I would like to invite YOU to be a member of a new movement of believers committed to what we can accomplish Together.

As you journey with me you will be introduced to many concepts about culture and race and to many people who have also trod this path towards freedom. Freedom is what this  is about. It is more about my belief that God has created a space within each one of his beautiful children to love him deeply and to love each other more. 

My 4th year of graduate studies required a  rather lengthy thesis which i entitled--
                                  ...and the Walls Come Tumblin Down!

And that will happen as we intentionally build RELATIONSHIPS

one-friend-at-a-time across culture and RACE.  

Yes I beleive that barriers of predjudice and racial indifference can be over come as two people risk vulnerability and learn to respect and trust each other as the unique and magnificent beings that they are. Perhaps this slow process won't make profound changes in institutionalized racism but one heart changed might make the difference for another's employment or their housing or their finances. And this kind of freedom glorifies God!    
           ---anyway, got a little off track there.
I was telling you about this thesis that I wrote in my last year at Calvin Theological Seminary...  the last chapter was to be a workshop. Something that could be implemented into action. Well, the workshop began as "The Race Circle". I pray that I can introduce to you some of its participants.
Out of that circle of friends birthed Hearts In Harmony Reciprocal Partners.

Ok I will stop here just in case one of you are 
just dieing to introduce yourself... So now you know at least one school that I have attended and the work that makes my heart sing.  How about you?

I would like to invite YOU to be a member of a new movement of believers committed to what we can accomplish Together when we

intentionally

seek to develop friendships

across barriers of culture, race, and ethnicity.

I will be your online guide on this journey as I share with  you my passion for partnering with folk from different ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

You may simply observe the conversations of the partnerships or you may choose to impact the world with your story.

When we tell our stories, we do indeed risk vulnerability, however

true transparency is necessary for growth.

Freedom is to be Known...

...to be known is freedom

I will begin by introducing myself and with the mutual expectation that when you join you will follow the prescribed format reciprocally.

My hope is that you will meet some of my previous Hearts In Harmony Partners

as they share their experience of such a commitment.

Who am I?

My great, great, great grandmother was Cherokee Indian and my great, great, great grandfather was Irish. My great grandmother called herself 'colored'. In the 5o's I was referred to as 'Negro', sometime Negroid... In the late 6o's I became a Black person. Then in and during the 70's we became African American. In some circles this is politically correct, perhaps. However I prefer to be called a Beautiful Black Woman. You will not be overtly critisized when using one or the other among native Black Americans. Correct me if I am wrong. Its a preference you can ask me later.

I was born in 1952 in Great Lakes Illinois. My birth father was a navy man and my birth mother lived in Chicago. When I was born times were tough for my mother and my care was immediate. While she worked my great grandmother took care of me and so did one of her daughters, who was my great aunt. As the story goes my great aunt and uncle adopted me and I grew up as an only child in Cassopolis Michigan.

Ok. This is enough for now. So you share your ethnic backgound and little family of origin details. Just share reciprocally, in other words share details about yourself that match mine. Then I will share something new and then you will match that response. Let's do this work together and be flexible.

This is only mutual sharing... not intended to debate. We are just creating a space for safe dialogue... a safe envoronment for us to grow in together.

JOIN HERE: The Hearts In Harmony Initiative