LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – First Presbyterian Church of Lansing is following through on its pledge to help repair racial injustice in the Lansing area.
Presenting the Justice League of Greater Lansing with a reparation payment, during their Sunday service, nearing their $100,000 goal.
“To have this reparative justice piece be layered on that, it’s to be commended,” said Justice League of Greater Lansing founder Willye Bryan, when asked about receiving reparations during black history month.
Bryan says the non-profit plans to offer scholarships to the community. In addition to grants that encourage home ownership
“Housing generally is how families pass on their wealth.”
And the creation of more black-owned businesses.
“Small black business owners very rarely are able to get loans from the bank and it’s difficult to operate a business if you can’t get some capital,” said Bryan.
Torri Tyler has been a member of First Presbyterian for 2 years. She says reparations are a start but bringing communities together could help when money cannot.
“It’s about bringing everyone together to see that this is something we need to change. Reparations can be in the form of money; it can be in the form of time and effort. It can be, ya know, so much more, it’s multifaceted, it’s ever-changing, it’s evolving,” said Taylor.
Prince-Jerold Solace of the Justice League says the money doesn’t make up for the impact of slavery but sets the example that change is possible.
“Choosing to play in the arena of truly repairing the breach that’s caused so much damage in the African American community. So, I encourage people to play in this arena and know that it’s possible,” said Solace.
The Justice of Greater Lansing says during the spring the non-profit will push out a portal for community members to apply to receive funds that the non-profit received through the reparation process.
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