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Recommendation: Caste
Few books have the ability to educate very deeply on a particular topic, inspire readers to change their perspective, and provide a framework for action. This is especially true regarding the topic of race. Yet, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents accomplishes all of these. Isabel Wilkerson’s experience as a New York Times and Pulitzer…
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Recommendation: Who’s Black and Why?
Who’s Black and Why?: A Hidden Chapter from the Eighteenth-Century Invention of Race is without a doubt one of the most insightful books I’ve ever read. In my post addressing the question What is Race?, I list a few works that have helped form my understanding of race. This book has been quite influential in…
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Freedom (Juneteenth Sermon)
Sermon from Pastor Herman Armstrong at New City Fellowship on June 18, 2023. Title: Freedom I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that…
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3 Tips for Successful Diversity Efforts
Is your organization or ministry looking to start an initiative geared towards diversity? That’s a good thing! But, navigating the waters of diversity and inclusion efforts has great potential for miscommunication which can snowball and create more problems than solutions. Here are three thoughts on rolling out diversity efforts in ways that are clear, respectful,…
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What is Race?
Several years ago I was conversing with a friend about issues pertaining to race and culture. As we were getting deep into our discussion he asked me a question that I had never seriously thought through before, “You know that race is a social construct, right?” It took me aback to the point where the…
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What is Diversity?
As I was preparing to write this post I searched the internet for, “most misunderstood words.” Surprisingly, “diversity” was not on any of the lists that I found. I say this because I have seen several instances where one person was using the word (with a certain meaning in mind) and the hearer’s interpretation was…
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“You’ll be free or die”
The title of this post is a quote from Harriet Tubman, the great abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad. I was recently privileged with the opportunity to speak to a group of young scholars at The Freedom School in St. Louis and discuss her life during chapel. We discussed the bravery that Ms. Tubman…
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So, You Want to Be an Ally?
As a pastor and nonprofit leader in St. Louis, I speak regularly on racial reconciliation from a Christian worldview. When people outside of the Black community learn about the racial disparities regarding quality of life and the caste system of American history, it often breaks their hearts. The weightiness of these realizations stirs a desire…
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3 Tips for a Successful Black History Month!
Most of us know that February is Black History Month. What began as a weeklong celebration by Carter G. Woodson in 1926 has become a federally recognized holiday. Black History Month is great opportunity to practice reconciliation through learning and collaboration. Below are 3 tips to make your Black History Month celebration meaningful, transformative, and…
Kathairo Leadership Collective 