This fall the Livingston Faith and Race Project has four activities underway:
- Publication of New Articles
- Faith and Race Book Club – Ongoing
- All are Welcome Here Initiative – Ongoing
- Tee Shirt Sales – Ongoing
- See below for details
If you or your organization would like to schedule an event such as a presentation of our history of race relations or a program to better understand racism or the development of a rich diverse community, email us at livfaithandrace@gmail.org
- Publication of New Articles: In the past few week media outlets have publish two versions of an article that Leo E. Hanifin wrote entitled, “Understanding how Livingston County became and remains a predominantly white community . . . and a path forward to the richness of diversity.” This article tells six true stories of people who believe that our county is not a welcoming community for People of Color and the harm those attitudes caused to individuals and organizations. This reputation not only does harm to our community but also is a significant factor in keeping diversity at very low levels here. The article then describes the value of diversity to all of us, and encourages citizens, businesses and churches to make clear statements that all are welcome here.
The Livingston Post published one longer version (~2100 words) of this article on August 29th under their title, “A Path Forward to the Richness of Diversity.”
GUEST COLUMN: A path forward to the richness of diversity – The Livingston Post.com
On September 26th, he Livingston Daily published a much shorter version (~750 words) under their title, “This Michigan county desperately needs diversity”
https://www.livingstondaily.com/story/opinion/columns/2026/09/28/livingston-county-michigan-needs-diversity-desperately-opinion/91672841007/
This shorter article was also published in eight other newspapers in Michigan that are owned by USA Today.
If you like the article, please go to the bottom of it and share it on your social media links.
2. Faith and Race Book Club
A team from our core group has created a book club where neighbors from our community can read books that deal with race relations and diversity and then share their reflections and views in small groups. We currently have 14 members who select one book to read and discuss each month. Our first two books were James, by Percival Everett and Solito, by Javier Zamora. We meet on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM.
Our next book to read is Don Lemon’s This is the Fire: what I tell my friends about racism. We will meet at 6:30 pm on October 15 to a discussion of this book led by Mary Serio, Chairperson of St. Mary Magdalen Parish’s Charity and Justice Ministry.
3. All are Welcome Here Initiative
If we value diversity and truly love and welcome all people, the first thing we should do is to SAY SO! To help businesses, churches, government offices and civic organizations to do just that, the Livingston Faith and Race Project will provide a free sign to post near their front doors.
Anyone wishing to obtain this sign can just email livfaithandrace@gmail.com and we will get a sign to you.
All are welcome at these fine businesses in our communities:
4. Wear the Message – Tee Shirt Sales – Ongoing
Wear the message of love as you move about our community to show you love and welcome all people.
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://faithraceprojectshirts.itemorder.com/