Understanding differences; Acting on commonalities


   

SFCG on Race

CT Vivian CCR Oakland

Civil Rights leader Reverend C.T. Vivian (center) and Rep. Barbara Lee (R) with local leaders in Oakland, CA.

Search for Common Ground is building a national program addressing racial healing and reconciliation in the United States. With seed funding from the Kellogg Foundation and the Fetzer Institute, SFCG and the Faith & Politics Institute (FPI) conducted wide-ranging research, including interviews with over 60 experts and a comprehensive survey of racial justice and equity organizations nationwide. In July 2009, SFCG and FPI convened 30 key leaders for a three-day Working Group to address the question, "What would it take to heal the wounds of racism in the U.S.?" SFCG took the group's recommendations, matched them with SFCG's mission and expertise, and created Search for Common Ground on Race.

SFCG on Race aims to heal racism in the United States at interpersonal and institutional levels. Using a common ground approach, we create opportunities for a wide range of people to work together, across dividing lines, in a collaborative and constructive way. While the focus is race, our approach depends on participation from people of different backgrounds, classes, age groups and genders.

Objectives

  • Build the capacity of stakeholders to address the consequences of racism at an institutional, cultural, and/or interpersonal level.

  • Increase healing and reconciliation among stakeholders.

  • Create a constructive discourse about race in the United States.

Congressional Conversations on Race

Dr. Dorothy Cotton

One initiative that resulted from the working group is the creation of Congressional Conversations on Race (CCR) a program of The Faith & Politics Institute and Search for Common Ground that provides support to Members of Congress to constructively address race-related challenges in their districts.

The inaugural Congressional Conversation on Race was held in Oakland, California with Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Community and Civil Rights Leaders like Dr. Dorothy Cotton (pictured) took part in the collaborative process. Learn More.

In April of 2012, Congressional Conversations on Race held two days of meetings with city leaders and constituents in New Orleans, co-hosted by Congressman Cedric Richmond. Learn More.

In September of 2012, Congressional Conversations on Race held a meeting in Saint Louis, converned with Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay. Learn More.