Will Kennedy and Isiah Gray are members of Brothaz in the Foyer, a group that produces content to represent and share the experiences of Black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are part of a larger group of hosts for the Brothaz in the Foyer Podcast, and their goal is to bring people “from the foyer into the chapel.” This conversation explores their personal journeys, the dynamics of race within the Church, and the importance of fostering understanding and inclusivity.

Links

YouTube: @brothazinthefoyer

Instagram: @brothazinthefoyer

TikTok: @brothazinthefoyer

Paul Reeve books

Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Key Insights

Experiences in the Temple: Will and Isiah share how their experiences as Black men in the temple often draw attention, highlighting the need for normalization of diverse representation within sacred spaces.

Cultural Differences: The hosts discuss how their backgrounds influence their experiences in the Church, noting that cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and the need for open dialogue.

Reconciliation with Church History: Both emphasize the importance of understanding the Church’s history regarding race, including the priesthood ban, and how this knowledge can strengthen faith rather than diminish it.

Empathy and Genuine Interaction: They stress the importance of treating all individuals as children of God and engaging in genuine conversations to bridge cultural gaps, rather than making interactions feel forced or awkward.

Political Climate and Faith: The discussion touches on the politicization of race and the need for members to prioritize their faith and love for others over political affiliations, promoting unity within the Church.

Leadership Applications

Foster Open Dialogue: Leaders should create environments where members feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to race and culture, encouraging transparency and understanding.

Educate on Church History: Leaders can benefit from familiarizing themselves with resources like Paul Reeve’s book on race in the priesthood to better address historical issues and foster inclusivity.

Encourage Representation: Leaders should seek diverse voices in leadership roles and callings, recognizing that representation can enhance the community’s strength and unity, while also being mindful not to tokenize individuals based on race.

Highlights

00:03:09 – Origin of Brothaz in the Foyer Podcast

00:04:34 – Cultural Differences in Latter-day Saint Experiences

00:06:08 – Broader Christian Dialogue and Inclusivity

00:06:58 – Personal Background: Will’s Journey to the Church

00:08:35 – Personal Background: Isiah’s Journey to the Church

00:10:58 – Navigating Church Culture and History

00:14:03 – Discussing Race in Church Settings

00:17:04 – Parenting and Discussing Race with Children

00:19:46 – Encouragement for Friends Struggling with Church History

00:20:15 – Seeking the Savior in Difficult Conversations

00:22:34 – Addressing Race in Church Leadership

00:23:38 – Importance of Validation and Transparency

00:25:27 – Practical Approaches for Church Leaders

00:26:26 – Genuine Interactions vs. Awkwardness

00:29:06 – Experiences in the Temple

00:31:17 – Building Relationships through Meaningful Conversations

00:33:41 – Representation and Diversity in Leadership

00:35:02 – Navigating Race in Utah and the Wasatch Front

00:37:57 – The Impact of Politics on Race Conversations

00:42:36 – Mixing Christianity with Politics

00:45:59 – Addressing Racism in the Church Context

00:47:02 – Empathy and Understanding in Racial Discussions

The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, <a href="https://leadingsaints.org/women-in-council-meetings-an-interview-with-wendy-ulrich/