By Edwin Robinson | Throughout the first quarter of 2024, Faith In Texas organized several events with the goal of empowering communities and promoting social change. We had some amazing events with great speakers and participants discussing important topics like civic and community engagement, social-change strategy and skill development. I’m excited to share with you some of the highlights. Let’s dive in! Faithful Strategies for Social Change Workshop One of the most significant events we organized was the “Faithful Strategies for Social Change” workshop. This workshop trained 35 faith leaders, professional social change practitioners, and laypeople in the skills of long-term strategy development for social change. The workshop provided participants with practical approaches, techniques, and tools for creating sustainable impact in their communities. Friendship West Annual MLK Teach-in Faith In Texas co-sponsored the Friendship West Annual MLK Teach-in, featuring notable speakers such as Senator Cori Bush, Rev. Dr. George Mason, and Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes. The event aimed to discuss critical topics related to social justice and community empowerment, inspiring and educating attendees on the importance of collective action. Addressing Social and Community Issues We are proud to share that we successfully trained over 200 faith leaders, laypeople, and professional social change practitioners. Our training program focused on equipping participants with skills such as civic education, community organizing, long-term strategy development, and collective action. We used a popular education approach to ensure that diverse voices were represented, heard, and empowered to participate in shaping the future of their communities. Through our training, participants gained the necessary knowledge and tools to bring about meaningful changes within their community. Adapting Strategies for Evolving Needs Recognizing the community’s evolving needs, We adapted our strategies to provide education, training, and skill development opportunities. This proactive approach aimed to grow our base of skilled social change practitioners, empowering more individuals to take effective action for social justice. Aligning with Long-term Vision and Mission Our first quarter events are in perfect alignment with our ong-term vision and mission of empowering communities for social change. As more people become aware of civic and social issues, we at Faith In Texas have taken on the crucial task of preparing and training a new wave of faithful individuals ready to work effectively for social justice. In Conclusion Faith In Texas’ initiatives in the first quarter of 2024 have been instrumental in empowering communities, fostering meaningful discussions, and equipping individuals with the skills to create lasting social change through the lens of their faith. These efforts reflect our commitment to building a more just and equitable society, guided by faith and collective action.