Let's Talk!
Changing Communities
One Conversation at a Time
Let's Talk!
Changing Communities
One Conversation at a Time
ABOUT REV. F. WILLIS JOHNSON
Prior to moving to Columbus, OH as the pastor of Living Tree Church, Rev. F. Willis Johnson served as the Senior Minister of Wellspring Church in Ferguson, Missouri, during the protests following the death of Michael Brown. He has influenced thousands through his faith-filled reflections and strategies on social justice and racial understanding.
Rev. Johnson’s writing and lecturing credits range from TIME Magazine, National Public Radio, universities, and seminaries to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History Culture. He has been adjunct faculty at Drew Theological School, Methodist Theological School of Ohio, and Eden Theological Seminary.
Rev. Johnson is the author of “Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community”, and is a sought after thought-leader who empowers individuals and communities towards—healing, justice and reconciliation. “All of us are called into acts of responsibility and community. We try to help people figure out what they can do,” Johnson said.
"HOLDING UP YOUR CORNER: TALKING ABOUT RACE IN YOUR COMMUNITY"
This book provides practical, foundational guidance, showing pastors how to live into their calling to address injustice, and how to lead others to do the same.
Holding Up Your Corner prompts readers to observe, identify and name the complex causes of violence and hatred in the reader’s particular community, including racial prejudice, entrenched poverty and exploitation, segregation, the loss of local education and employment, the ravages of addiction, and so on.
SIGN UP FOR OUR DIALOGUE GROUP
If you are interested in participating in Study Circles Aurora, by becoming a participant, an organizing volunteer or facilitator sign up today.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.
BE A PART OF THE CHANGE.
Participate in the Fall 2021 Dialogue to Change!
The following poem was written by Karen Fullett-Christensen, Aurora Poet Laureate
Tell Me Who You Are
Your hair, eyes, and skin have their own color
your body has its shape and curve
I want to know more…
I want to know what worries you
what makes you laugh
what brings you joy
what triggers tears
I want to know your recipes
I want to know what books you read
what music makes you want to dance
what mantra helps you start your day
I want to know your pipedreams
your nightmares
your secret longings
who you love, and why you do
I want more than a gut response
than the judgment forming in my mind
when we pass each other on the street
when we hear each other’s names ring out.
About Us
What is Dialogue?
Our Vision and Mission
What is Dialogue?
YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE!
The principle of dialogue in organizing, engagement, and equity work refers to intentional forms of conversation that
are used to improve mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect among the diverse individuals and groups in our communities.
While many forms of dialogue occur in-person and through “face-to-fa
YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE!
The principle of dialogue in organizing, engagement, and equity work refers to intentional forms of conversation that
are used to improve mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect among the diverse individuals and groups in our communities.
While many forms of dialogue occur in-person and through “face-to-face” interactions, telecommunication technologies have created new opportunities for engagement in safe online platforms that
will allow us to mediate dialogue among individuals and groups who may be located
anywhere in the community.
Our dialogues create a forum in which each participant is welcome and encouraged
to participate, and
in which diverse viewpoints
can be shared without fear
of social intimidation or repercussions.
The dialogues are open to
the public and any
community member
is welcome to attend,
particularly when the topics
being discussed affect
a community.
Facilitation is essential to the success of a dialogue process. Facilitators provide the conversational structure, establish ground rules, promote equitable participation,
and ensure that the process
and discussions remain on
topic, and productive,
while ensuring that participants behave respectfully toward one another, and that everyone involved feels safe,
welcomed and heard..
At the conclusion of the dialogue, participants are encouraged to reflect on
the next steps to changing
their communities, while providing
useful feedback to organizers and
facilitators on how to improve
the dialogue process going forward.
Our History
Our Vision and Mission
What is Dialogue?
YOU WILL BE OUR HISTORY!
May 2020
Study Circles Aurora founded by
Cathy Gaddis, Aurora, IL.
Following the racial incidents in Ferguson, MO, Cathy Gaddis, worked with Benedictine University's "Teach-In on Social Justice
and Race”. She recruited a diverse group
of students, from the university.
to participate in a demonstration
round table d
YOU WILL BE OUR HISTORY!
May 2020
Study Circles Aurora founded by
Cathy Gaddis, Aurora, IL.
Following the racial incidents in Ferguson, MO, Cathy Gaddis, worked with Benedictine University's "Teach-In on Social Justice
and Race”. She recruited a diverse group
of students, from the university.
to participate in a demonstration
round table dialogue group,
using the Everyday Democracy's
Dialogue to Change model.
Students told their story of different times that each of them had encountered racism and prejudice and how those encounters had impacted their lives. The session, with over 100 students in attendance, was the beginning of the work to integrate
the Dialogue to Change model into
the university's culture.
