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An African-American pastor, Rev.
J. H. Flakes, Jr. of Fourth Street Missionary
Baptist Church, invited Rev. Charles Roper of
St. Thomas Episcopal Church to join him in
developing a City-wide Unity Service, and from
that invitation grew what we now know as One
Columbus. Rev. Flakes extended the invitation
in 1992. Rev. Roper replied, “Yes, I will help,
but first I want to know you as my brother.”
 The two men began eating together
periodically and before long others were
invited. Their goal was expanded. They decided
to start building bridges across racial,
economic, religious and social lines. These
meetings, bringing together people of varied
backgrounds, eventually evolved into the Valley
Interaction Ministry.
Although from differing
backgrounds, participants found some common
ground through dialogue, communication, and
association. Gathering around that common
ground, they found they could reduce the hatred,
suspicion, and distrust that had pervaded the
South for hundreds of years. They felt
themselves drawn together, with changed
attitudes and a better understanding of one
another.
From these humble but important
beginnings has come a series of meetings,
conferences, and events, and in 1999 a Race
Relations Summit, from which One Columbus was
born. Today, One Columbus stands as an example
of the progress that has been achieved in this
city and region. More importantly, One Columbus
is serving as a vehicle to take the community
forward in the pursuit of unity within the
wonderful diversity of this community.
One Columbus, Inc. is now a
501(c)(3) not-for-profit, tax-exempt
corporation. And the organization has seen
significant growth, its board bringing
organizational stability, providing direction
and leadership. The board has itself become
involved in the Bridge Building experience,
which is at the core of One Columbus’ goals and
purposes. Successful ongoing One Columbus
programs include Bridge Building activities such
as twice-monthly Race Relations Breakfasts, the
quarterly One Columbus Community Prayer
Breakfast, Study Circles, and Discussion Groups
in local neighborhoods, on college and
university campuses, in corporate boardrooms,
and other places all across the city.
One Columbus continues its
mission to continue finding common ground around
which all can gather to enhance and expand the
goodwill that exists in the region. Where
there are problems or challenges concerning
race, advocacy will be pursued for mutual
respect and improvement of race
relations--communicating, conciliating,
moderating, relating, uniting, building bridges
of tolerance, understanding, acceptance,
respect, compassion and love. The vision
of One Columbus is a united community embracing
all people and giving every citizen a way to
participate meaningfully in the activities and
decisions that comprise community life. |
