In 2015, our founder Latasha Morrison gathered a diverse group of Christian friends to process the current state of race and racism in America. They committed to meeting regularly to listen to and learn from one another.
Between meetings, they looked to scripture to see what the Bible had to say and they educated themselves about our country’s racial history.
That’s how Be the Bridge was born: from authentic, God-centered relationships and conversations between people committed to loving their neighbor by pursuing racial healing, equity and reconciliation.
Building Bridges
Discussion Guide 3.0
The Building Bridges Discussion Guide is designed to lead a multi-racial group of 6-12 people through a 10-session study on the key steps in the racial reconciliation process. The Leader’s Guide & Kit provides helpful suggestions about group selection and structure, shepherding a group through difficult topics, preparation for group times, and additional background information on each topic.
How to Get Your Group Started:
Be Intentional
This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. It’s not about how quickly a group can get off the ground but about making intentional decisions that move you and those in your circle of influence toward racial justice and reconciliation.
Gather Friends
The Building Bridges Discussion Guide 3.0 is designed to be used by a multi-racial group of 6-12 individuals. Find those with a heart for racial reconciliation to start a new group.
Get our Guides
The Building Bridges guide is a 10-session study on the key steps in the racial reconciliation process: Awareness, Acknowledgement and Lament, Guilt and Shame, Confession, Forgiveness, Repentance, Reparation, Restoration, and Reproduction.
Start Meeting
Register your group and start meeting for 10 sessions over 9-12 months. Each session builds on the next, so it’s important to gather people who are committed to growth. We recommend that groups be co-led by a white person and a person of color.
Our Leader’s Guide will walk you through the process of leading each session.
There is also a Facebook group just for leaders to ask questions and get advice from other leaders.
Local Be the Bridge groups are the heart and soul of our organization.
All over the country, there are hundreds of groups meeting in living rooms, churches, college campuses and coffee shops to engage in thoughtful conversations around race.
Want to find a local group? Join our Facebook group to connect with bridge-builders in your area.
Alternatives to Groups
Not ready for a group yet? Here are some other ways to start your bridge-building journey.
Be Intentional
If you realize the issue is not having enough people in your life who are interested or who are a different race than you, spend the next year being intentional about investing in, creating, growing, or solidifying those cross-racial friendships. This may mean making some changes in your life to make sure you have a chance to cross paths with a broader range of people.
Bridge-Builder Stories
Meet the bridge-builders who bring our mission to life.