120 West Hargett Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Racial healing
Transforming individuals and communities
The Encouraging Place offers a safe place for conversation and forums around racial equity and racial healing. Our programs and events support our mission to encourage racial healing and understanding and build equity within our communities.
Can we talk?!?
Without honest conversation between the races, there is little hope for healing and moving forward. As we talk and listen, we start to tackle the barriers, heal the hurts and calm the fears that have divided us for so many years.
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A day of racial healing.
Saturday, January 13, 2024 | 8:30am-12pm
Hosted at First Baptist Church 99 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC
Join us as we co-host a local interactive conference, open to the community, for the Kellogg Foundation’s National Day of Racial Healing. This is a joint venture sponsored by the YMCA and The Encouraging Place at First Baptist Church and is an opportunity to bring all people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world. The morning will open with continental breakfast, speakers, and table talks.
Special events
Upcoming event:
An Evening with Chris Rice | November 17, 2023
Edenton Street United Methodist Church
We host occasional large open events with notable guest speakers. Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on the latest events and happenings!
FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
What is a supper club/lunch huddle?
It is a gathering of individuals who believe change is possible. We share a covered dish meal and have honest conversation once per month for the purpose of racial understanding and harmony.
What do you talk about? Do people argue?
NO! At some gatherings we have a speaker, other times we use excerpts from books, watch a DVD or use current events as a spring-board to our discussions. There is always lively discussion and people are free to disagree. The main thing is to “get it out” so that we can all hear it and help you “deal with it.”
Is this a political thing?
No, It’s the right thing to do.
How long has this been going on?
After a 1993 racial reconcilation conference, attendees asked, “We know we are to be reconciled but where do we begin?”
We gathered for a number of years using the same format as we do now. Requests for this type of fellowship caused us to revive the effort in 2015. These meetings are a way to get to know people of a different race with the freedom to talk through “hard issues” in a safe environment.
Who attends?
Whosoever will…black, white, brown, yellow, educators, clergy, working people, retirees, professionals, singles and couples — all ages, all backgrounds.
Have more questions? Email us and we’ll get back to you soon!