Tag: race
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Why We Recognize Black Excellence

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” -Romans 12:21 On a recent trip to Atlanta I spent some time in the suburb of College Park. After a good southern meal of chicken and waffles, I decided to take a walk. While strolling down Main Street, I came across several murals that…
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Cohort Learning as Discipleship

Good experiences are better when they are shared with others. This is what the Legacy Leadership Cohort (LLC) is all about. The LLC, coordinated by Kathairo and Restore St. Louis, is a leadership development experience for a small group of African-American leaders. It is focused on faith, cultural awareness, and applying the best practices of…
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Slowing Down to Speed Up: The Power of a Retreat

The picture above describes the culture of most interactions today; everyone’s vying to prove their point. Opinions are strong, knowledge is shallow, and emotions are strong Everyone feels this, but those that engage in relational work feel it more intensely. From management, to nonprofit work, education, or ministry; work that is heavily relational has a…
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What Is Black Leadership Development?

At Kathairo, we define Black leadership development as the intentional process of identifying, investing in, and empowering Black leaders to grow in their God-given capacity to lead; with cultural clarity, Gospel conviction, and community connection. It’s not a trend. It’s discipleship. Black leadership development matters because it reflects the fullness of the Body of Christ.…
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Running Without Fear: Longing for a World Made New

Recently, my family enjoyed a vacation in Navarre, Florida. One morning, as I jogged taking in the beautiful homes, swaying palm trees, warm sun, and gentle breeze, a sudden thought struck me: Will I be the next hashtag? I had just passed a newly constructed home, and my mind went to names and stories we’ve…
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Leadership is Exploration

At my core, I am an explorer. I deeply enjoy trying new things, meeting new people, and exploring new places. It’s how God made me. Recently I was blessed to take a vacation to Colorado Springs to relax and enjoy some hiking in the mountains. I visited a very popular area called the Garden of…
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Culture Flows from the Top

Many ministries and nonprofits recognize the need for greater ethnic diversity and attempt to address it by hiring more diverse staff. While well-intentioned, this approach often falls short because it skips a critical step: addressing culture at the leadership level. I once consulted for an organization that expressed a strong desire to become more ethnically…
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From Darkness to Light

Why Discussing Hard History Matters Recently, I had the opportunity to speak about the story of Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis; a housing project once seen as a symbol of hope, but ultimately a tragic example of racial discrimination, economic neglect, and broken promises. The story of Pruitt-Igoe isn’t just local history; it reflects a much…
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I am Not the “Black Friend”

It’s a complicated thing to help friends work through and discuss issues of race. This can be especially true for Black people. Some days, it feels like a sacred calling. I know from experience the feeling of being in a board room or planning meeting and someone turns to me saying, “well Herman, you’re Black.…
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Freedom to Forgive: Corrie Ten Boom

Dynamic Leadership Series Part 3 When have you needed to extend or receive forgiveness through a cross-cultural offense—and what did it teach you? Real leaders know the importance of maintaining healthy relationships. And all relationships require continual forgiveness. Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who helped Jews escape the Nazis during World War II, is…