The Anti-Racism Cafés is held the 15th of every month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Central). This week we will listen to Billie Wade speak on "Are Quaker Meetings Safe for Black People?" followed by a discussion.

“I am accustomed to joining communities where I am the only African-American present,” Billie Wade says. “That’s been a common thread throughout my life. Coming to Quakerism and discovering that that thread was going to continue was not a surprise… Fortunately, Des Moines Valley [Friends Meeting] has been an open, welcoming community to me. That said,” she continues, “I still feel lonely sometimes.”

Although Friends are willing to talk about unrest in places like Ukraine or Iran, Billie explains, they are often reluctant to have similar discussions about the rejection Black people experience from within the Quaker community. “I can’t be the person that brings up those conversations all the time,” she says. “It gets to a point where people see me coming and they will begin to resent that.”

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85606878660?pwd=pMdCUJ0ZjfXyAlScmAGUmEl3KNpc7P.1

Are you interested in connecting with other Friends in Illinois Yearly Meeting on anti-racism work? Then join in at the Anti-Racism Café. Each month the ILYM Racial Equity and Education Committee will provide space both for Friends who want to share ideas for anti-racist activism, and for Friends who want to focus on the inward work of becoming anti-racist. This is an opportunity to learn about the experiences of Friends in other meetings, to share resources, and to come together in worship and fellowship to build a wider Quaker community.

Anti-Racism Cafe Zoom link; Meeting ID: 827 0319 9934, Passcode: 161204.

You can also call in for a voice-only connection using the same Meeting ID/Passcode: 312-626-6799 (Chicago).