Central Texas Collective for Racial Equity

10/13/2025

Dear Community Members,

Five years ago, many of us came together during one of the most turbulent and transformative moments in Austin’s history. From that shared urgency, we built the Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities—work that ultimately evolved into the Central Texas Collective for Racial Equity (CTCRE). Together, we dared to imagine a beloved community built not just on awareness, but on accountability, healing, and belonging.

Today, we are writing to you as we enter a new and inspiring chapter of that journey.

Reclaiming Our Purpose

The world around us has changed dramatically. As our communities continue to grapple with division, misinformation, and fatigue, we remain committed to the same truth that brought us together: belonging is the antidote to bigotry.

That belief grounds our latest initiative—We Fund Belonging, Not Bigotry (https://givebutter.com/wefundbelonging-notbigotry)—a community-powered campaign to invest in hope, connection, and trust. Instead of allowing hate and fear to define our public discourse, we are turning that energy into collective action and innovation.

Through this campaign, we are inviting individuals, organizations, and institutions to fund what brings us together, ensuring that the work of inclusion and healing has sustainable support across Central Texas and beyond.

Tools for Connection: The Djembe App

To make this vision real, CTCRE has partnered to develop the Djembe app, a digital tool designed to help nonprofits, educators, and community organizations cultivate meaningful dialogue, trust, and collaboration.

Inspired by the original Djembe card deck, this new platform will include:

Interactive reflection tools for community and classroom conversations

Facilitator guides and training modules for team development

Trust-building frameworks rooted in the Listening for Belonging model

Data and evaluation tools that help organizations track their growth and social impact

By combining cultural wisdom with modern design, the Djembe app will serve as a bridge—connecting people across difference, fostering empathy, and nurturing environments where every voice is heard.

Building the Future Together

This new phase is about partnership. As we continue to develop these tools, we are actively:

Engaging with educators and nonprofit leaders to pilot Djembe experiences,

Launching small-group listening sessions to ensure community alignment, and

Building a diverse coalition of donors and allies who believe in the power of belonging.

We invite you to stand with us once again—to fund belonging, to invest in connection, and to recommit to the vision of a beloved community that bends toward justice.

In Closing

As we reflect on the work ahead, we are reminded that justice, like community, is a living practice. It requires constant tending, honest reflection, and courageous imagination.

Let us continue to be those who listen for belonging—who build bridges even when it’s hard, who lead with love even when it’s unpopular, and who believe, still, that transformation begins with us.

Together, we can turn this vision into movement.

With gratitude and renewed commitment,

The CTCRE Team
Central Texas Collective for Racial Equity
www.ctcracialequity.org

Support the Djembe app—a community-driven platform rooted in African tradition, using interactive dialogue to build trust, empathy, and healing. Help us create tech that bridges divides and brings people together.

10/21/2024

oin Amplify Credit Union for an insightful morning discussion with leaders from the Greater Austin Black, Hispanic, LGBT, and US India Chambers of Commerce. Each leader will describe the trends they are seeing among the diverse base of customers and employees they interact with every day.

Moderated by Angela Shaw, senior vice president of talent for Amplify Credit Union, this event is specifically designed for business owners and executives in Central Texas. The discussion will provide participants with valuable strategies for navigating current challenges and preparing for future business opportunities. RSVP below:

Join Amplify Credit Union for a morning discussion on the trends shaping Austin’s diverse customers and employees.

09/24/2024

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

Mark your calendars for October 15 because the Greater Austin Black Chamber (GABC) Business Awards Luncheon is coming, and it's going to be a celebration like no other! 🎉✨

Join us as we honor the trailblazers, innovators, and game-changers in our community who are making waves in business and beyond. 🌊🏆 Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just love supporting local excellence, this event is for YOU! 🙌

Here’s why you don’t want to miss it:
- Inspiring Success Stories 📈
- Amazing Networking Opportunities 🤝
- Incredible Food (Because who doesn’t love a great lunch?) 🍽️
- Recognition of Austin’s Brightest Business Stars 🌟

Let’s celebrate Black excellence, innovation, and community together! See you there!

🔗 Register now and let’s make October 15 one to remember! 💼🎉

11:30AM | Please join us as we celebrate our 42nd Annual Business Awards Luncheon. While many accomplishments have been garnered from our 1st member inking an $11 Million dollar deal from their hard work and attendance of a GABC private casting call to help close that deal and receive national expo...

01/18/2024

Unraveling Truths: The Uvalde Report and the Power of Wokeness

In recent times, the concept of "wokeness" has become a central theme in our collective conversations about social justice, equality, and accountability. A poignant example of this can be found in the Uvalde Report, a compelling illustration of how embracing wokeness deepens our understanding of events, fosters transparency, and fuels actionable change. This report, born out of tragedy, serves as a stark reminder that acknowledging uncomfortable truths is a crucial step towards building a safer, more equitable world.

Deepening Our Understanding: The Uvalde Report stands as a testament to the power of critical self-awareness and an unyielding commitment to truth. In delving into the events that transpired, it goes beyond mere acknowledgment, aiming to understand the systemic factors and individual choices that led to the tragedy. This depth of understanding is foundational to dismantling ingrained biases and rectifying flaws in our systems.

Transparency as a Catalyst for Change: Transparency is the cornerstone of accountability, and the Uvalde Report exemplifies this principle. By openly addressing the events and their underlying causes, the report invites the public into a space of shared knowledge. This transparency is not just about revealing shortcomings but is a bold statement that signals a commitment to learning from the past and fostering a culture of openness.

Actionable Change: Wokeness is not merely about awareness; it demands tangible action. The Uvalde Report goes beyond being a documentation of past events; it is a blueprint for change. By outlining specific actions, recommendations, and safeguards, it sets the stage for a proactive response. This commitment to change is a manifestation of wokeness in action, ensuring that the lessons learned are not in vain.

Preventing Future Loss of Life: Perhaps the most critical aspect of the Uvalde Report is its focus on preventing future tragedies. Wokeness, in this context, means recognizing the systemic failures that contributed to the loss of life and implementing safeguards to protect against such outcomes in the future. By doing so, it acknowledges the value of every life and the responsibility we collectively bear to protect one another.

The Uvalde Report serves as an inspiring example of how wokeness, far from being a divisive or empty buzzword, can be a catalyst for positive change. It teaches us that understanding the complexities of our world, embracing transparency, and taking decisive action are not just virtues but obligations. As we reflect on the lessons embedded in this report, let us be awakened to the immense potential for positive change when we confront uncomfortable truths with courage and commitment.

Police officials who responded to the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas “demonstrated no urgency," according to a new Justice Department report.

10/13/2022

Every day brings new choices. -Martha Beck

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"The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts." -Marcus Aurelius

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A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on detour. -Anonymous

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"If you want light to come into your life, you need to stand where it is shining."
-Guy Finley

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"The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow."
-Robert Tew

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"If you close your eyes to facts, you will learn through accidents."

- African Proverb

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"""Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.""
-Corrie Ten Boom

08/23/2022

"Nobody can hurt me without my permission."
-Mahatma Gandhi