The Racial Justice Summit
The Racial Justice Summit (often referred to as “the Summit”) began in 2001 as a luncheon that brought community members together to address issues of racial inequity, driven by our mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Over the past two decades, the Summit has grown into one of the largest multiracial, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary gatherings in the region and nationally, convening people committed to racial justice learning and unlearning, collective healing, and liberation. Each year, the Summit welcomes approximately 1,000 attendees, both virtually and in person, to engage in dynamic community dialogues, racial justice practices, and action-visioning.
A Brief History
Expanding Access: Our Evolving Summit Experience
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, YWCA Madison began to explore new ways of connecting and engaging in virtual spaces. That year marked the first time YWCA Madison held the Summit entirely online. While we deeply missed gathering in person, we also witnessed a powerful expansion of access: the virtual format allowed people from across the country including attendees, practitioners, and keynotes, who might not have been able to attend otherwise, to join this vibrant community. In 2021, we embraced a hybrid model, offering both virtual and in-person experiences to create multiple, more inclusive pathways for engagement.
Nurturing Our Emergent Liberation Ecosystem
In an effort to nurture the Summit as an intergenerational community and to honor the intergenerational leadership that makes movement building possible, YWCA Madison began partnering with local school districts, restorative justice clubs, community centers, and universities to bring youth and young adults to the Racial Justice Summit in 2022. YWCA Madison has also expanded youth and young adult participation to include roles as curators, dialogue facilitators, keynote speakers, and featured artists. We remain dedicated to continuing this work. This year, we are deepening our commitment to intergenerational inclusion by expanding access to the Summit for elders as well.
As we look to the future, we hold love and excitement for what the Summit can continue to become as a living, evolving gathering that reflects the shifting needs, wisdoms, and visions of our communities. We are shaping the Summit not only as an annual event, but as a convener for sustained connection, action, and transformation. Rooted in justice, care, and possibility, the Racial Justice Summit will continue to grow as a space where people of all generations, identities, and experiences come together to seed new worlds and become the liberation ecosystem.
Celebrating 25 Years of the Racial Justice Summit
Journey through the Summit Over the Years Archives to experience the people, stories, and moments that have shaped our journey of learning and movement building on a path towards collective liberation.
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![Collage of various images and text advocating social justice, cultural pride, environmental conservation, and community activism, including photographs of people protesting, empowering women, and nature scenes, with phrases like 'change the story,' 'belonging,' 'co-liberation,' and 'women's rights.']()
2025
Get Together: Becoming the Liberation Ecosystem
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![Digital artwork of two women with brown skin and long braids, their heads back-to-back, holding colorful circular fans, set against a vibrant geometric background with neon hues and patterns, and a large circular shape resembling a rainbow in the background.]()
2024
Reflect, Connect, Create New Worlds
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![A hand holding a pot filled with pink and white flowers, with Earth seen in space behind them and a colorful galaxy background.]()
2023
Creating New Possibilities for Intersectional Justice, Collective Healing, and Liberation
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![Illustration of a person with curly hair seen from behind, listening to music through headphones, surrounded by handwritten text and five colorful icons representing the sun, tree, fish, flower, and a globe.]()
2022
Weaving Our Pasts, Present & Emergent Futures for Racial Justice and Co-liberation
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![Colorful illustration featuring a woman with flowers in her hair, a hummingbird, large flowers, butterflies, and abstract elements, all set against a vibrant background with pinks, purples, and greens.]()
2021
Reimagining Us: Unapologetic Love, Transformative Justice & Radical Imagination
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![Digital illustration of a woman with her eyes closed, hands crossed over her chest, and a large afro with a yellow flower, surrounded by fists and protest signs, including one with a rainbow flag and another with the words 'Protest', with text 'Centering Blackness' on her afro]()
2020
Centering Blackness: A Path to Build Collective Power & Justice for All
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![Colorful artwork of three diverse children representing different races, each with plants growing from their heads, symbolizing growth and unity. Title reads 'Los Niñosxs del Munjo' and subtitle 'The Children of the World'.]()
2019
Transforming Our Future: Remembering Our Legacies, Reimaging Our Lives
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![Collage of hand-drawn and colored portraits of women and men, each with handwritten or typed quotes about activism, equality, and empowerment.]()
2018
Reclaiming Our Story
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![A colorful artwork depicting a group of children and adults, possibly from an African community, set against a vibrant background with patterns and textures.]()
2017
Living Our Racial Justice Values: Building Collective Liberation
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![Promotional poster for the 2016 Racial Justice Summit, titled 'Changing the Narrative,' focusing on changing how race is discussed. The event is hosted by YWCA on September 29-30 at Monona Terrace. The poster features three women of color and includes text emphasizing YWCA's mission to eliminate racism and empower women.]()
2016
Changing the Narrative
