A Pictorial Essay & History of Racial Equity Buddies
A Pictorial Essay & History of Racial Equity Buddies
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In the fall of 2019, Racial Equity Buddies (“REB”) came into existence following a 2018 presentation at Forest Hill Presbyterian (FHC) by Dr. Mark Joseph.* Racial Equity Buddies is a unique theoretical approach to reducing/eliminating racism; both individual and institutional. Initially, our base and focus focus was Forest Hill Church. However, since our founding Racial Equity Buddies has grown far beyond the walls of FHC into the greater Cleveland community. We are now recognized as a diverse and growing grassroots anti-racist organization that takes a holistic approach ( community forums, cultural programs, movies, a buddy partner, fellowship events, movies, and the like) to eliminate racism and promote equity. We advocate, inform, and work cooperatively with other anti-racist organizations and groups. Below are pictures of some buddy relationships and our organizing efforts.
Following are some pictures that capture the work we do. We recognize that much more remains to be done. We embrace the challenge and welcome friends, allies, and co-conspirators to join us in the human rights struggles of the day.
You are invited to join us on our equity anti-racist journey.
Present Steering Committee
Present Steering Committee
L-R: Barry Stees, Destinee Burse, Mark Joseph, Rayba Johnson, Ruth Twadell, Kathy Flora, Cynthia Lehman & Quentin Smith
Dr. Mark Joseph
Dr. Mark Joseph
Mark Joseph, Mark is the Leona Bevis and Marguerite Haynam Associate Professor of Community Development at the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University and the Founding Director of the National Initiative on Mixed-Income Communities.
Original Steering Committee Fall 2019
Original Steering Committee Fall 2019
The Original Steering Committee, left to right: Vikki Novak, Chiq Montgomery, Lisa Vahey, Quentin Smith, Kermit Lind, and Elizabeth Shaw.
Greg White performing the play Thurgood at Forest Hill Church (FHC) in January2024.
Robin Pease of Native American ancestry performs at FHC in April 2024. This live performance came from our reading/discussion of the book below.
Musical play Mahalia and King at Disciples Church, April 2024. Cynthia Lehman talks about REB, far right Leonard DiCosimo of the North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor. Meryl Johnson and Ron Davis are also in the frame.
REB with the director & actors of the play The Island about the infamous apartheid prison Robben Island in South Africa.
Equity Buddies Teaming With Labor To Successfully Defeat Issue1
With Fiona Davis (younger sister of Angela) at a Restorative Justice Conference
In solidarity with Community Church of Chesterland, after it was firebombed due to its unwavering support for LBGTQ+ rights and all human rights struggles.
Building Safer Communities For All
Dec. 2, held at Disciples Church, Cleveland Heights
Left morning panel: Rev. Heidi Barham
, Latony Goldsby, BLM, and Art McKoy of Black on Black Crime Inc. speaking.
Right PM panel: Ethan Khorona of ...speaking, Kareem Henton of the Jail Coalition and Barry Stees of SURRJ and the Social Justice Advocacy Ministry of Federated Church
Jan 2020 REB visited the exhibit 'Undesign The Redline' that addressed governmental role (local, state and federal) in creating and reinforcing housing segregation. Cleveland and its surrounding communities were focal points of the exhibit. Some learned more than others, but we all learned something!
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