E2M is a peacebuilding initiative that provides substantive steps towards creating equity in memory and memorials of enslaved African American burial grounds in the city of Charlotte and beyond. E2M was conceived out of Dr Julia Moore’s second book project that investigates the complexities of Black and White race relations through the context of the Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC. While reflecting on the history of Charlotte’s and the greater South’s racial past, E2M is committed to respect and affirm everyone’s common humanity. The E2M initiative promotes sustainability by helping to strengthen race relations within the Charlotte community and beyond.
As part of the E2M Initiative, Moore Grace Ministries is responsible for project managing the partnerships between UNC Charlotte and its students, Churches, Vendors and Artists. Also, MGM facilitates Leader Advocacy and Memorialization Sessions for participating churches. During the sessions churches are introduced to tools to help them receive the capacity to do the memorialization work while navigating any racial tensions and/or race related trauma. The basic categories of focus are:
- Forgiveness
- Identity in Christ
- Engaging Jesus
- Brain Science
- Choosing Connection
The WHY behind Moore Grace Ministries’ involvement with E2M:
- Every person is born in God’s image and likeness.
- God’s design was for all ethnos to live in community.
- Because we are children of God, we know humanity needs to have a relationship with Jesus Christ to live out God’s call for love, equity and unity.
- Choices that were made in the past that yielded slavery, segregation and injustice for the formerly enslaved persons are not forgotten.
- Because we are children of God, we make compassionate choices as we value the equality of all people.
- E2M is a testament of God’s love for humanity and His unwavering passion to not leave us alone to the limits we impose on ourselves.
- Because we are children of God, we love well, we honor the forgotten, and we esteem the least as we bring equity in memory and memorial to those who were formerly enslaved. Foundational Scriptures: Genesis 1:26-28, John 17:20-23, Galatians 3:27-29, Philemon v15-19
Practical Outcomes that are realized from the MGM sessions include:
- Learning how to keep Christ at the center of the conversation and following Holy Spirit throughout the process
- Learning how to navigate the genealogical and organizational history while staying in peace
- Staying connected with God and each other when faced with emotional triggers
- Vision casting for memorialization artifacts
- Joint Declaration of Hope from participating churches
- Preservation and Community Engagement Planning for the Memorialization Site
