National Symposium - FirstRepair

Since 2021, FirstRepair has gathered reparations practitioners in Evanston, Illinois, the first municipality to pass tax-funded legislation enabling local reparations. This three-day symposium is the signature event for the local reparations movement. Attendees also participate in a bus tour, a Town Hall Session, regional reports, live Toolkit sessions, and an awards dinner recognizing significant leaders and achievements of the past year. The Symposium fosters collaboration, facilitates discussions on best practices and tools, towards crafting a sustainable model of local reparations. Our gathering includes over 30 sessions on topics including policy design, interfaith partnerships, communication and public sentiment, research, legal strategies, and allyship. In addition to workshops, the Symposium provides policy design assistance for local government bodies and institutions.

Attendees include local, state, national, and international reparations leaders and practitioners, mayors and other elected executives, City Council and other legislators, public and private lawyers, clergy and lay leaders, academics and researchers, racial justice leaders, elders and youth, artists and musicians, and more.

FirstRepair’s Symposium attracts over 300 in-person attendees from over 60 localities and 80 initiatives to hear from over 50 speakers.

Our reach extends beyond social metrics or a single platform. Our community includes over 1,200 engaged members on our email list, providing direct access to a highly targeted and loyal audience. Our Leadership collectively reaches over 30,000 followers across various platforms — a powerful and permanent network connected to FirstRepair.

Past speakers have included Tina Lifford (actor and playwright), Dr. Joy DeGruy (academic, researcher and author, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome ), Danny Glover (actor, producer), Leon Rogers (radio host, comedian, actor, writer), Tonika Lewis Johnson (2025 MacArthur Fellow), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, the Mayor of Evanston

View the recap from past Symposiums

2025

2024

2023

More Videos from the Symposium, including Plenary Sessions, Keynote Speakers, and Awards Ceremonies can be viewed at our YouTube channel.

Check out Photos from the 2025, 2024, and 2023 Symposiums!

Partner with us!

The National Symposium for State and Local Reparations Provides:

Solutions Only The FirstRepair Symposium generates action plans, motivating participants to implement what they have learned and advocate for reparations in their communities.

Learning and Sharing Through education, we access the knowledge needed to advocate for local reparations, amplify marginalized voices, facilitate dialogue, and build coalitions that drive meaningful change.

Social Change Our dialogue and exchange engages and improves local communities, promoting social change, and advancing Black community empowerment and liberation.

Engagement with Experts and Leaders The Symposium attracts experts, thought leaders, and change-makers who can inspire, mentor, and guide participants in their reparations efforts.

Collaboration The Symposium engages participants in constructive and open conversations to support action plans that advance reparations initiatives.

Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities are Available!

Please reach out to victoria@firstrepair.org for more information.