By: Leroy Barber & Jess Bielman

Since election Tuesday, we have heard a lot of rhetoric about people of color, Black people, and Black women delivering the election for Biden-Harris.  Looking back on this election will show that the events of November 6th was the second time black voters pushed the country in Biden’s direction. The first was the lead-up to[…]

By: Leroy Barber & Jess Bielman

In the era of Trump, social and political maladies that were once said and done behind closed doors are now open for all to see.  The subtext is now the text.  Voter suppression is one of many of these maladies.  It is clearly working hand in hand with its partner gerrymandering to suppress the votes[…]

By: Leroy Barber

Throughout the history of movements inspired by Jesus, there are complicated theologies and philosophies around civic engagement, participation in government, voting, etc. In some eras, the church has found itself a tool of the state. During other eras, faithful Christians found solace in prophetic disengagement. The believing community has always had to faithfully navigate their[…]

By: Leroy Barber

Recently, I jumped off of a four-story cliff… and lived to tell the story. It has been a dream of mine since I was in my 20’s to cliff jump into a body of water. On a recent trip, I finally had the opportunity. It was terrifying and exhilarating, and I was unprepared even after[…]

By: Leroy Barber and Jess Bielman

Baseball has never been more of America’s pastime than right now. Not because it provides entertainment value in a time that needs it. Not because the intrigue of a game can transcend any moment.  Not because is it pulling the US together like post-9/11. Baseball has never been more of America’s pastime than right now[…]

By: Leroy Barber

While the world is protesting Black Lives Matter, I have had my own Amy Cooper experience on my block. A neighbor threatened to call the police on my family because of the music we play.  The experience has underscored the lack of awareness around what racism is, and specifically what constitutes anti-blackness. My neighbor decries[…]

By: Leroy Barber

James Baldwin said, “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all of the time.” Though I try to temper and channel that rage, sometimes it is impossible to keep in. The events of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Christian Cooper, and the Covid-19 virus[…]

By: By Leroy Barber

I like many others was stunned on Sunday morning January 26th when I heard the news that Kobe Bryant his daughter and 7 other people were killed in a helicopter crash. I am a huge sports fan and the name Kobe Bryant was extremely familiar although even those who are not sports fans were also[…]

By: Leroy Barber & Jess Bielman

In working together on church, justice, and cultural work, Jess and I (Leroy) have had many conversations in airports and walks as we travel and do conferences.  I asked him to write a letter specifically to his demographic of middle-aged white men about their work in these spaces.  Here is our blog: Dear Middle-Aged White[…]

By: By Leroy Barber

For leaders of color, as you grow in leadership you will be asked to speak at and into white initiates in the form of conferences, article contributions, or “conversations”.  As you do, there are plenty of problematic dynamics to identify. These are unique moments of pressure to join in and tell the stories of your[…]