At Coming Together Virginia, we believe healing starts with truth. And truth begins with language. The written and spoken word—whether in a poem, a speech, a journal entry, or a shared story around the dinner table—has the power to pierce silence, confront denial, and build bridges across the divides of race and history. 

As we gather this Juneteenth, let us honor not just the emancipation of bodies, but the liberation of minds and hearts. Let us uplift the storytellers, past and present, who dare to speak what is often left unsaid. And let us remember that our words matter. They shape culture, inspire change, and remind us that “liberty and justice for all” is a goal still worth striving for. This month at our tables (or on the floor of Congress), may we write, speak, and listen with courage. Because the truth, told together, is what sets us free. ​

Imagine this: Jesus comes to dinner. Not just in spirit but literally walks through the door and sits down at your table. Who's already there? What stories are being shared? Who’s missing? And what would Jesus say about the systems we’ve built, especially those cloaked in religion? 

Now imagine Martin Luther King, Jr. joining the dinner table, too. What would he say? 

I've been wrestling with these questions for months as Coming Together Virginia (CTVA) explores the intersection of race and Christianity. I’ll admit, I’m not a faithful churchgoer. But it strikes me that many sacred spaces now reflect the brokenness of the world, rather than the radical hospitality and the urgent call to action that the Gospel demands. Too often, those gathered around the table are comfortable, familiar. There’s nothing wrong with comfort until it separates us from our calling as people of faith. And when that comfort comes at a cost to others, we must ask: Are we living the way Jesus taught? Would Martin recognize our commitment to justice or question it?

Jesus and Martin: Party of One When Jesus came to dinner in Scripture, it was never business as usual. He disrupted norms. He challenged power. He dined with those the religious elite rejected. Martin operated similarly. I believe that same spirit calls to us today: to recognize how we've distorted the Gospel, to repair our broken witness, and to rebuild tables where healing and renewed relationships are not optional but essential. (Newsflash: many of my friends on other spiritual paths already understand this and they’re waiting for Christ-followers to catch up.)

This journey of truth-telling requires us to boldly name the ways American Christianity has upheld racial hierarchies from the founding of this country through the Civil Rights Movement and into today. In his Letter from a Birmingham Jail*, Martin challenged Christians to see themselves clearly. That challenge still stands. We must examine how we have perpetuated cultures of supremacy and how we can instead cultivate communities where everyone, especially people of color, feels seen, valued, and safe. 

Hard to Digest For me, and for many Christians of color, this work isn’t theoretical. It’s deeply personal. The last election cycle exposed wounds long hidden. The silence, or worse, the complicity of many white churches left us wondering, “Does my pain matter here at all?” Has anything changed since Martin called out the Christians of Birmingham?* When white congregations choose to show up, listen deeply, and then act, they begin to repair what is broken. They begin to make room at the table. Let’s be clear: This isn’t about fixing "those people over there." It’s about repairing what's broken in us and living out a faith that transforms everyone it touches.

Check, please! So what happens when Jesus and Martin come to dinner? My guess? They put everyone in check no matter who we are or how we worship. They call us to love radically, speak truth boldly, act courageously and make room joyfully. They remind us that justice isn't a political agenda; it’s a kingdom mandate. It’s time to set the table with humility. To pull up more chairs. To welcome all of us, each of us, and all of each of us. And to make sure no one leaves hungry, for dignity, for truth, for love. And then to pass that feast on to others, through bold, faithful action. 

Join us for our 3rd Tuesday Dinner Gathering on May 20th as we try to set the kind of table Jesus and Martin would want to join - wide open, justice-centered, action-oriented and full of grace. Bring your family. Bring your friends. People of all faith traditions and those with none are welcome for this important conversation. We’ll make room for everyone. 

​Come hungry. Leave full. Here is an appetizer: https://www.csuchico.edu/iege/_assets/documents/susi-letter-from-birmingham-jail.pdf

​Martin Luther King Jr., Why We Can’t Wait, 1964

​In this politically charged time we will remember where we stood and who we stood with. We will recall the tensions, the reckonings, the uncomfortable truths that refused to be ignored. And we will know, without question, that this was the moment when “normal” ended—when we could no longer pretend that justice and equity were inevitable.

