BCC’s LEADERSHIP EVOLUTION ON DISPLAY

After several months of discussion among BCC’s board, as well as with the organization’s three key veteran leaders, the Board extended an offer of employment as the new Executive Director to Ms. Rasberry during the final days of preparation for the Long March. Gladly accepting the offer but not wanting to overshadow Rev. Johnson’s prophetic vision of the Long March, Brigette quietly stepped into the role without much fanfare. Ms. Rasberry truly believes the mark of a great leader is their ability to always listen, sometimes follow, and daily die to self. “Most think a great leader has all the ideas and answers, but in fact, they have the humility to know the opposite is true,” she states. BCC’s new Executive Director considers herself to be a good manager of talent, a listener, and an observer of her surroundings, while also recognizing opportunities and/or challenges presented by life and situational circumstances.

BCC’s former Co-Executive Director Joyce Hobson Johnson often spoke of “sharing the baton” as opposed to “passing it,” as she recognized the need for movement continuity. She also understood the importance of wisdom alongside fresh perspectives. For more than a year, Brigette shared that baton with her predecessors, gradually taking on more responsibility, yet following their lead. She learned much from both and knows the magnitude of what they have entrusted her to carry forward. Lucky for her, they will still be down the hall, as they are stepping away from the day-to-day leadership, but not leaving BCC altogether. The Johnsons, along with Mr. Lewis A. Brandon, III, a founding contributor and dedicated veteran member of the staff, will remain at BCC in an advisory capacity. They will also continue to lead significant special initiatives as Executives in Residence with the organization. Join us in congratulating Brigette as she enters the ranks of Beloved Movement Leaders having been birthed by BCC’s Founding Elders.

From the Board of Directors

As we enter into a new year, our communities are experiencing chaotic and extraordinarily confusing times. We’re constantly hearing narratives that promote separation and divisiveness. Many feel anxious and fearful about their futures.

However, at the Beloved Community Center (BCC), we choose to communicate a different narrative—one that speaks of “hope”. BCC remains steadfast and true to its mission of truth, justice, and reconciliation as evidenced by this past year’s work. To secure a similar and even more distinguishable future for BCC, the Board endeavored in an in-depth leadership search to continue its forward movement. We challenged ourselves to focus on the legacy, sustainability, and viability of BCC’s rightful place as an iconic and historic organization for social justice.

The Board culminated its search and “passed the torch” to Ms. Brigette Rasberry, our current Executive Director, in whom we are confident to lead BCC into its next phase of movement-building.

During the search process, we were privileged to celebrate and honor the life-long commitment of BCC’s Founder and leaders of 33 years, Rev. Nelson and Joyce Johnson and Lewis Brandon, III. As we continue celebrating these courageous individuals as social justice champions, we also lift BCC as a community legacy, leading and modeling for others what it means to be a “beloved community”. This will be an enduring legacy for generations to come.

As the challenges we face intensify on so many levels, now more than ever, the Beloved Community Center will stand firm and ready to advance the causes of truth, justice, and unity throughout our communities, our state, and beyond.

We invite you to join us on this all-important journey!

Sincerely,

Pat Priest, Board Chairperson

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The multi-year evolution of the executive leadership of the Beloved Community Center has been as thoughtful a process as the entity itself. The organization has given the highest priority to ensuring BCC’s long-term sustainability to build the next generation of organizers, serve as a trusted connector to bring together diverse people with shared values, and consistently speak truth to power for justice and equity in Greensboro, the South, and the nation. After several years of experiential learning and development from founders Joyce and Nelson Johnson, Brigette Rasberry was selected by the BCC Board to become Executive Director. We see the appointment of such a passionate and talented leader as an act of deep respect and stewardship of all the Beloved Community Center has been and great anticipation of all that BCC will become in the future.

Jennifer Henderson, BCC Board Member

This is an excerpt from our 2024 End of year booklet, we encourage you to read and share with your network: https://belovedcommunitycenter.org/featured/2024eoyreview/