THE NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK: For Self, Family and Community

The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) advances the concept that leading a healthy centered, balanced life requires being in touch with our emotions and understanding the effect they may  have on our physical, mental and spiritual health. The process of connecting to the internal to enhance the external is what we call “reconciliation,” and can be implemented by an individual, an entire family, persons within a family or a community.

It’s important to note that reconciliation is a journey--not a destination—requiring a deliberate and purposeful effort to yield positive empowering results.

The National Reconciliation Week 2021 includes panel discussions, interviews with experts in the field, workshops, training sessions and tips featured in a customized tool kit. Confirmed speakers include former USA TODAY writer and health expert Jayne O’Donnell, relationship coach Paul Bashea Williams, therapist Rose Shelton, nonprofit executive Ana Acevedo, author and fatherhood expert Darryl Green, certified authentic lifestyle design coach and founder of Leap, Learn Live Stacey Clark, co-parenting guru Michael Smothers, self-care expert and founder of Young Parent Elevation Network Jennifer Okosun,  and  intrapersonal psychologist and movement therapist Dr. Tracie Robinson, and certified life coach and women's fatherood pioneer Jonetta Rose Barras.

The event opens with the panel discussion--Love, Loss, COVID-19 and Reconciliation--that contextualizes the challenges facing individuals, families and communities, particularly those of color within this time of a health pandemic and why reconciliation is a viable vehicle for healing and empowerment. 

Each successive day includes a flash interview with an expert in the field that will be presented for participants and throughout NRW’s social media network. A forty-five minute single topic, interactive workshop will follow. Participants will be provided specific tips and resources in each area.

The National Reconciliation Week is designed to help individuals, families and communities heal from the emotional, mental and physical trauma of estrangement; to teach them effective methods of self and familial care, which would reduce the potential of recurrence of previous trauma; offer effective tools for developing and maintaining whole, healthy, stable relationships both personal and familial, including providing the framework for successful co-parenting and family reconciliation; and to better equip them in creating a new post-pandemic normal.

The last day of the event will include an overview of the week with a ritualized closing designed to keep participants on the reconciliation path. To ensure the latter, each participant will be invited to become involved in the three, monthly coaching sessions, ensuring they have a successful journey.