Three years have passed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tragic murder of George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide protests have sparked crucial conversations regarding race, equity, and justice in the United States. Though attention and public awareness rose to new heights three years ago, the progress toward advancing racial equity has since stagnated across sectors. In an effort to sustain this critical conversation, the Richmond Racial Equity Essays (RREE) 2.0 endeavors to showcase the perspectives and work of activists, educators, researchers, and community leaders who tirelessly strive to dismantle oppressive systems.

This second edition will center on two pivotal questions: What now? What next? Contributors to this series have been invited to reflect on the immediate and future steps required to advance racial equity and justice. They share the strategies employed in their fight for liberation and shed light on the personal and communal practices that underpin their efforts to support equity and justice. Through these thought-provoking inquiries, readers are challenged to reject complacency and actively engage in the pursuit of liberation for all.

Beginning in June of 2023, the RREE will publish two essays and a podcast episode monthly, providing a continuous stream of content that fosters conversation and encourages critical thinking. Whether you are a community organizer, educator, activist, or concerned citizen, this collection will offer valuable insights into the collective actions required to construct a more just and equitable future.

At its core, Richmond Racial Equity Essays 2.0 serves as a call to action. Although this body of work originates in Richmond, Virginia, a city with a long history of racial injustice as the former capital of the Confederacy, the issues faced in Richmond mirror those encountered across our nation. Through this project, I hope to inspire and encourage readers from across the country to take action and continue the fight for racial justice and equity.