“Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice – and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.“

In this funny, wise Ted Talk, diversity advocate Verna Myers urges listeners to move courageously toward biases that make them uncomfortable.

“I’m talking with professor Ibram X. Kendi, New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist and the Director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University. We talk about racial disparities, policy, and equality, but we really focus on How to Be an Antiracist, which is a groundbreaking approach to understanding uprooting racism and inequality in our society and in ourselves.”

“Even babies notice differences like skin color, eye shape and hair texture. Here's how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children.”

“The worst conversation adults can have with kids about race is no conversation at all,” says author Jemar Tisby. “Talking to kids about race needs to happen early, often, and honestly.”

This wonderful NPR podcast has rounded up its very best episodes for kids, or as they call them “bright young minds with boundless energy, just waiting to learn how to fight the power and advance racial justice.”

“NPR's Michel Martin talks to Jennifer Harvey, author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America, about how to talk with white kids about racially-charged events.”

“Not being racist is not enough. We have to be antiracist. Ibram X. Kendi's incendiary polemic is stirring, provocative and impossible to ignore. Here he explains why it's not enough to simply say you're not racist. Discover the book here.”

How do you discuss human variety, acknowledge discrimination and bias -- and celebrate our commonalities and our differences? Here are some important tips from Doing Good Together.

“Movies, TV, and books can be powerful teaching tools when it comes to helping kids understand race, racism, and a history of racial oppression.”

Drawing from the wisdom of a long list of experts, this simple guide will get you started.

These free lessons are designed to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy, but they are useful for families as well. Find lessons for all school-aged levels.

DGT™ and Making Caring Common, a project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, created this fun, three-part series designed to inspire and empower children to be ambassadors for good beyond their immediate friends and family.

This brand new web portal offers specific tools for parents and caregivers looking to raise these important and challenging conversations with children.

LEARN about policy solutions that your family may want to ADVOCATE for in a letter to your legislators. Each solution is informed by data, research, and human rights principles. Your family may also want to DONATE to their efforts.

Clear, reserach-based advice. “How can parents, many of whom are struggling themselves, help children process what they’re seeing and manage their feelings? There’s no one right answer. That said, there are a few guidelines parents can keep in mind to help kids deal with troubling news about race and violence.”

This widely-shared Medium article is a wonderful, honest look at the challenges for parents -- but how important these conversations are.

This brilliant, research-based organization is based in St. Louis and was founded after Michael Brown’s death to “change the conversation and build momentum towards racial equity.” They are beginning to offer national programs for families as well.

The work of fighting oppression includes putting yourself in vulnerable positions to witness incidents and have experiences that can be upsetting, alarming and traumatic. Preserving your mental health and building mental resilience is necessary to continue the fight for justice.

“LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. LDF also defends the gains and protections won over the past 75 years of civil rights struggle and works to improve the quality and diversity of judicial and executive appointments.”

“As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, Color of Change moves decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.”

“The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.”

LEARN about policy solutions that your family may want to ADVOCATE for in a letter to your legislators. Each solution is informed by data, research, and human rights principles. Your family may also want to DONATE to their efforts.

Breathtakingly illustrated by Dung Ho, Eyes that Kiss in the Corners is Joanna Ho’s love letter to not just Asian children, but all children. Her debut picture book gloriously celebrates individual beauty and confidence and highlights how precious a supportive family can be. A perfect book to read at any age and a piece of art that will be shared for years to come.

The fiction and nonfiction books in this list will raise awareness about the history of the United States and the movements that are pushing us closer to equality.

This collection sets the stage for big conversations about the differences and similarities between us all. Plus, they are outstanding stories your whole family will want to re-read!

By Marianne Celano PhD , Marietta Collins PhD, and Ann Hazzard PhD. To promote literacy and literature, Story Time is a Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center program and Atlantis School For Gifted Youngsters produced series that highlights children's books that are inspiring, empowering, and educational. Order your copy here.

Perfect for young kids and their families, this book offers a gentle starting point for a conversation about racism. Find the book here.

This eclectic list for adults is full of books chosen to become “a stepladder to antiracism, each step addressing a different stage of the journey toward destroying racism’s insidious hold on all of us.”

This list - curated by critical literacy organizations, The Conscious Kid and American Indians in Children’s Literature - focuses on taking action.

“Elmo and Abby want to learn about things that are different and the same. Gordon is reading a great book that might help Abby and Elmo called We're Different, We're the Same.”

This offers an excellent reading guide as well as specific book suggestions. “‘It is not enough to talk about racism, you must strive to be anti-racist and fight against racist policies and practices,’ Dr. Heard-Garris said. If you have the privilege, ‘make space, speak up or amplify issues of inequity and injustice.’ Children see everything.”

One of our big-hearted famlies shared this photo of their window-centered candlelight vigil in memory of lives needlessly lost and in support of social justice. This lovely, simple ritual was suggested by their son and may help children everywhere honor this moment.

Reach out to your elected leaders - especially local leaders - and let them know you expect them to support people who are experiencing homelessness or food insecurity at this time.

Research an issue your family is passionate about. Then create a newsletter to raise awareness about your cause.

Do your part to correct injustices and demand equity. Find Change.org’s petition for Justice for George Floyd here. And visit Overhaul of Advocacy for an expansive list of anti-racist petitions your family can sign.

Support the American Civil Liberties Union as they work to expand voter access and safeguard civil rights. Your family can customize their language to reach out to your own legislative leaders.

Connect with family friends to start a book club. Meet (via Zoom!) to read and discuss thought-provoking titles from DGT, or from this wonderful list from EmbraceRace.org.

This excellent New York Times booklist offers books chosen to become “a stepladder to antiracism, each step addressing a different stage of the journey toward destroying racism’s insidious hold on all of us.” Also, this list from Buzzfeed will round out your reading list.

DGT does the research and compiles free monthly listings of creative family-friendly volunteer projects in several major U.S. cities. Each month, we offer at least five opportunities to make a difference in local communities. Be sure to subscribe to this free service to add these volunteer opportunities to your email inbox!

Find more tools to learn together through this extensive database:

“This site is home to many anti-racism resources spanning from organizations, donations, and Black businesses to educational resources, media, arts, and culture. This database is for anyone who wants more knowledge on who to listen to, how to advocate, and how to keep fighting for racial justice!”

This educator and anti-bias expert offer exceptional tools for parents and caregivers. Her social media accounts will keep you thinking deeply about addressing bias and injustice head-on.

FOLLOW the social media channels and SHOP the must-read recommendations by this wonderful organization.

This remarkable research and policy organization is dedicated to reducing bias and promoting positive identity development in youth. They offer remarkable resources on social media.

This St. Louis-based nonprofit is engaging white families in conversations about racism and building momentum toward social justice.

We love this resource! Charnaie social media feeds connect families with diverse and inclusive books, kid-friendly products, and family experiences they will love.