As we start Lent 2023, I’d like to share a few thoughts about the Black Wealth Builders Fund. I am aware that my co-founder, Susan Russell will also have an article in the ParishScope, and I’m hoping that hearing about it twice will catalyze a deeper reflection. Susan and I have been working diligently on this project, Susan with some very generous organizations and I with churches. Over the last two years I have experienced what many others have experienced; Donation Fatigue. My mailbox is jammed with solicitations for a great many good causes, and a few charlatan ones, as well. I made a personal decision that I would use the bulk of my personal giving to two organizations; ACC and the Black Wealth Builders Fund. I support five other organizations, but that’s it. But here we are, Susan and I are asking you as a congregation to again use the Lenten offerings to resupply the Black Wealth Builders Fund. We are asking that you consider providing additional funds for this important work. Here are two considerations that I offer you.
1. This is reparations work, and the work of reparations will take generations to complete. Not only has there been only a slight dent in the need to heal the wounds of slavery and racism, but many of the practices that have kept our Black brothers and sisters unable to afford the purchase of a home still persist today. Just this week I read an article that said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has significantly underfunded Black farmers. The death of Tyre Nichols reminds us that we still live in a country where abuse of power toward Black people is rampant.
2. We need to move away from a sense of giving out of our generosity towards a sharing of some of what white privilege has afforded so many of us. Yes, it’s tax deductible, but I don’t consider my monthly donation to the Black Wealth Builders Fund a gift, but rather a repayment. My hope is that the members of ACC will prayerfully consider making support of the Black Wealth Builders Fund a permanent project; part of who we are, not just what we do.
As some of you know, ACC has entertained the idea of becoming a sister church with McGee Avenue Baptist Church. The pandemic, as well as pastoral changes has slowed this process down, but I’d love to see us move forward with this idea. If it’s one thing I’ve learned from being a pastor, a counselor, and a affordable housing executive working with the U.S. government ---- It’s ALL about relationships.
Blessings, Barry.