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Grace and Race Ministries, Inc. is an ecumenical ministry developed to equip and empower participants to provide leadership to help foster racial understanding, healing and reconciliation. Reconciliation requires an individual willingness to be transformed. The scripture reference for this ministry is found in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled…
The grace of God empowers us to do great things. The “church” has the opportunity to help strengthen our communities by increasing the attention given to racial understanding, healing and reconciliation as a means to live out our Christian beliefs. Two fundamental understandings inform the ministry:
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Race, gender and power must all be addressed in the ongoing process of moving toward racial understanding and reconciliation,
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Reconciliation is never possible without truth. The activities of the ministry will include:
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Equipping and empowering church leaders for the ministry of reconciliation
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Collaboration with denomination program staff and leaders
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Consultations, dialogues in local churches, denominational and ecumenical settings
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Train the trainer activities
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Conflict resolution
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Resource guides – utilizing what is already available
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Bibliography on Racial Reconciliation
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Speakers Bureau
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Relationship will be a major connector, as it always is for visionary endeavors. There is already a lot of reconciliation work going on that must be acknowledged. There is potential for working with a seminary on program modules. Some denominations have existing justice, women ministry and anti-racism programs that may be valuable connectors.
Story of the Logo
The original Grace and Race Ministries, Inc logo, created by Rev. Ryan Wise, features the cross and the ornate purple wings of a butterfly. The image represents the transforming power of the Jesus Christ who died on the cross to offer us new life.
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Founder & President
Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell
Reverend Brenda Girton-Mitchell is Founder and President of Grace and Race Ministries, Inc., a ministry dedicated to developing leadership skills to dismantle racism and advance racial reconciliation.
Her professional life includes working as an elementary school teacher and serving as the President of the Indianapolis Education Association in her hometown, Indianapolis, Indiana; legislative assistant in the United States Senate, legislative counsel for Sears, assistant executive director for Dr. Dorothy Height at the National Council of Negro Women, director of diversity for Mitsubishi Motors of America, and Associate General Secretary for Justice and Advocacy for the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA.
Reverend Girton-Mitchell was appointed by President Obama as the Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education. She was honored to serve there from December 2010 – January 2017.
Reverend Girton-Mitchell is an advocate of lifelong learning. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University, a Master of Science from Indiana/Purdue University in Indianapolis, a law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law and a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary.
Chaplain
Rev. Dr. Phaedra D. Blocker
Rev. Dr. Phaedra D. Blocker is a preacher, teacher, singer, coach, and consultant who has a passion for wholeness and creative abundance. As founder and principal of Word&WisdomTM, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to move toward wholeness and actualize their potential as agents of change in the world. She serves as Affiliate Professor in Leadership & Formation at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University in St. Davids, PA, and teaches in the University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program.
Formerly the Director of Programs for New Baptist Covenant, an organization that brings diverse groups and congregations together to work toward racial reconciliation and social justice, Dr. Blocker’s ministry and professional experience includes oversight of discipleship and pastoral care ministries, counseling and spiritual direction, leadership development and training, serving as an associate pastor for a congregation of 10,000-plus members, and as assistant pastor for a small Liberian congregation. She also has over 30 years of experience in management, community relations, communications, and program and organizational development/consulting.
Dr. Blocker earned Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, a Master of Divinity degree from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary), and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Spiritual Transformation from Northern Theological Seminary.
Secretary/Treasurer
Teya Green
Teya Green is a native of Washington, DC. She is devoted to the empowerment and upliftment of all black people across God’s world. She is a womanist, and advocate of justice and lover of all things hip hop. Inquisitive by nature, Teya urges others to question all systems of power and challenge the status quo.
As a middle school social studies teacher at Washington DC’s only all girls public school, Excel Academy, she is responsible for the creative facilitation of both the learning and unlearning of U.S and world history and culture.
Teya Green is a proud graduate of The Piney Woods School. She holds a bachelors degree in history from Ball State University and a Masters of Art in Teaching (secondary education) from Mercy College.
Teya is a gifted writer and gifted spoken word artist. She is the director of the Fine Arts Ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Largo, MD.
Anna Hartge
Anna Hartge has lived in Washington, DC since 2012, a fact that often surprises her! Like many DC residents, Anna moved to the area thinking she would only spend a year or two here. Anna began her career as a political appointee in President Obama’s administration, serving in the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the U.S. Department of Education.
After graduating with her Master’s in Higher Education Student Affairs, she made the change to higher education and currently works at The George Washington University as the Industry Coach for Public Service in the Center for Career Services. Anna is a proud alumni of Hope College and enjoys giving back to the institution by serving on the Board of Alumni.
A native of Ohio, Anna enjoys traveling, time with family and friends, singing in the church choir, re-watching Parks and Recreation, and working her way through her never-ending “to-read” pile of books.
Elethia Singletary
With 20+ years of experience in non-profit board leadership, operational process improvement, and strategic communications, I'm the professional non-profits, private companies, and federal agencies call on to accelerate performance and achieve their goals.
Strategic engagement is key to capitalizing on new growth opportunities and efficient processes paired with real-world solutions drive results. No company is without its unique challenges and I am always prepared to bring leading-edge technical and creative solutions to the table. Whether advising key stakeholders or collaborating with cross-functional teams, I am ready to translate complex ideas into revenue-generating solutions!
Dave Flowers
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