Priorities for the foundation include increased communication
among historically divided groups and the healing
of long-standing social rifts. Targeted for the 15-25
year-old age group, E.R.A.C.E. programs include campus
outreach, a series of issue-oriented public service
announcements, special events and an Internet website.
"We believe that our generation can and will
become a force for racial harmony," Michael Tait
says. "One of our goals is to celebrate diversity
and to realize that we can learn from one another.
We want to motivate our generation to act on the core
belief that we are all equal. That is one of the cornerstones
of this organization."
Toby McKeehan explains, "We attempt to live
our ideals on a daily basis, and that has more impact
than words can ever have its what we
call living integration. Through the foundation, we
challenge our audience to do the same."
In September of 1997, dc Talk launched The E.R.A.C.E.
Foundations efforts by participating in the
"Racial Reconciliation Rally" in Little
Rock, Ark. The rally was part of a weeklong emphasis
on racial reconciliation, marking the 40-year anniversary
of the integration of Little Rock Central High School.
Each individual can make a difference in the fight
against racism," Kevin Max comments. "The
barriers that stand between us as people are of our
own making. The E.R.A.C.E. Foundation is sounding
a call to action to bring some of those barriers crashing
down."
Since the Little Rock event, The E.R.A.C.E. Foundation
has put in motion numerous plans for upcoming events
across the country promoting racial unity. Its goal
is to use education as the primary tool to promote
dialogue among all people and eliminate barriers to
racial reconciliation. The foundation will concentrate
its efforts on American youth and hopes to set in
motion a groundswell of advocacy for a new generation.