We recommend doing Spirituality and Racial Equity or Spirituality and Racial Healing before you do Spirituality and Racial Justice.

In order to dismantle the norms, laws, and policies that prop up racial injustice, we must first identify and understand them. Most of us did not learn this information in school, regardless of our racial background. By filling in these important educational gaps and working with your group to create an action plan, the racial justice series can provide you with the tools, knowledge, and support you need to work for change more effectively. In addition, we’ve received feedback that some people of color find it affirming to read and talk about the reality of racism and know they are not alone in their experiences.

On the other hand, there may be White members of your group who express denial, anger, and/or grief as they come face-to-face with the reality of racism. Witnessing these reactions can be deeply painful and even re-traumatizing. While the program contains extensive facilitator training and group guidelines for healthy dialogue, JustFaith Ministries unfortunately cannot fully guarantee that these guidelines will be upheld. For this reason, we encourage prospective participants of color to carefully discern whether this program is a good fit for them. If at any point during the program you must withdraw, let us know so that we can address your concerns and reimburse your registration contribution.

People of color often have the burden of teaching White people about racism. That’s a lot of pressure! For this reason, we designed these materials for small groups of any demographic. Experts of color have guided the JustFaith Ministries staff in choosing books, videos, and articles that highlight voices of color and speak truth about the reality of racism in our country.

Groups that are all White do not necessarily need a person of color as a co-facilitator. However, if your group is diverse, we recommend one of the facilitators be a person of color.

Spirituality and Racial Equity is not based on any one specific religion or denomination. It is designed for a more broadly spiritual audience. Those who are unaffiliated with a church or religious tradition or who identify as “spiritual but not religious” will find the program content relevant and meaningful. This version of the program may also resonate with an interfaith audience. Meditative practices at the beginning and end of each session provide a spiritual foundation for the program. These practices draw from Hindu and Buddhist practices of mindfulness but do not arise from any one particular religious tradition. (A specifically Christian version of “Spirituality and Racial Equity” is also available).

We believe in speaking truth and standing in solidarity with marginalized communities, even when there’s real risk involved. However, one of the primary reasons JustFaith Ministries developed this program is because we are well-aware of the tension around this issue and that a botched attempt at conversation or training can cause more harm than good. Spirituality and Racial Equity will teach your community the skills they need to engage in important conversations with deep listening and mutual respect. Also, this program comes with a facilitator training webinar, as well as live facilitation support. After having completed Spirituality and Racial Equity, you can not only expect your group to have grown closer, but also to be better equipped to have hard conversations around any issue, no matter the subject matter.