In 2019, after the third annual Teach-In was held at Benedictine University,
the university has began to explore
the creation of a for-credit course,
as a Learning Community
based on the
Every Day Democracy
Dialogue to Change process.
July 7, 2020
Dr. Vincent R. Gaddis is named
Director of Strategic Development,
Planning and Partnership Relations.
Cathy Gaddis is named
Director of Logistical Planning and Educational Training
July 23, 2020
Review for filing of 501 (3) C begun
June 2021
Study Circles Illinois becomes the
11th Anchor Partner of
Everyday Democracy
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision and Mission
YOU ARE OUR VISION AND MISSION!
Our vision is to strive to provide a platform through which our community can connect, through dialogue, regarding critical issues and with the goal of becoming a model for people of different races, ethnic groups and backgrounds to form relationships and be enabled to participate fully in our community’s e
YOU ARE OUR VISION AND MISSION!
Our vision is to strive to provide a platform through which our community can connect, through dialogue, regarding critical issues and with the goal of becoming a model for people of different races, ethnic groups and backgrounds to form relationships and be enabled to participate fully in our community’s economic, political, civic, educational and cultural future in a productive way.
Our Mission is to bring the forum of public talk to everyone in our community
and assist the community and companies to organize by bringing all kinds of people
to the table using Dialogue to Change.
By utilizing and implementing the
Every-Day Democracy.
Dialogue to Change Process
Study Circle Aurora seeks to re-vitalize the dialogue process in Aurora, IL
and our mission is to develop a model
that would contribute to racial dialogue in our community and allow the dialogue to be sustained for the next generation.
We bring people together from all backgrounds, to attend community conversations about racism and
other critical issues which may be
affecting our community.
We will facilitate and support deeper discussions on race, racism, and
racial equity by addressing
critical community issues.
We will work to engage communities in dialogue and problem solving
and provide opportunities for citizen empowerment by giving the participants
a safe place to talk about their concerns
for their communities and their desire
to find a way to move forward.
We believe that communities of every size and demographics need routine opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds to dialogue with each other
and with public officials, and to have
a voice in decision making, in order
to work together for stronger communities.
STUDY CIRCLES AURORA & Every day democracy: DIALOGUE for change PROCESS
WHAT IS EVERYDAY DEMOCRACY?
Study Circles Aurora, in partnership with Everyday Democracy is on a mission to bring people together, to lift up the voices of those who have been oppressed, and to advance the pace of progress towards justice.
We believe that we will move forward, not with the patience of those who would delay justice, but, with the persistence of those who are desperate for it.
The
SIGN UP FOR A SEAT AT THE TABLE
From dialogues on police-community relations and ending racism, to Youth Cultural Exchanges and conversations on education equity in the public school system and community colleges, the Center has been successfully building bridges of understanding throughout the community,
WITHOUT YOUR VOICE...
HOW WILL WE MOVE FORWARD?
To have effective community conversations, it is important to get as many different kinds of people involved as possible. If things are really going to change, don’t you believe that you need to be part of the dialogue?
Dialogues create opportunities for participants to collaboratively explore options, generate ideas, propose solutions, and—importa
Be A PART OF THE CHANGE
CHANGE CAN ONLY HAPPEN WHEN YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE DIALOGUE. JOIN THE CIRCLE NOW!
If you are interested in participating in Study Circles Aurora,
by becoming a participant, an organizing volunteer or facilitator all you
have to do is let us know you are interested in getting involved by clicking on the GET STARTED TODAY button below and we will contact you and talk to you about how you would like to help.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.
Our CURRENT Partners in dialogue
AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aurora Public Library is an essential partner for delivery of digital programing for Study Circles Aurora providing Zoom and Webinar capabilities for outreach to the Aurora Community and beyond.
AURORA TOWNSHIP
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aurora Township is Supporting Study Circles Aurora with numerous resources.
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Aurora Police Department is supporting Study Circles Aurora by participation, by members at all levels, in dialogue groups.
ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Elgin Police Department is supporting Study Circles Aurora by participation, by members at all levels, in dialogue groups.
Elgin Public Library
ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Elgin Public Library
Elgin Public Library is an essential partner for delivery of digital programing for Study Circles Aurora providing Zoom and Webinar capabilities for outreach to the Elgin Community and beyond.
UNIVERSITY
ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Elgin Public Library
Partner with Study Circles Aurora
Be a part of the change.
Let's see your logo here!
INVEST IN THE CHANGE
$0.00
WE ARE NOT TAKING DONATIONS AT THIS TIME.
As we move forward, we will need your help and we will be letting you know how you can contribute to the Dialogue for Change