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What does it look like when a community comes together to pursue racial equity through education, healing, relationship-building, and collective action?

In this episode of The WEBB Remedy Podcast, WEBB Squared celebrates Community Organizing for Racial Equity, or CORE, as part of its Changemakers in Motion campaign and fifth-anniversary Changemaker Awards.

Hosts Rinnie Orr, Executive Director of WEBB Squared, and Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, Director of Strategic Partnerships, welcome Pastor Shontea Smith, Executive Director of CORE and pastor of Springdale African Methodist Episcopal Church in Burlington, North Carolina.

Pastor Shontea shares the story behind CORE’s founding in the summer of 2016, when faith leaders and concerned community members in Chatham County came together in response to racial violence and growing division across the country. She discusses how CORE began with racial equity education and evolved into a community-governed organization focused on leadership development, relational organizing, community healing, and systemic change.

The conversation also explores what it means to build leadership from within the community, center the voices of people most affected by inequity, and create space for honest reflection and cross-racial dialogue. Pastor Shontea reflects on the relationship between faith and community organizing, her leadership journey, and the kind of leadership required to support meaningful and lasting change.

Together, the hosts and guest consider what it means to be “Changemakers in Motion”- people and organizations willing to move from ideas to action while continuing to learn, build relationships, adapt, and create new possibilities.

Guest

Pastor Shontea Smith, D. Min.
Executive Director, Community Organizing for Racial Equity
Pastor, Springdale African Methodist Episcopal Church
Burlington, North Carolina

About CORE

Community Organizing for Racial Equity, or CORE, is a community-governed, nonpartisan nonprofit organization working to build a network of community organizers and develop leadership from within the community.

CORE brings together individual community members, local organizations, nonprofits, faith institutions, associations, and other community partners to pursue systemic change through racial equity education, community healing, and relational organizing.

Changemakers in Motion

WEBB Squared’s fifth-anniversary Changemaker Awards are presented under the theme “Changemakers in Motion.”

The theme honors people and organizations that move ideas into action, create opportunities, build meaningful connections, and contribute to a more equitable future. CORE is being recognized for its ongoing commitment to community-led solutions, racial equity, education, healing, and organizing.

Learn More

To learn more about CORE, its programs, community organizing work, and opportunities to get involved:

CORE: corenc.org
WEBB Squared: webbsquared.org

Listen, Share, and Connect

If this conversation gave you a new perspective on racial equity, community leadership, or the power of organizing, share it with someone who is committed to building a stronger and more connected community.

Subscribe to The WEBB Remedy Podcast, leave a review, and follow WEBB Squared for more conversations with entrepreneurs, community leaders, and changemakers creating new possibilities.

Closing Thought

“Our evolution begins with dialogue.”

Support the show

Thank you for listening...Our theme this year is "Changemakers in Motion"
To find out how you can be changemaker and connect - check out WEBB Squared.

Become a changemaker today! Support WEBB Squared’s annual campaign.

We would love to hear from you. Please contact rinnie@webbsquared.org for more information.