Following the death of George Floyd and the violence that erupted in the city just a short distance from where she lives and works, LaToya Burrell felt her heart breaking at the things she saw on social media. She received multiple texts and messages from friends—her white friends—asking, “What can I do?”
Burrell, who is Dean of the College of Graduate Education and Accreditation at North Central University, said she realized she needed to speak up in areas where she had previously been hesitant to join, let alone facilitate the conversation.
Creating a safe space to ask questions
She created a series of short videos that she posted on social media. In the videos, she shared her perspectives on the questions people were asking about race and injustice and was surprised at the positive response. People interacted with her and with one another on the social platforms—and they asked for more. It was as if she was creating a safe space to ask difficult questions.
The hunger for safe conversations made Burrell realize that she could bring more to the table, so she decided to write a book.
“Be Bold: How to Prepare Your Heart and Mind for Racial Reconciliation” (High Bridge Books, 2020) was just released.
In the first chapter of her book, Burrell says, “I decided to step out of my comfort zone. The day before I began writing this book, I recorded a short eleven-minute YouTube video entitled ‘Here is what you can do,’ and in response to the question, I explained the following four things that you can do:
- Examine Yourself and Your Heart
- Educate Yourself (Learn)
- Humble Yourself (Listen)
- Be Bold
“The overwhelming response confirmed that this book was not only necessary but that it was my job to be the author.”
For ‘everybody who has a heart’
Burrell hopes her book will be embraced by anyone who wants to join the crucial conversations about racial reconciliation, equity, and how to move forward from this challenging place the nation is in.
The back cover of the book poses the question:
“What can I do? How can I work towards a solution? How can I be a change agent? How can I be an ally? How can I effectively change my mindset to get to a place of total healing and racial reconciliation?
“These questions are often asked in response to tough discussions or events relating to race, racism, racial injustice, or systemic racism, both historical and current.
“‘Be Bold’ is an answer to the ‘What can I do?’ question, providing practical advice on how to talk about race and boldly move towards being the change you want to see. This book serves as your tour guide for listening and learning about how racism impacts our daily lives.”
Burrell believes the book is for “everybody who has a heart.” She hopes that as a result of reading the book—or even better, experiencing it with others—there will be change. “I hope for people to have softened and changed hearts, and once they do that, to be willing and open to share it with others.”
It was essential for Burrell to ground her book in her Christian faith. The solutions to racism must start with love, and Burrell frequently points her readers to “the best love story I have ever read … the Bible!”
‘You make time for what matters’
Burrell knows that reading a book will not solve a deeply rooted problem but believes that racial reconciliation is a continuous process that will take time. “When my husband was trying to date me,” Burrell said, “I was always telling him I was busy. One day he said, ‘You make time for what matters.’
“And that’s what I tell people. We have to treat this issue like anything else that matters, and it’s going to take time.”
About LaToya Burrell
“LaToya Jones Burrell, JD, MBA, a licensed attorney and leader in higher education, has a passion for teaching, leading, and mentoring others. She believes that leadership and success start with truly understanding who we are and who we belong to. As an advocate for social justice, she dreams of a world that ultimately looks like Heaven. She believes that racial reconciliation will only take place when we humble ourselves, examine our hearts, and are open to listening, learning, and having courageous conversations. Healing begins when we can love our neighbors as ourselves and BOLDLY walk together in unity” (High Bridge Books, 2020). Burrell serves as Dean of Graduate Education and Accreditation at North Central University in Minneapolis.
