A Bold Beginning
Repair the Breach NOLA just celebrated its first birthday. We are an interfaith collective based in New Orleans, working toward reparations through coordinated action. The movement began with two remarkable women in their eighties—Jean Ewing, a Methodist, and Martha Wickett, an Episcopalian. Both are deeply educated, spiritually grounded, and passionate about social justice.
Driven by urgency and faith, they studied reparations efforts nationwide. Then they planted a model here in New Orleans to address the city’s massive racial wealth gap. Could we build momentum, gather leaders, and host regular meetings at the St. Charles Center for Faith + Action?
Hitting the Ground—Then Adjusting Course
Moving fast was crucial to Jean and Martha. Time and energy seemed short compared to their large dreams. So we did move fast. We created a mission-driven PowerPoint presentation, launched regular meetings, and engaged leading scholars like Dr. V.P. Franklin and Dr. Kimberly Richards. We also began talks with a potential fiscal sponsor.
But we quickly learned that importing a model—specifically one from Michigan—didn’t translate well in New Orleans. Our second problem? We were moving in too many directions. What should a reparations process look like? Should our outreach cast a wide net or focus more narrowly? We had yet to agree.
A New Approach
The core idea remained: collect funds from white congregations and entrust a Black-led Distribution Committee to determine how the money should be used. We believed reparations could gain traction in church circles because of its theological and Biblical roots. Plus, we hoped the Holy Spirit would guide our efforts.
However, we soon realized reparations wasn’t a natural conversation in most churches. So how do we start? Who makes the ask? What’s the right entry point?
Enter: Sacred Reckonings
That’s when Pastor Gregory T. Manning of Broadmoor Community Church, who serves on both our Planning and Distribution Committees, brought in Sara Green. Sara, a Unitarian Universalist minister, had developed a full workshop for white churches to begin repair work with Black and Indigenous communities. Her arrival, at just the right moment, felt divinely inspired.
Sara joined our team and helped bring her workshop—Sacred Reckonings—to New Orleans. It took place May 9 and 10 at the St. Charles Center for Faith + Action. Unitarian Universalists, Episcopalians, and others participated. The workshop made me realize that reparations go far beyond wealth transfer.
A Spiritual Framework
Sacred Reckonings presents a mandala of five overlapping circles: Truth Telling, Spiritual Practice, Relationship, Political Solidarity, and Wealth Return. In the center is a spiritual sweet spot. That’s where, as I see it, reparations move us—Black and white alike—closer to God.
Related: New Orleans Begins to Repair the Breach
Trust Over Speed
My biggest lesson from Repair the Breach NOLA’s first year is this: despite our drive, strong personalities, and desire for truth, real change moves only at the speed of trust. That’s not always easy for white people like me to accept. Truth-telling, after all, often reveals a painful past.
As we enter our second year, may we walk with humility, lean on our shared foundation, and move—God willing—into a season of action.
📍 To learn more about Repair the Breach NOLA or the Sacred Reckonings workshop, contact Orissa Arend at arendsaxer@bellsouth.net or 601-807-7297.