Welcome!

Words could not express how thankful we are that you chose to check out Race and Convos. I hope you find us to be a welcoming and inviting community, where grace is extended, understanding is sought, and love is shared. This journey you are embarking on is not easy or smooth; but it is real, honest, and life changing.

Around 2009, the idea for this community started and has been developing ever since. Over the years it has been exposed how a lack of knowledge and lack of exposure has created superficial or no cross cultural relationships. This often leads to prejudices and stereotypes in our lives- some of which are subtle and some, obvious. Race and Convos goal is to create a community and have each of us challenge ourselves to better understand one another. Our desire is to see people from all backgrounds come together, to talk, to gain knowledge, to grow in understanding, and to find how to live peacefully across race/ethnicity.

We want to see people from every background, race, ethnicity, socio-economic group/status to feel they belong and have space to grow. Inevitably we believe individuals will challenge one another; but please honor our pillar of honesty. What we request is for everyone to be patient and forgiving with each other. Instead of attacking, ask questions, provide feedback to help each other understand how/what/why you hold a different perspective. Offer historical context, facts, personal testimonies to provide someone an opportunity to understand and empathize. We are here to educate, expose, and enlighten and accept the reality we can not change people it is a personal choice.

Many cultures, our world!

Lindsay McDonnell (she/her)

Executive Director

Lindsay was born and raised in Saline, Michigan. While attending school there, she witnessed racism in various forms, and felt deep compassion for those being affected by it. This compelled her to be an anti-racism advocate and student of other races, ethnicities, and cultures.

Lindsay's innate desire to help others led her to pursue a degree in Social Work at Michigan State University. While there, she immersed herself in cross-cultural experiences by pursuing relationships with people who had different backgrounds and experiences. As a result of those relationships , she discovered her own racial biases and ignorance about people from different racial backgrounds.

After completing her education in social work, Lindsay went on to work in diverse settings such as, residential treatment facilities, schools, the foster care system and after school programming. While helping people in these various settings, her passion remained centered on race. Thus, Race and Convos was born.

Currently, Lindsay lives in Chicago, and remains fully immersed in race relations. She has audited a seminary class at North Park University, Racial Righteousness and was previously part of a cohort, Sacred Conversations to End Racism. She attends church on the Southside of Chicago, which is active in social justice and community service.

Currently, Lindsay works as a Human Resources Coordinator with Tandem HR and is a part of the founding DEI committee. She is a proud auntie and a foster mama to rescue dogs. Outside of work Lindsay loves to travel, eat, and spend time with family and friends.