We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Wires and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Our goal is to equip and encourage white pastors and church leaders to become antiracism advocates within the body of Christ and their communities. In his inaugural video for “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,” author and former NFL player, Emmanual Acho, said, “If white people are your problem, I believe only white people can be your solution.” At The Reconciliation Group, we strive to be part of the solution. We desire to see the Church become a leader once again in the pursuit of justice and compassion around the world. We are here to work within the white Church, to dismantle racial biases and pursue radical empathy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After over ten years as a stay-at-home mom, I went back to school and got my master’s in seminary. What excites me most about my job is the opportunity to create true change in religious settings. We want to go beyond hearts and feelings – we want those convictions to translate into truly equitable and welcoming spaces for People of Color.

The two biggest lessons I’ve learned so far are patience and the importance of surrounding yourself with a great team. This is not easy work and getting people to want to hear more about what I do is not an easy task. It takes a lot of patience and commitment. I absolutely could not do this work without an amazing team around me – my business consultant, media director, fellow facilitators – we all work together to make this company great!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a parent to three young kids, I’m not sure I’m the best source for exciting itineraries! The High Museum is one of my favorite places to visit – their exhibits are always wonderful and they’re currently showcasing the Obama’s Presidential portraits. I love Mexican food, and Bone Garden Cantina is amazing! If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, Bistro Niko has incredible French food and the duck is delicious. You can’t really go wrong with any of the seafood dishes at St. Cecilia’s, which is downtown, or Capers in Kennesaw.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have two women I have to give a shoutout to: the first is Austin Channing Brown. She’s the author of I’m Still Here, and her book lit a fire in me that changed almost every area of my life. She wrote about her experience as a Black woman within a religious and ministerial context, and even as a white woman, she gave me the language to describe what I was feeling. The second woman is my mother. She is strong and gentle, filled with grace. She has walked my antiracism journey with me, and we are both better for it. She pushed me to go beyond emotion – to think things through at every level, to know my “why” and not forget it.

Website: www.TheReconciliationGroup.com

Instagram: @thereconciliationgroup

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-wires-25a54321b/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGJDxCCyTRjJ2apmPqa8dmA

Image Credits
B.Mars Photography

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