Hello World,

As my father is a passionate advocate for racial reconciliation and we both live in the civil rights capital of the world – metro Atlanta – I have inherited that passion as well. It was the reason that in 2017 I interviewed Latasha Morrison, founder of Be the Bridge, an organization designed to “encourage racial reconciliation among all ethnicities, to promote racial unity in America, and to equip others to do the same.”

Below is an excerpt of my interview with her for the The LOOKOUT:

What inspired you to create Be the Bridge?

Latasha: We all live pretty homogenous lives. We know that 80 percent of people hang with or have friendships with people they go to church with, and if probably less than two percent of our churches in the U.S. are multiethnic or multicultural, who are we hanging out with? I’ve met people who don’t have any friends outside of their own ethnicity. When I moved from Atlanta to Austin a few years ago, it became a burden for me to see the church so racially segregated. Rather than complain about it, I wanted to look at the problem and see what we can do to change it.

Also there was one specific incident that really affected me. I had just seen the movie 12 Years a Slave and that was a story that most people haven’t heard—the slave narrative. Some white people believe slaves were happy living in the South. I had an incident in my church where I was talking to a lady about segregation and desegregation. She basically said you know what Lincoln did to the South was horrible and some of the slaves were treated like family. That was the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard in my life, and it made me angry. This was someone in church who is a seasoned Christian. It was very hurtful, but I understood she was speaking from a place of innocence in a way. She had no idea what she was saying or the injury she was causing me. She had no idea about the atrocities of slavery.

To read the rest of my interview, click on lookoutmag.com.

Two years later, Latasha is ready is to tell how the Be the Bridge ministry has grown and more in her first book “Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation.” Below is the official description about Latasha and her book.

A leading advocate for racial reconciliation offers a clarion call for Christians to move toward relationship and deeper understanding in the midst of a divisive culture.

With racial tensions as high within the church as outside the church, it is time for Christians to become the leaders in the conversation on racial reconciliation.

This power-packed guide helps readers deepen their understanding of historical factors and present realities, equipping them to participate in the ongoing dialogue and to serve as catalysts for righteousness, justice, healing, transformation, and reconciliation.

“Be the Bridge” will be released on Tuesday, but she is offering some great bonuses if you pre-order! And if you would like to read an excerpt, click waterbrookmultnomah.com.

Latasha will be hosting a book release event in Atlanta at Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History on Tuesday! Please see below for all of the details.

And Latasha’s book trailer for “Be the Bridge” is below.

Any thoughts?

The post Racial Reconciliation Advocate Latasha Morrison Releases Debut Book ‘Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation’ appeared first on After the Altar Call.

Just so you know I didn’t post on Mother’s Day because I was out of town for most of this weekend, but I LOVE my mother and check out “Alice May, It’s Your Day (Happy Mother’s Day to All Mothers)” which is one of my favorite posts about my mother…

In addition to loving my mother, I also LOVE books, and my writer friend Tia McCollors has written a new book about my favorite topic: marriage…Only in this case, it’s a troubled marriage…Presenting Friday Night Love (Days Of Grace) –

CAN LOVE HEAL WHAT INFIDELITY TRIED TO DESTROY?

Zenja Maxwell was widowed in her twenties; she never thought she’d be a divorcée, too. Yet that’s the destiny she resigns herself to after learning of her husband’s dalliance with infidelity and kicking him out of the house. She plans a cruise with her best friend, Caprice, to take her mind off Roman and celebrate moving on with her life.

But Caprice won’t let her give up that easily, especially when Roman seems committed to reconciling. She and her husband invite Zenja and Roman to Friday Night Love, a weekly event for couples. Zenja hesitates, but the promise of food and fellowship prevails. She figures she can put up with Roman for one night.

At the events, the women are issued a series of Bible-based challenges designed to help them cultivate respect for their husband. Zenja struggles at first; she isn’t even sure she wants to rekindle the relationship. But Roman is persistent in his pursuit of her, even when he finds out that she nearly cheated on him. Through tragedies, triumphs, and trusted friends, the couple learns never to underestimate the Author of marriage when husbands and wives surrender to Him.

 About the Author

Tia McCollors used to dream of being a television news anchor, but her destiny led her behind the pages instead of in front of the cameras. After earning a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from UNC-Chapel Hill, she went on to build a successful career in the public relations industry. In 1999, a job layoff prompted Tia to discover and pursue a writing career as an author. Following the birth of her son in 2006, she left the corporate arena to focus on her family and her expanding writing and speaking business.

Tia’s first novel, “A Heart of Devotion,” was an Essence Magazine bestseller. She followed her popular debut with four other inspirational novels including “Zora’s Cry,” “The Truth About Love,” “The Last Woman Standing” and “Steppin’ Into The Good Life.” In 2012, she released “If These Shoes Could Talk,” her first devotion book of The Prissy Purse Devotions series. “Friday Night Love” is Tia’s sixth novel.

Visit the author online at:  TiaMcCollors.com.

Any thoughts?

The post Friday Night Love – NEW BOOK ALERT!!! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

As an author, I love to help my author friends promote their new works! Today is the release day for Ashea S. Goldson’s new book “Scorched.” Below is a description of her latest work…

Nila still remembers the fire that claimed her husband’s life. Being a widow and single mother is hard enough but being accused of her husband’s murder still burns. Unable to complete her education in the US,  the beautiful young Nila is propelled into a life of  bar dancing back home in India. When she runs into Malcolm, a handsome, womanizing, and ambitious old acquaintance from her college days, a friendship emerges, and she is confronted with dreams that had been buried for years.

For the first time since her arranged marriage, and since the fire that changed her life, Nila is drawn into a journey of self-discovery. Forced to face their own demons, both Malcolm and Nila  are thrown into a war of good versus evil as  Nila’s mother in law is determined  to have her incarcerated for murdering her son. Not having an easy life thus far, Nila feels like she has already been in a fiery furnace, while Malcolm feels torn about jeopardizing his nearly perfect future and fortune with her problems.

Ashea S. Goldson

When a rich American runway model attempts to steal Malcolm’s heart, Nila begins to re-evaluate her relationship with Malcolm.When the heat is turned up, will Nila trust the foreign faith she has grown to know? Will Malcolm and Nila be able to overcome their conflicting cultures and ambitions to finally find real love, the kind that only comes from God?

And here is a trailer for “Scorched.”

“Scorched” is available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. For more information about Ashea S. Goldson, please go to her website!

Any thoughts?

The post New Book Alert – “Scorched” by Ashea S. Goldson appeared first on After the Altar Call.