Riders for Race Amity

Youth leading. Communities healing. A journey toward race amity — from Madison, WI to Montgomery, AL.

Healing the wounds and building a society in which people of diverse backgrounds live as members of one family are the most pressing issues confronting America today.

Our Story

Riders for Race Amity is a biking initiative dedicated to fostering racial healing and unity.

Cyclists journey from Madison, Wisconsin to Montgomery, Alabama, visiting historical civil rights sites and engaging in meaningful community conversations along the way. Through restorative justice circles, public discourse gatherings, and service projects, participants build bridges across racial divides and inspire lasting change.

What started as a small group of adults grew into something transformative when youth organically joined and rose into leadership. Their courage and clarity turned this project into a movement—and reminded us that the next generation is not waiting to build a better world.

Ride

Where courage meets the open road.

A thousand miles of courage, conversation, and connection led by young people who believe unity is built one mile at a time.

Dialogue

Where listening becomes leadership.

Our roundtables create space for honesty, connection, and real understanding between neighbors and generations.

Impact

Where unity becomes action.

From the road to living rooms, this movement creates real change through relationships, education, and youth empowerment.

The Journey

1,000+ Miles

14 Days

10+ Cities

Madison, WI → Montgomery, AL

Following in the spirit of the original Freedom Riders, our cyclists traverse the heartland on a transformative journey. Along the route, participants engage with diverse communities, discussing topics like "othering," colorblindness, and systemic racism.

Along the way, riders:

Lead community dialogues and public discourse gatherings
Visit historic civil rights sites
Serve communities in every city they enter
Visit the Equal Justice Initiative museums in Montgomery
Build intercultural friendships across racial lines
Model what interracial cooperation looks like in practice

Youth Empowerment

We believe in these youth until they believe in themselves.

Too often, society views young people through a lens of deficiency—as inexperienced, disengaged, or in need of correction. At Riders for Race Amity, we see young people not as a problem to fix, but as leaders in the making.

Youth are trusted with real responsibility, supported by caring adults, and encouraged to use their voice. Through dialogue, service, and shared experience, they discover their strength and their power to create change.

Three Generations Rising Together

7th–8th Graders Emerging participants, learning to reflect, listen, and serve

9th–12th Graders Facilitators and lead presenters, guiding dialogues

18–25 Year Olds Junior mentors modeling character, service, and responsibility

Adults Spiritual support, logistics, and the humility to step aside

Race Amity Roundtables

Conversations that move us toward unity, friendship, and justice.

A Race Amity Roundtable is a structured, youth- and adult-facilitated conversation that brings people together to share stories, listen deeply, and build empathy across lines of difference. These gatherings consistently transform participants' perceptions of race and belonging.

How It Works

Introduction

Learn about Race Amity as a framework for unity and healing

Video Presentation

A short video introduces the chosen theme

Reflection

Five minutes of quiet reflection on what resonated

Small Group Dialogue

Facilitated discussion in groups of 5-7 people

Large Sharing Circle

Coming together to share insights and commitments

Where Can a Roundtable Take Place?

Schools & Youth Programs Faith Communities Nonprofit Organizations Community Centers Libraries Workplaces Homes

Get Involved

Join the 2026 Ride

Apply to be part of a movement grounded in Race Amity, dialogue, and community. Riders are selected through an application process to ensure a committed and supportive group.

Apply Now

Host a Roundtable

Bring a Race Amity Roundtable to your community. Create space for honesty, connection, and real understanding.

Book a Roundtable

Support the Work

Your donation helps fund the ride, roundtables, and youth development programs that make this movement possible.

Donate

Connect With Riders for Race Amity

Interested in volunteering, partnering, or learning more? We'd love to hear from you.

riders4raceamity@gmail.com

(608) 658-0431

Visit Official Website

Unity Is Not an Ideal—It's a Practice

Join the movement. Whether you ride, host a roundtable, or simply share the vision, you're part of building a more unified nation.

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