Kentwood, Michigan — Rwandans, survivors, faith leaders, youth, international officials, mental health experts, and friends of Rwanda from across the United States are gathering this weekend in Kentwood, Michigan, for one of the largest and most significant Kwibuka 32 commemorations in America — the Official U.S. National Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The powerful two-day national event, taking place May 23–24, 2026, will serve as a moment of remembrance, healing, resilience, unity, and renewed commitment to ensuring that genocide never happens again. Hosted by Ibuka USA in partnership with the Michigan Rwandan Community Association (MRCA) and the U.S. Rwandan Community Abroad (USRCA), the commemoration is expected to bring together hundreds of attendees from across multiple states for a historic gathering dedicated to honoring the lives of more than one million innocent Tutsi men, women, and children killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Organizers are calling on survivors, families, students, churches, community organizations, human rights advocates, and all friends of humanity to attend the events and stand together in solidarity with survivors.
The weekend begins today, Saturday, May 23, with the Survivors’ Reunion – Mental Health & Resilience Session at 1:00 PM EST at 1200 60th St SE, Kentwood, Michigan. The special healing session is designed exclusively for survivors and their families and will create a safe and supportive environment for reflection, emotional healing, intergenerational dialogue, and resilience-building.
Mental health professionals, clinical psychologists, researchers, and survivors with lived experience will lead powerful conversations focused on trauma recovery, resilience, hope, and breaking cycles of generational trauma. Organizers say the gathering is one of the most important survivor-centered healing spaces held during this year’s Kwibuka 32 commemorations in the United States.
Featured experts include Dr. Chaste Uwihoreye, Chantal Mudahogora, and Dr. Jessica Bonumwezi, who will guide intergenerational discussions bringing together survivors, children of survivors, and younger generations born after the genocide but still impacted by its legacy.
“This is more than a conference. It is a healing space for survivors and families to speak openly, support one another, and continue rebuilding together,” organizers said ahead of the event.
The evening will continue with the Kwibuka 32 Night Vigil beginning at 8:00 PM EST and open to the public. The candlelight vigil will feature survivor testimonies, music, poetry, prayers, and the emotional reading of names honoring victims of the genocide. Organizers are encouraging the public to attend the vigil as a powerful act of remembrance and solidarity with survivors.
Community leaders say the night vigil will provide an opportunity for reflection and unity while educating younger generations about the importance of preserving truth and confronting genocide denial and hate ideology.
The main event — the Official U.S. National Commemoration Ceremony — will take place tomorrow, Sunday, May 24, beginning at 3:00 PM EST. The national gathering is expected to feature distinguished speakers, survivor testimony, cultural reflections, panel discussions, and official messages from international and government leaders.
Among the featured speakers are Dr. Chaloka Beyani, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide; Hon. Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States; Marcel Shyaka, President of Ibuka USA; and Mayor Stephen Kepley of Kentwood, Michigan.
Survivor and author Reverien Rurangwa will deliver a testimony reflecting on the horrors of the genocide and the resilience of survivors. A special panel discussion focusing on memory, justice, healing, and combating genocide denial will also bring together leading scholars, psychologists, and experts in transitional justice.
Mayor Stephen Kepley is expected to present an official proclamation honoring Kwibuka 32 and recognizing the importance of remembrance and genocide prevention.
Organizers emphasized that the event is not only for Rwandans, but for all people who believe in human dignity, truth, justice, and preventing future atrocities around the world.
“This commemoration is about remembrance, but it is also about responsibility,” one organizer stated. “When communities gather to honor victims and listen to survivors, we strengthen our collective commitment to fighting hate, division, and genocide ideology everywhere.”
Throughout the weekend, attendees will participate in moments of prayer, candle lighting, names reading, youth reflections, survivor support activities, and community solidarity gatherings aimed at promoting healing and preserving the memory of the victims.
Organizers are encouraging the public to arrive early due to the expected large attendance and are inviting everyone to stand together with survivors during this important national commemoration.
As Kwibuka 32 continues around the world, the Michigan gathering is expected to become one of the most impactful commemorative events held in the United States this year — bringing together remembrance, healing, resilience, education, and hope under one united message: Never Again.
