The Texas Christian University Race & Reconciliation Initiative invites all students, faculty and staff to join together from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, in the Intellectual Commons (between the Mary Couts Burnett Library and Winton Scott Hall) for Reconciliation Day – a university-wide event to learn about and reflect on the initiative’s year-one work, commemorate healing and journey forward with celebration and fellowship.

“The conclusion of year one of the Race & Reconciliation Initiative marks the beginning of a new path of truth and reconciliation for our university – and I’m so excited we can bring our community together, in person, for commemoration and celebration,” Frederick Gooding Jr., Ph.D., chair of the Race & Reconciliation Initiative and associate professor of African American Studies in the John V. Roach Honors College, said.

The event is free and open to all students, faculty and staff. Registration is not required. COVID-19 protocols will be followed, including wearing masks and adhering to physical distancing. If you cannot join us on Wednesday, the event is being recorded and will appear on the Race & Reconciliation website by the end of the week. 

“This is an important day in our university’s history and every Horned Frog’s presence – whether it is to listen, learn, heal or share experiences – plays a significant role,” Gooding continued. “This is not an ending to TCU’s quest for truth and reconciliation; it is a milestone to be celebrated.”

RRI First Year Survey Report Released on Reconciliation Day 

Information from the Race & Reconciliation First Year Survey Report, which includes research, a statement of acknowledgment about the university’s history and recommendations for future action, will be shared during the Reconciliation Day commemoration portion of the program (full events outlined below) – and the complete report will be released simultaneously on the RRI webpage at noon, April 21.

The RRI First Year Survey Report focuses primarily on Black Americans and TCU’s experiences with racism, slavery and the Confederacy. The RRI recommendations were first presented to the TCU Board of Trustees at their spring meeting earlier this month, and the Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendations and to support their implementation.

Reconciliation Day marks the first day the report is made available to the full TCU community and provides an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to come together to contemplate and commemorate the findings and results, and celebrate the path forward.

Reconciliation Day Schedule of Events – April 21, 2021 

11 a.m.-Noon—Contemplation

The event begins at 11 a.m. with an hour of contemplation and time to reflect on our past, featuring live musical performances and oral reflections from students.

Noon- 1 p.m.–Commemoration

Beginning at noon, a series of special guests and speakers will take the stage to share information from the Race & Reconciliation Initiative’s First Year Survey Report, research and recommendations, followed by the presentation of actions from various campus leaders.

The hour concludes with messages from Mark Johnson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. and a special musical performance by Jeffery Todd, Ph.D. Gooding will close the commemoration hour and set in motion the journey forward.

The presentation will feature:

• Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs
• Dan Jian, assistant professor of arts, College of Fine Arts
• Paige Shiring, president, Student Government Association
• Sylviane Greensword, post-doctoral fellow, RRI
• Kathy Cavins-Tull, vice chancellor of Student Affairs
• Heath Einstein, dean of Admission
• Jeremiah Donati, director of Intercollegiate Athletics
• Frederick Gooding, Jr., chair of the Race & Reconciliation Initiative and associate professor of African American Studies, John V. Roach Honors College
• Mark Johnson, chair of the TCU Board of Trustees
• Victor J. Boschini, Jr., chancellor

1-2 p.m.—Celebration

After the conclusion of the formal event, Horned Frogs are invited to celebrate together with food, an interactive video booth, music and fellowship.

About the Race & Reconciliation Initiative

The Race & Reconciliation Initiative, an academically-based, historically-focused enterprise, launched in July 2020 with the charge to investigate TCU’s relationship with racism, slavery and the Confederacy. The academic endeavor will span multiple years. The focus for 2020-2021 has been on Black Americans; histories related to other identities will be explored in subsequent years. Through RRI, TCU has aligned with more than 70 universities worldwide as part of the Universities Studying Slavery Consortium, a movement designed for sharing research and strategies through semi-annual gatherings. RRI draws upon a number of existing TCU programs to raise awareness of racism and inequality, helping the campus work toward a culture where everyone is respected and valued. Ultimately, the RRI helps the university embrace an active role in understanding and healing in our community.

For more information, explore the Race & Reconciliation website.

Race & Reconciliation Committee 

• Tosin Alao, undergraduate student representative 
• Susan E. Anderson, Ed.D., College of Education
• Jean Marie Brown, MA, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
• Katie Conzonire ’21, archival crew member
• Leslie Ekpe, MA, graduate student representative
• Holly Ellman, BS, ex offico, Marketing & Communication
• Alan Gallay, Ph.D., AddRan College of Liberal Arts
• Frederick W. Gooding, Jr., Ph.D., chair, John V. Roach Honors College
• Sylviane Greensword, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, director of RRI Oral History Project
• Lynn Hampton, Ph.D., John V. Roach Honors College
• Clifford Harrell II, Ed.D., Athletics
• Alex Hildago, Ph.D., AddRan College of Liberal Arts
• Bryan King, MBA, TCU Board of Trustees
• Scott Kurashige, Ph.D., School of Interdisciplinary Studies
• Jacque Lambiase, Ph.D., Bob Schieffer College of Communication
• Lauren Laphen ’21, archival crew member
• Adam McKinney, MA, College of Fine Arts
• Trung Nguyen, Ed.D., Student Affairs
• Marcellis Perkins, BA , graduate research assistant
• Marsha Ramsey, MA, administrative support, Office of the Provost
• Sarah Robbins, Ph.D., AddRan College of Liberal Arts
• Nancy Ruiz, MA, TCU Alumni Association
• Mary Saffell, MLS, ex officio, Mary Couts Burnett Library
• Briana Salas, BA, archival crew member
• Claire Sanders, Ph.D., ex officio, AddRan College of Fine Arts
• Karen Steele, Ph.D., Office of the Provost, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
• Tracy Syler-Jones, MBA, ex officio, Marketing & Communication
• Uma Tiwari, oral history project intern
• Aisha Torrey-Sawyer, M.Ed., ex officio, interim chief diversity officer, director, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
• Mary Taylor Williams ’20, archival crew member