Unlock the Match – Make March On! Festival 2025 Possible!
We’re excited to announce that March On! 2025 Festival will take place September 16–21 with the theme: March On! Health Equity: From the Shadows to the Spotlight.
With fewer institutional funders willing to back equity-focused initiatives, we need financial support from individual supporters like you to make the festival a reality.
To help inspire strong support from other individuals, a generous donor pledged to match every dollar raised—up to $75,000!
That means your gift goes twice as far in ensuring these vital stories are told.
The campaign starts now—let’s bring these stories from the shadows to the spotlight.
Save the Date: MARCH ON! A Power Boost for the Soul
Thursday, April 24 | 7:00 PM ET | Virtual
Feeling drained by today’s challenges? Take a moment to refuel your spirit and draw inspiration from the courageous changemakers who shaped the Civil Rights Movement.
MARCH ON! is more than an event—it’s a movement, a rallying cry, and a soul-stirring experience designed to recharge your passion for justice, creativity, and truth.
This is more than an event—it’s a movement, a rallying cry, and a soul-stirring experience designed to recharge your passion for justice, creativity, and truth.
Join us for a virtual gathering where we’ll revisit electrifying moments from past festivals—where history, music, and the arts bring the stories of the Civil Rights Movement to life. At a time when the truth about history is under attack, we reaffirm the power of storytelling, the necessity of art, and the voices of those who refused to be silenced.
This is your moment to pause, breathe, and gather the energy to keep pushing forward. Because the march isn’t over. It’s just getting started.
Celebrating the Women Who Inspire Change
For Women’s History Month, we celebrate the lasting contributions of women who have shaped history and continue to inspire change. Coretta Scott King’s dedication to justice, Nikki Giovanni’s impactful poetry, and Zora Neale Hurston’s significant contributions to literature have all had a lasting impact. We also honor the leadership of our very own Artistic Director, Isisara Bey, and other civil rights leaders in the arts and film who have fought for equality.
Follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about the women who’ve led the movement—and explore our platform to see how we’re elevating unsung heroes all year long.
OpEd from our 2024 Honoree: Reginald Dwayne Betts
Reginald Dwayne Betts, a previous recipient of the March On! Award, remains a key voice in the conversation about race, justice, and redemption. In his recent New York Times Op-Ed, I Teach at Harvard. Store Managers See Me as a Threat, Betts reflects on the effects of racial profiling and the enduring consequences of incarceration. From his time in prison to becoming a poet, lawyer, and the founder of Freedom Reads, Betts’ journey embodies the resilience the festival honors, and we’re proud to support his continued efforts for social change.
Event Recap: Long Way Down – From Page to Stage Virtual Salon!
“In case you missed it, March On! hosted a virtual experience with Long Way Down: From Page to Stage. You can still catch the conversation between March On! Founder Robert Raben and bestselling author Jason Reynolds on the March On! website. Don’t miss out on this exciting discussion about the gripping story that has captured hearts nationwide!” 
What Films or Art Move You? Share With Us!
At March On!, we believe in the power of storytelling to educate, inspire, and ignite change. Whether it’s a film that made you see the world differently, a song that lifts your spirit, or a piece of art that speaks to your soul, we want to hear from you!
What movie, book, or artwork has left a lasting impact on you? What makes it stand out? Why does it continue to resonate?
Share your favorites with us! Your recommendations might be featured in our upcoming campaigns as we celebrate the stories that move us all.
Wisdom of the Movement: Strategies & Tactics – A Message from our Artistic Director
In her latest reflection, our Artistic Director Isisara Bey revisits the Civil Rights Movement’s enduring lessons on resistance, unity, and economic impact. Through powerful historical examples—from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the Sullivan Principles—she unpacks how strategic planning and bold tactics fueled systemic change.
By examining the calculated efforts behind these pivotal moments, she reminds us that today’s activism stands on the foundation of a movement that was anything but passive. As we navigate modern struggles for justice, understanding the power of economic resistance, collective action, and unwavering commitment remains essential.
