlessly as teach, find ways to connect with just about anybody, and loved a good joke. The void left by Thulani will not be filled, but carried with me until we meet again. Your memory will be a blessing, friend.”

Lorie Hershey - Conrad was part of my first experience of Damascus Road in the late 1990s as a participant. His warmth mixed with a straight-forward analysis of racism left a lasting impression. Thulani taught me so much since that time. His wisdom, candor, humor, and creativity has been invaluable and will be deeply missed.

Calenthia Dowdy - Conrad inspired me to be the best trainer I could possibly be. He taught me so much about authenticity and narrative, and being in the moment. I always told him he was a natural teacher. Rest well,"Dr" Thulani. We love & miss you.

04/17/2026

REST in POWER. Our passionate, brilliant Anti-racism educator friend and colleague. Conrad "Thulani" Moore.

Thulani Conrad Lewis Moore, 71, a longtime antiracism educator and organizer who played key roles in the Damascus Road and Roots of Justice training programs, died Feb. 17. He lived in Tucker, Ga., with his wife and young daughter.

02/21/2026

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