So, the question before us is simple:
What will we do to ensure that the movement continues? 

At Coming Together Virginia we believe that the table is our promised land - a place where truth is not silenced, and history is neither rewritten nor weaponized - a place where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not mere buzzwords but are sacred commitments. This is our mountaintop moment. Your moment.

We do not need a king to chart our future. We must all be kings - and queens - of justice, fairness, kindness, and truth. The work of building a just nation does not rest on one leader’s shoulders. It belongs to us all.

Where are our better angels? I say they are here. In you. In me. In us. Now, let’s move. 

Okay class, listen up. Today’s lesson explores the common misconceptions about three letters in the alphabet that swung (or perhaps hung) our recent election. . . what exactly is DEI? Here is a basic definition: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a corporate or academic initiative—it is a framework for creating spaces where all people have access to opportunities, fair treatment, and a sense of belonging. At its core, DEI is about acknowledging systemic barriers, addressing inequities, and fostering environments where differences are not just tolerated but valued. But there are many who see it as something very different.

​I don’t think inclusion can make us stupid but despite its positive intentions, DEI has become a political hot-button issue like no other. Some folks have framed it as a divisive agenda, arguing that it fosters exclusion rather than inclusion. Misinformation has led to the misconception that DEI promotes favoritism or diminishes meritocracy. In its purest intent, DEI ensures historically marginalized groups are not left behind. It’s an opportunity for racially, economically and regionally marginalized people to share their lived experiences 

​Whether you are a black student at a predominantly white university or a white student at a predominantly black university, you have not only been exposed but submerged into a different subculture that can be both taxing and rewarding. This also applies to the workplace. Integrating anything can be difficult. Being a minority in the midst of an historically privileged majority is challenging to say the least. And that minority status can be defined by race, gender, ethnicity, economics, disabilities, region or many other factors. Regardless, the literal overcoming can feel overwhelming. Inclusion is earned, not granted.

Rather than allowing DEI to be weaponized as a political wedge, let’s choose to reclaim its true purpose. In September 1965, President Lyndon Johnson issued Executive Order 11246 which required government employers to "hire without regard to race, religion and national origin" and "take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race. This proclamation opened doors for many but did it also make life more difficult for people on the other side of the color line?

​Coming Together Virginia embraces policies that support the creation of a racially healed world, but after three generations of mandates, has DEI run its course? Join us for our 3rd Tuesday Dinner Gathering on March 18th, as we engage in this important conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion - who really benefits and who doesn’t.

A message from our Coming Together Virginia Executive Director, Danita Rountree Green

As we step into a new year, Coming Together Virginia invites you to embark on a journey of authenticity, courage, and connection. This new year offers a fresh start: an opportunity to begin again, to live boldly in alignment with our values, and to create a more inclusive, loving world.

We are pushing the refresh button and renewing our commitment in 2025!
Consider growing and learning with us. Our mission is to build bridges across divides, heal generational wounds, and foster thriving, equitable communities. We believe that true transformation begins when individuals commit to being their most authentic selves, embracing their unique stories, values, and potential.

We are not starting over; we are starting better!
​This year, we challenge you to be fearless in your relationships. Reach across divides, whether racial, cultural, or ideological, and forge new connections. Authenticity starts with vulnerability, sharing your story and listening deeply to others. These courageous conversations lay the groundwork for understanding, healing, and growth.

Hey world changer, you are our inspiration!
Encourage your family and friends to live their values unapologetically. In a world that often prioritizes convenience over integrity, being true to ourselves is a revolutionary act. Stand firm in kindness, justice, and inclusion, inspiring those around you to do the same.

Equally important is showing compassion to yourself.
Be kinder and more loving to who you are today while holding space for the person you want to become. Self-care and self-love are not indulgent; they are necessary for sustainable growth and meaningful impact.

Let 2025 be the year we choose inclusion over division and courage over fear. Together, we can create communities where authenticity thrives, relationships deepen, and everyone feels seen and valued.

At Coming Together Virginia we believe in the power of beginning again. Will you join us? Let’s make this year one of transformation, connection, and love for ourselves, for others, and for the future we are building together. Let’s begin again, embracing authenticity and inclusion in 2025.