Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) announces the launch of the Rev. Ernest J. Newborn, Sr. Legacy grant program. This grant program intends to provide seed funds for small racial reconciliation and anti-racism projects that address structural barriers for people of color to fully thrive in the communities where they live. Programs awarded by this program are short-term, achievable, and accountable to the communities the award will benefit. The application form and guidelines can be accessed here. Applications will be accepted beginning June 15, 2020, and ongoing through 2020.
Newborn served for 14 years as administrative director of Reconciliation Mission with a stellar fund development record and relationship-building impact. In partnership with Leon Riley and William Fox, Newborn inaugurated the Bike to Assembly fundraising program that sought to raise awareness and inspire action for poverty and racism across this life of the Church. He developed programs such as Mother-to-Mother connecting women in poverty with women of economic means as a model of economic empowerment and racial reconciliation. In honor of the legacy of Newborn and his family, we launch this program as an enduring catalyst for transformation and racial justice.