Soul To Soul: an anti-racism project of Mecklenburg Ministries that is a continuation and expansion of the “Souls of White Folks” project funded by the Knight Foundation to support the faith community in addressing issues of inter-racial trust in Charlotte.

In 2006, Mecklenburg Ministries offered the “Souls of White Folks” program for clergy and faith leaders in the Charlotte Community addressing issues of race, power, privilege and the spiritual impact of these from the perspective of “what it means to be white.” This transformational program was so successful that we are now offering a community/congregational version of the original 18-hour program.

For more information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 704-376-7937

“Soul to Soul is full of energy and has provided fresh insights, new friends, and momentum for a “beloved community.” The importance of this effort is not only for the participants but for all of our congregations and indeed for the Charlotte region.”
Rush Otey,Minister, Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, Souls of White Folks participant

This program is available through the generous support of
The John S. & James L. Knight Foundation and The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
 

On October 16, 2008, Meck Min held a one-day retreat for all the participants of Souls of White Folks at Charlotte Friends Meeting. The retreat provided participants with the opportunity to take understanding of racial issues deeper and map out collaborative plans for moving our community forward toward greater inter-racial and inter-ethnic trust.

As in the original SWF sessions, this retreat worked toward the development of action plans and community projects, this time specifically collaborative cross-racial ones. Seed money of $250 was distributed to individuals to help to put these plans into effect.

History:

The initial motivation for the project stemmed from The Robert Putnam "Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey," conducted in 2000. This was a survey of 40 regions across the US that placed Charlotte among the top communities for participation in houses of worship, but next to last for inter-racial trust.

“Souls of White Folks" began in 2006 with 43 white faith leaders meeting in small discussion groups to explore the impact of race, privilege and power on their lives and the lives of their congregants.

The unique approach of “Souls of White Folks” was to empower white faith leaders to take ownership of their personal race-stories, to find a connection between this ownership and spiritual well being, and to take action appropriate to building greater trust and understanding. White participants tested their understanding and new awareness of racial issues with a group of black clergy advisor's. Then participants were encouraged to develop a project within their faith communities to raise the issue of spiritual impact in a race-based society.

Moving Forward:

Over the next three years, Mecklenburg Ministries will continue the basic “Souls of White Folks” offerings for clergy and develop a congregational version of the program for religious educators and congregational members that will help them lead discussion groups in their organizations.
In addition, those who have participated in the “Souls of White Folks” experience will be invited to take their understanding deeper by attending a retreat with fellow non-white faith leaders. During this retreat they will map out collaborative plans for moving our community forward toward greater inter-racial and inter-ethnic trust.

For more information, contact Anne VanNewkirk, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Mecklenburg Ministries at 704-374-2404

About Knight Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation invests in the vitality and quality of life of Charlotte and 25 other U.S. communities. It focuses on projects with the potential to create transformational change. For more information, visit www.knightfoundation.org