R4R: Conversations that Educate and Elevate

In this podcast, hear Colonel James Kirkwood, former Memphis police officer and pastor and the Executive Director of the Memphis Christian Pastors Network, talk about why the white community needs to listen to, and believe, the stories of black people’s experiences – and then how to effect change.

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In this interview with Colonel James Kirkwood, former Memphis police officer and pastor and the Executive Director of the Memphis Christian Pastors Network, you’ll hear unique insight on how we can reach true reform in communities by starting with the community (police, clergy, leaders and citizens) taking ownership of whatever problem is going on. 

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2020 was a painful year for race relations. After a year of tragedies, Jen Barnes, founder of White Girl Awakening, offers ideas for what needs to happen to help the country move forward and bring unity, as opposed to more polarization and more division. Listen to the podcast to learn what you can be hopeful about from the past year and how to move forward in health. 

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Listen to the journey that Jen Barnes has taken and why she’s passionate about the conversation of racial equality. As the founder of White Girl Awakening and a ministry in Africa, and one who serves on various Boards, Barnes is a social entrepreneur who lives her life making a difference. Hear how growing up in Birmingham, Alabama and her grandfather’s influence helped shape her – and how she picked up his mantle.

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In part 2 of our chat with Karen Vogelsang, Executive Director of Arise2Read, we’re exploring how the nonprofit literacy organization is driving racial reconciliation through helping children in Memphis, TN, and beyond. Learn why its volunteers focus on helping second graders develop a foundational literacy skill called sight word fluency – and how you can get involved.

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Join as we talk to 2015 Tennessee Teacher of the Year and Executive Director of ARISE2Read, Karen Vogelsang about literacy. Learn why basic foundational skills like being able to read is often a challenge for inner city children and how you can be part of the change.

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Join as we talk to Brandon Wilkes, Executive Director of St. Louis Reconciliation Network, as we discuss how the Network began, its purpose of harnessing the potential collective powers of the diverse faith communities in St. Louis, and how it’s using that to build unity across the city. 

We talk about how the dynamics of race in St. Louis, such as health and educational disparities, have impacted their efforts, and how Ferguson was a catalyst for these important conversations and advancements. Learn what the city has done post-Ferguson that is leading to unity and transformation, and how the network has used faith organizations to be a critical part of the solution in that city.

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Join us as we talk about how education and other investments in the lives of black children can break the cycle of poverty and build wealth. Karin Conlee, Executive Director of R4R, interviews Board Member Drew Bailey, who talks about his grandmother’s influence on his life, and how her sacrifices ensured that he and his siblings were afforded opportunities in education and other arenas. We can draw lessons from his Grandmother and learn how affording these same opportunities to today’s black children can make a difference in each life, and in our communities across the nation.

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Join us for part 6 of a 6 part series as we unpack the 5 Majors and 5 Minors of Race for Reconciliation, a movement to bring healing from the past, honor in the present, and hope for the future. Karin Conlee, Executive Director of R4R, interviews expert Vonnetta West about the foundational message of Race for Reconciliation, acknowledging that while there are certain foundations you want to move toward, like creating equity and creating culture, there are also things you should avoid in this pursuit as well. 

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Join us for part 5 of a 6 part series as we unpack the 5 Majors and 5 Minors of Race for Reconciliation, a movement to bring healing from the past, honor in the present, and hope for the future. Karin Conlee, Executive Director of R4R, interviews expert Vonnetta West about the foundational message of Race for Reconciliation, focusing on why creating culture is the key to healing a divided nation and the three keys to creating that culture.

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