The Leader Support Groups are set up to refresh and inspire grassroots leaders from all walks of life, from every age, sex, and ethnic background. Leaders new to each other have a chance to meet heart to heart, away from office politics and the "politically-correct" expectations of their usual social circles.
Most of the people who are recommended do not think of themselves as highlighted Leaders. They're just filling some need in the community, whether it be at the level of family, job, block, school, or congregation. Single parents, teachers, pastors, students, social service workers, artists, and neighborhood leaders have been in the groups.
The once-a-month meetings do not create any new work for members. Participants simply report their hopes, progress, and next challenging steps to take for projects they already have underway. The diverse members are often delighted to discover they have more in common than they had ever imagined. Everyone becomes more clear and decisive.
"Gaining more clarity is a critical aim," says program founder and director Kevin Chestnut. "Most community leaders feel overwhelmed. They often react by becoming very protective of their time and they start limiting the variety of new information they receive. This will unintentionally support existing social divisions. Clearer leaders can stay more open-minded and not close out people who seem different."
The Leader Support Groups program has been selected by the President's Advisory Board on Race as a "Promising Practice" to improve race relations. It helps to address racism through assuring equal respect for each member's involvements, in groups chosen to reflect the racial mix of the City.
"So many leaders tell me they love learning the way the Leader Support Groups work against racism," reflects Chestnut. "In the next breath when they say 'But I don't have the time now,' they have effectively decided to continue the divisions in our community. And no one ever has 'more' time later! It's really a matter of priorities and personal decision. We will never tackle issues of race without meeting face-to-face."
The program takes an independent, self-help approach. Its support has come entirely from the participants, at whatever level they choose. For further information, to recommend someone, or to offer other support, call (314) 772-8350. The program's website is http://beam.to/LeaderSupportGroups .
"We're looking for pioneers," Chestnut says, "...people who
have vision, commitment, and who are ready to move on from the
divided ways of the past. We always have a good time!"