Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Beverly Rykerd
brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com
(719) 268-1935
Diversity Expert and Unity Champion Latasha Morrison Spearheads a Global Movement Bridge the Racial Divide “Morrison’s clear-eyed vision will aid any reader trying to understand and overcome systemic, internalized racism.” —
Publishers Weekly Latasha Morrison, a bridge builder, reconciler, and leading voice in the fight for racial justice, presents in her debut book,
Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation (October 15, 2019, WaterBrook) the inspiring vision of advocating for justice and racial unity, beginning with church communities.
As an African American woman working in a primarily white church in Austin, Texas, Morrison began to notice a deep division between non-white culture and majority-culture churches. Feeling called to become a “bridge builder,” she gathered a group of friends to join her in a racial reconciliation discussion group in which women of color and white women could come together to listen and learn from each other. These conversations set the stage for Morrison’s non-profit, Be the Bridge, an organization committed to bringing the reconciliation power of the gospel to the racial divide in America. Today, more than 1,000 Be the Bridge groups meet across five countries to duplicate these conversations and join in serving as ambassadors of racial reconciliation and restoration.
Firmly rooted in the biblical principle of reconciliation and infused with the experiences of Morrison and other Bridge Builders,
Be the Bridge is a solutions-oriented resource and a must-read for anyone who longs for lasting healing in our deeply divided nation. It offers a must-needed catalyst toward conversations that, though difficult, can lead to redemption and restoration.
“As we’ve replicated our reconciliation conversations in groups across the nation and beyond, I’ve watched people awaken to the realities of the racial divide and their personal racial illiteracy,” writes Morrison. “I’ve seen them go from living in hard-hearted denial to leading movements toward reconciliation.”
With a surprising blend of unapologetic candor and genuine hope,
Be the Bridge is a power-packed guide that will inspire and equip readers to dismantle barriers and lead the charge in the pursuit of justice and racial unity.
For more information, visit www.waterbookmultnomah.com or https://latashamorrison.com/.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: LATASHA MORRISON is a bridge builder, reconciler, and compelling voice in the fight for racial justice. In 2016, she founded Be the Bridge. Numerous organizations, including
Forbes and
Christianity Today, have recognized her as a leading social justice advocate. A sought after speaker, Morrison has appeared at events such as IF: Gathering, Facebook Summit, Catalyst, and The Justice Conference.
For her work as a compelling leader and trailblazer, she has been selected for
Ebony’s Power 100 as a Community Crusader. Additionally, she is one of five individuals—the only in North America—chosen for Facebook’s first Community Leader in Residence Program, which comes with a grant of up to $1 million to advance the work of Be the Bridge.
A native of North Carolina, Morrison earned degrees in human development and business leadership. She resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
Facebook: @BeaBridgeBuilder (
15.6K followers) @TashaMoniqueMorrison (
8.5K followers)
Instagram: @latashamorrison (
17K followers)
Twitter: @LatashaMorrison (
7.8K followers)
PRAISE for BE THE BRIDGE: “When it comes to the intersection of race, privilege, justice, and the church, Tasha is without question my best teacher.
Be the Bridge is
the tool I wish to put in every set of hands. Put frankly, if we followed the path she writes about—the path of humility and repentance, courage and action—we would see the end of racism. It really is that simple. Tasha is one of the most important leaders in my generation.”
—Jen Hatmaker,
New York Times best-selling author of
For the Love and
Of Mess and Moxie
“When I want to know how to do the hard work of reconciliation and peacemaking, Latasha Morrison is one of the first people I go to. She’s introduced me to a new way of thinking while bringing together people of different perspectives, opinions, and histories. When she calls us to be a bridge to connect people to people, her challenge is more powerful because she’s already been the bridge that has gotten us this far.”
—Reggie Joiner, founder and CEO of Orange
“I have known Latasha Morrison for more than a decade. Her commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and unity is unparalleled. Her extraordinary new book,
Be the Bridge, is the blueprint the Christian church has been waiting for.”
—Lee Allen Jenkins, author, speaker, and senior pastor of Eagles Nest Church
“Tasha Morrison gives us much-needed guidance in this book on how to explore the tough dynamics of race, identity, and culture that doesn’t focus on simple, shallow solutions but helps us profoundly see how we can transform ourselves and thus our communities in the ways we act and think about race. Tasha masterfully weaves together her personal stories and experiences with history to make us aware of the human impact of racism—and then gives us the tools to respond. Tackling issues of race can seem daunting and overwhelming, but by providing us practical steps to engage, laced in grace, truth, and mutuality, Tasha meets us where we are and helps us become better-formed disciples of Jesus to pursue a more holistic vision of the good news for all people.”
—Jenny Yang, vice president of policy and advocacy at World Relief
Christian Living/Social Issues/Discrimination & Race Relations October 15, 2019
ISBN: 9780525652885 · Trade Paper · $17.99/$23.99 Canada
e-Book ISBN: 9780525652892 · $11.99/$13.99 Canada
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: 1) How did Be the Bridge begin? What was your vision for the organization?
2) What were those early Be the Bridge groups like? What lessons did you learn?
3) What was happening in your life that prepared you for this kind of work?
4) You believe reconciliation is a concept that comes from the Bible. Can you tell us more about that?
5) What role does racial illiteracy play in our ongoing divisions?
6) You write that understanding the truth of our racial history is an early step in this journey. Where do you recommend people turn to learn more?
7) What role does humility play in the process of racial reconciliation?
8) Tell us about the steps you guide readers through on this path to bringing unity to our communities.
9) You write that lament is a key element to reconciliation. What does that look like?
10) From your point of view, how does healing begin as it moves toward reconciliation?
11) What do we need to do to in our relationships to bring about restoration?
12) What changes are you seeing come from Be the Bridge groups in local communities?
13) How can someone get involved with Be the Bridge?
Contact Publicist
publicity@waterbrookmultnomah.com