 Last year at annual conference we began the journey toward racial justice and it's work that we know that will last for a long time But I promised at that time to name a diversity and inclusion officer And so it's with great pleasure that I introduced Dr. Ron Henderson who does not really need an introduction who will be the director of Racial diversity equity and inclusion for the North Texas annual conference and so Ron I'm glad you're gonna be working with us in a number of ways and of course I think we need to tell everybody you'll still be serving on the appointment cabinet. Well, thank you I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve the conference this way. I feel like a great deal of energy excitement creativity In working with the team that's been exploring the journey toward racial equality and to Work with our conference work with the extended and appointed cabinet to make our conference the bureaucracy and Churches reflect more the kingdom of God and that's that is going to be a challenging work at times in some places And we know that but one of the things that's that I've become very excited about is the number of people Who are really wanting to engage in this work and know how important it is tell us why you think it's important Well, I think it's important because people who have been marginalized people who have had limitations in life intentionally Needs to be corrected and I think the church needs to take the lead And making certain that our conference is diverse with a variety of people Not only serving on committees, but serving in leadership serving in our churches having Access to good salaries. I think it's important that we take the initiative in in Exercising and justice and fairness to everybody particularly those who've been limited in the past and it's important that we're intentional and Making certain that people are really included that they're more than window dressing But that we have to equip equip them empower with them bless them To be a part of the group in terms of decision-making policy, etc And you know you and I've talked about inclusion this way and it's like it's not just having a seat at the table But having a voice at the table and empowering that Yeah, I'm reminded I was a part of an organization once and people told me that you're a part of this Organization it wasn't a United Methodist organization and I remember I was a part of the organization But I was never asked to do anything. I never participated in any planning any program And so I was a part of it, but I wasn't really included and so for me inclusion means that you participate in visioning You participate in policymaking You participate in the direction of the whole so Inclusion is very important Now I like the way in which we've begun to talk about that, you know about having a voice and having a role to play and that kind of thing rather than just okay, this is just you know Sure that we've got X number of people on any committee. It's more important than that. Yes, and it's important particular for you to hear the various voices and To say to people that their voice is important and that I need to hear your voice and that your voice is important to me Yeah, you know the other thing we've wrestled with as a cabinet as we talk about this is there's a great deal of Institutional history and some of it is somewhat accurate and some of it's not And so one of the good things that's happened with you on the cabinet is that we we get the story about the history rather than the Oral history that sort of changes perhaps at times and we think that's going to be an important piece for our work together well, you know I Do bring an understanding of a Institutional knowledge do bring an understanding of the continuity of our history and the continuity is important because Understanding a history and not understanding a continuity doesn't make it authentic And so when we talk about our Institutional memory we want to make certain that we are authentic at what we're talking about You know one of the things that I think we sometimes forget the cabinet is not and others do not but That racial inclusion is has gotten larger and larger in the North Texas conference and by that I mean when we talk about racial justice inclusion, it's not only African-Americans and Hispanics But think of the number of Koreans who are present and in the area think of the number of people who are here now from India in fact, we have a pastor from India that's appointed to one of our churches and Any number of other Asian or Pacific Islanders? Filipinos for instance our conference so the diversity in North Texas is is pretty large Diversity at our conference has grown tremendously over the last eight years and the amazing thing about this position and you're Putting this position together and naming a director is also a way of saying to the conference is that even though we made great progress I'm not satisfied We have a long ways to go and so even that is to be celebrated that we're not content with where we are and know that there's so much More we can do for for diversity and inclusion. We have to be reminded that there are no quick fixes in this There's only a journey they would continue on for a period of time And so you and I are gonna get the walk-up long this together Intentional journey and tension. Yeah, and it is intentional and so that's not just reactive when something happens That's an important piece. Yes, so I think I think that I'm glad you're gonna be doing this and well I'm excited but to be doing it and fill the energy and the creativity and ready to get going I'm sure you'll have enough to do Yes, I'm glad so dr. Henderson is gonna be reporting to me So one of my direct reports and so I want you to know that He'll be sitting in on all extended and point of cabinet meetings as I said earlier And of course his voice is not only important to to the cabinet but to the work of the whole church And so I'm grateful that dr. Henderson's agreed to do this work And I want I look forward to seeing you at annual conference and you'll hear more about our journey toward racial justice then So dr. Henderson good to be with you this afternoon great to be with you. Thank you. Thank you