History of the Livingston Faith and Race Project
The Faith and Race Project (FRP) is a coalition of people from different faith traditions who hope, pray and act together to promote love, respect and inclusion of people of all races in our community. FRP activities aim to increase understanding of and opposition to all forms of racism and to promote respect for people of all races by strengthening systems of equality, equity, and opportunity in Livingston County.
Our group began on October 8, 2023, when 17 people of faith from Livingston County walked together on at Focus: HOPE walk for justice in Detroit. Our banner identified us as “People of Faith of Livingston County, United in Love for All People.”
As we walked, we decided to form a group to continue this work.
At the same time the Livingston Diversity Council (LDC) was exploring the creation of a similar group. Through our collaboration, in early 2024, the Faith and Race Working Group was created within the LDC”s Faith and Social Justice Network. Members and leaders from a dozen churches together prioritized and created activities to increase the understanding of race and racism, and to demonstrate the growing support for diversity in our community.
Sept. 19 – Nov. 21 2024- Faith and Racial Healing Program: This 9-week program of prayer and discernment, created by Just Faith (https://justfaith.org/courses/faith-and-racial-healing-embracing-truth-justice-and-restoration/), was hosted at the Brighton First United Methodist Church. The nine participants were members and pastors from Baptist, Catholic, Ecumenical Christian, United Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 – Immersion Experience: This day in Detroit started with a guided tour of the Wright Museum of African American History’s “And We Still Rise” exhibit, with a special focus on faith.
A luncheon and a Conversation on Race with racially mixed Christians from Detroit was then held at Gesu Catholic Church. That conversation was led by Dr. Irene Lietz and Rev. Louis Forsythe, who have led such conversations for over six years. https://www.conversationsonrace.org
Dr. Irene Lietz guides the discussion.
Speaking Out Against Injustice
Two members of the Faith and Race Project carried our banner in Howell to demonstrate against white supremacy in 2024.
Lectures on The History of Race Relations in Livingston County: These presentations by Dr. Leo Hanifin summarized many interesting and surprising bits of this history that are detailed in his book, A Brief History of Race Relations in Livingston County, MI (2022). He also provides some personal reflections on the significance of this history to our current and future community and ways in which related developments in America and southeast Michigan influenced our county. Since writing this book, he has made presentations at the Brighton, Pinckney, Hamburg and Howell Libraries, CUUB Church, Howell High School, the Howell Rotary Club, the Livingston Democratic Party, Cleary University and the Livingston County Human Services Collaborative Body.
Walking in Unity at the Brighton July 4th Parade 2025: Members and friends of the Faith and Race Project walked together to change the narrative about Livingston County and be part of a positive transformation into a more welcoming and inclusive community.
Many walkers wore shirts that conveyed that message.
You can buy Faith and Race Project tee shirts from the Spirit of Livingston Store in Howell. Click here to see images and options and to order: https://www.storessimple.com/spiritoflivingston/35500
Bridges Book Club: Between April and July of 2025 members and friends of the Faith and Race Project read and discussed popular books on race and racism including The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin and I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown.
FRP Spins Off: In July 2025, the Faith and Race Project separated from the Livingston Diversity Council (LDC). Going forward, the Faith and Race Project focuses wholly on diversity, race relations and racism informed and guided by the related teachings and beliefs of our churches. We believe that this nexus of faith and race can motivate our community to become more welcoming and just for all.
The Project is guided by a core group that discusses and develops initiatives and activities to advance the mission of our organization.
- If you would like to be part of our core group please email your desire to faithandrace@gmail.com.
- If you would like to be invited to upcoming activities, please provide your contact information at faithandrace@gmail.com.
Conversations on Race: The Faith and Race Project was instrumental in bringing Conversations on Race (ConR) to the Pinckney Library in October 2025. Four facilitators from Detroit led 16 county residents in four weekly sessions that included viewing videos and in-depth discussions of their life experiences regarding race and racism.