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[…]

By: Jess Bielman and Leroy Barber

Be on the lookout for white heroes. Trust your instincts that these leaders are not as impressive as white folks think they are. White Hero – (n) – A charismatic leader of an organization who can captivate a white audience that builds their hero worship. White heroes are usually the top leaders in industries designed[…]

By: Leroy Barber and Jess Bielman

When personal or professional relationships are mediated by a system they cannot be built upon the necessary authentic, reciprocal, and vulnerable foundations. Take the hit television show Survivor, for instance. Relationships are built within the system of the game. People may have similar backgrounds or interests, but their interactions with one another are fully guided[…]

By: Leroy Barber and Jess Bielman

  For the work with young leaders of color within the Greater Northwest Area of the United Methodist Church we have adopted the language of “leadership identification” rather than “leadership development”. This is a strategic move. Any large predominantly white institution cannot do leadership development with young leaders of color and make the necessary changes[…]

By: By Leroy Barber and Jess Bielman

In 1744, Wesley wrote, “[When I die] if I leave behind me ten pounds … you and all mankind [may] bear witness against me, that I have lived and died a thief and a robber.” This is countercultural to good sense today.  We are responsible to plan for the future, make sure we can take[…]

By: By Leroy Barber

The Innovation and Vitality team I work with is commissioned to “New People, New Places, New Leadership.”  We have defined “New People” and “New Leadership” through community, neighborhoods, young leaders, and leaders of color.  It hit me the other day that we really have not defined what “New Places” looks like. What are the new[…]

By: Leroy Barber

Let me start by saying I love baseball. I learned the game when I was young and fell in love with it because of my uncle John who would take my brothers and I to games every summer when we were kids. Veterans Stadium was magical to me. I can still remember Mike Schmidt hitting[…]

By: By Leroy Barber

By The Voices Project Interns Brian Preap and Romare Ashford Jonny Sanders Jonny is an Egyptian and Native American music producer from Northeast Portland who dishes out avant-garde celestial/psychedelic beats that will take you to another world. This talent came to know music through generations of family members in the music industry including Portland’s very[…]