Crossroads Church in Cincinnati Launched Racial Equity Program to Support Universal Preschool Initiative (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, the nation’s third-largest church, has demonstrated a unique approach to racial equity by fostering a program designed and led by its own congregants. This initiative, called Undivided, brought together Black and white members to engage in meaningful dialogue and action around racial justice. The program was not imposed by external forces but emerged organically from the community’s commitment to addressing systemic disparities.

The initiative gained momentum during a 2016 municipal ballot effort aimed at raising taxes to fund universal preschool with targeted support for Cincinnati’s poorest Black communities. In an election marked by division, Undivided volunteers played a pivotal role in the initiative’s success. Their efforts highlighted the power of grassroots engagement in advancing social change.

The Undivided program included a six-week curriculum covering topics such as implicit bias, the history of structural disparities, empathy, and other elements common to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. While these topics are not uncommon in such programs, the unique aspect of Undivided was its focus on direct, communal engagement rather than top-down solutions.

This approach reflects a broader lesson for philanthropy: sustainable change often requires a committed public rather than reliance on policy or institutional reforms alone. The experience of Crossroads Church underscores the importance of fostering internal motivation and collective responsibility in addressing complex societal issues.

The church’s initiative also illustrates the potential for faith-based communities to lead in social justice efforts. By creating spaces for open dialogue and shared action, Crossroads Church exemplifies a model of engagement that prioritizes community-driven solutions over external imposition. This model offers valuable insights for those seeking to address racial inequity in meaningful and lasting ways.

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