The Gathering meets at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, located on 3320 Troup Hwy. in Tyler, every Monday at 6:30 p.m. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Rosa Parks once said “to bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step.”

A small group in Tyler is working on taking steps in hopes to amend the racial hurt that has long embedded East Texas.

“The objective of this group is to welcome people of any background, race, culture, gender, belief; a forum in which to gather, express their views openly, and freely without fear of retribution, or disdain,” Tyler resident and group member Larry Wade said.

The racial reconciliation ministry, known as The Gathering, has been meeting weekly for the last several months to discuss issues that stem from racial injustices and inequality. The Gathering is a mixture of members of St. Francis Episcopal Church and St. Clare’s Episcopal Church.

“I do like the openness, a friendly atmosphere, and a feeling of acceptance of being who I am, without having to explain why I am, who I am, and being different from those who may be different,” Wade said.

Wade was invited by a friend in the early months of the group meetings, and often chimes in as a liaison for the Black community.

“Ever since I was invited, I have not been able to stop coming,” he said. “I enjoy it every week.”

The group has productive discussions.

“We really try to focus on the local issues… and what it’s like to grow up as a black person in Tyler, Texas,” said group member Doug Clark. “We felt there was a need to begin a conversation about racial equality, social justice and see if we could begin to make a difference.”

One of the more recent discussions was the dissolving diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at public universities due to a new Texas law that took effect in January.

“Senate Bill 17 requires public universities to end so-called diversity, equity and inclusion work. Universities will also be unable to offer training on diversity and inclusion for its faculty and staff, or require diversity statements in hiring processes. Universities must also confirm to the Legislature between legislative sessions that they are in full compliance,” according to the Texas Tribune.

“It’s terrible,” Clark said. “When minorities get to college, they need as much support as most of us do. Some of them needed some kind of breakthrough in their lives, to get beyond the barriers. And the State of Texas just eliminated all of that.”

Alicia De La Rosa-Millard, a member of The Gathering, worked for 12 years for an Office of Multicultural Affairs at Stephen F. Austin State University.

“I can’t help but think that they lost the students who are now losing out on something,” she said. “Our office was a place, a safe space. I know people don’t like hearing this and… they don’t want to believe this but students of color have a hard time being able to express themselves. The multicultural office was a safe space for them to come and basically be themselves, to learn about themselves.”

The group is hoping more people in the community will join in the discussion and evolve into being able to take action.

“I think we see (change) as something that is very tangible that we might be able to do,” Clark said. “We can talk all day long, but there needs to be some action along the way.”

The Gathering meets at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, located on 3320 Troup Hwy. in Tyler, every Monday at 6:30 p.m.

As a place where people can come as they are and be comfortable — regardless of convictions, philosophical viewpoints, backgrounds and ideologies — the Gathering is a home where all thoughts and expressions are appreciated and respected.

“They can see diversity as a strength, and not a weakness,” Wade said. “The Gathering is to me a small microcosm of what America should, and can, be if only we would allow it to be.”