In 2020, Be the Bridge released a resource specifically for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). This guide, We Need to Talk: A BIPOC Guide to Healing Ourselves, was created exclusively for BIPOC to center BIPOC voices in the conversation around dismantling white supremacy and the work of collective healing. Since then, our Director of Programs, Patricia Taylor, has led several online discussion groups using this guide. Karen W. from Virginia participated in our most recent discussion group. Here is her impact story:

It’s hard to put into words the impact that BTB has had on my life.

When I first heard about it I thought, “Well that sounds like a nice group but what do I need to learn, I’m a person of color I already know.”  How wrong was I? God allowed me to enter into a dark night of the soul for 4 years and connected me to some local BTB allies. Had it not been for them and their listening, praying, and supporting I honestly do not know what would have happened to me.

Once I got over the blinding anger, I dove into the guides and began to pray for God to heal my heart. The guides, posts, and comments gave words to the thoughts in my head and heart. I began to see that some white people were actually allies. I became an active member of the local group and established relationships with the admin team of our local group that has blossomed into authentic friendships.

The BIPOC care group and discussion guide gave me much needed energy that was pretty much just a flicker. I am thankful that God provided once again. I’m not sure what is in the future in this country. Civil liberty has gone by the wayside and is especially difficult here in the ole confederate capital.  I will continue to build bridges, but it’ll be outside of the institutional church.  I will not settle for token words or silence or give my God-given talents or money to any group that refuses to consistently and intentionally work towards justice for all.

Thank you for the opportunity and thank God for Latasha following God’s lead and founding Be the Bridge.

-Karen W.