Carly Hutchins stood near the entrance of AutoZone Park as the inaugural Race for Reconciliation kicked off at noon Monday, Jan. 17.
Clad in a black winter hat and boots on a chilly day, the University of Memphis student said seeing the event come to life has been a valuable lesson.
“The development of a nonprofit has been a great learning experience,” said Hutchins, who is an intern for Race for Reconciliation. “It’s really breathtaking, all the hard work that we’ve put in, and to see it here is really amazing. To see Memphis coming together for unity is something that we’ve needed and something that we’re going to need as long as we’re here.”
More than 600 participants turned out for Monday’s 5k/1k walk and run event, a part of MLK Day activities.
Race for Reconciliation is the brainchild of R4R Executive Director Karin Conlee, a Memphis resident who helped start One City Church in Collierville and works as a minister and life-coach. R4R grew out of the nonprofit organization, “Love Works.”
“Love Works is an education-based nonprofit that started in 2013,” Conlee said. “We’ve done a lot of work in the ministry in Memphis. But again, we just don’t feel like you change a city from inside the walls of a church; you have to partner with people.”
Conlee feels taking action should be a part of unifying all aspects of community life.
“Really the whole premise is that we feel like in order to truly address significant issues, specifically in the City of Memphis, you really need to unite every section of a community,” she said. “You need education, government, faith and nonprofits. Who am I leaving out?” Conlee said.
Standing beside Conlee was “Love Works” board member Eric Bailey, who volunteered for the event.
“For me, education awareness and really helping raise educational literacy is a big part of what Love Works does, so you think about racial reconciliation, education, literacy — it’s all about us being better people, a better city,” Bailey said. “Karin has really put her heart and soul in this. Sometimes we don’t think we can really make a difference, but it’s really about just taking one step. Just one.”