About
Paul S. Bracy, Founder
Welcome
Welcome to the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation. We believe there are many people across the United States who would like to see racism and other forms of human oppression eradicated. However, they do not know where to start, if their voice will make a difference, and who will support them when they speak out. Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” The Dock C. Bracy Center is here to help you understand and embody, on a deep level, the changes needed to become truly anti-racist. Perhaps you have heard the saying “We got your back” -- we want you to know we have your back, if you choose, because none of us can do it alone.
Dock C. Bracy Center – What’s in a Name?
Dock C. Bracy (June 11, 1859 – December 19, 1953) was born on a Georgia plantation to an enslaved mother and the plantation’s white enslaver, who did not acknowledge him. Dock rose from these cruel beginnings, learning to read and write at age 12. As a young adult with determination, vision, and faith in himself, he attended seminary school and became a circuit preacher/leader in Georgia. Some churches he created are still active today. His leadership, integrity, love of family, and service to his community are qualities worth emulating. His work and leadership are acknowledged in the 1917 History of The American Negro and His Institutions, Georgia Edition, edited by A.B. Caldwell. Archived at Harvard College Library, Cambridge Massachusetts.
Who We Are
We are your friends, family, neighbors, from across the country, who are committed to eradicating human oppression. After many years of anti-racist endeavors in different contexts, we came to understand that something was missing from our approach. The Dock C. Bracy Center was created to help fill this void by providing opportunities for personal reflection, learning and dialogue.
What We Do
The Center uses a problem-solving approach to eradicating human oppression with a primary focus on racism. We create safe learning environments for participants to have honest conversations about the complexity of racism, its impact on themselves, their families, and the broader community. We help individuals explore and develop strategies to eradicate racism and offer ongoing educational support as they encounter obstacles on their anti-racist journeys.
The Center views learning as a lifetime endeavor and a requirement to develop strategic actions to remove the obstacles to human reconciliation. Therefore, the Center’s thrust is individual/ group learning sessions leading to creative strategic actions that will in time eradicate racism from their community and our country.
How We Are Funded
The Center believes that people should not have to pay to learn what is needed to eradicate racism and other forms of human oppression from their community.
We receive funding in 3 ways:
-
Gifting: Attendees are asked for a suggested donation of $100 through event registration or by website. There is no financial obligation but if someone wishes to make a financial gift, they are welcome to give whatever they choose. A critical aspect of eradicating human oppression is supporting one another to achieve reconciliation. Gifting allows people the opportunity immediately to create ACCESS for others and is an act of kindness.
-
Grants. The Center seeks grants to build and expand our capacity to serve communities across the country.
-
Endowment for long-term funding. Long term stable funding is critical to achieving our shared vision. Our board is committed to developing an endowment that will provide stable funding.
Leadership
The Center’s leadership team is made up of a diverse, skilled, and talented group of people. Their voluntary commitment to building this organization is testament to their sharing in the Center’s vision of human reconciliation.
Our leadership style is that of servant. A Servant Leader shares power, puts the needs of team members first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.
As Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher in the 5th century BC, asserted, when the best leaders finish their work, their people would say, “we did it ourselves.”