“Listen to Black women”. As I sat down to write this review, this is the first thing that came to mind.There have been countless examples throughout history of societies collectively and individually refusing to listen to Black women. And the spheres of racial injustice and racial reconciliation are no less rampant with these examples. It is long past time for us all, particularly White people, to be closing our mouths and opening our ears to hear the voices of those who have been continually si...

“Esther serves as an example for how to bravely deal with political powers, judicial leaders, government officials, college administrators, CEOs, and denominational hierarchy as we pursue reconciliation and equity for all people.”In this thoughtful and equipping book, Dr. McNeil uses Esther’s story as a guiding example of individual engagement with injustice. She mixes in personal anecdotes, current events, and theological reflections to talk about the urgency of racial reconciliation (in the ch...

"I will pierce the darkness of racism and injustice with the leader whom I will influence and nurture and encourage in their practice of what I believe reconciliation really means: repairing broken systems together."Dr. McNeil's book takes the framework of the book of Esther and shows how Esther herself was the first seeker of justice in the Bible. The narrative presented is important, convicting, and very real. In today's racial climate, we see the same stories happening again and again in the

This book is truly inspirational. A little over a year ago my church became a Matthew 25 church. Matthew 25:31–46 calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. The program offered a 21-Day Racial Justice Challenge. The challenge invites us to do something every day to raise awareness about the perniciousness of racism and encourage action in response to that awareness. I picked up a suggested book about mass incarceration...

Wow! Brenda Slater McNeil does it again, this time renouncing the approach she took that cared more about attributes of gentle whiteness than speaking truth to systematic injustice. I’m SUCH a fan.

A gift from Mom by my favorite Christian preacher right now. I really love Pastor Brenda, but I don't think Mom fully understands that spending time listening to her will not make me a believer again. I access all kinds of spiritual inspiration and practice. I *did* really enjoy reading this, because Pastor Brenda shares most of my values and I've read plenty of books exploring themes of racial justice, but was curious about what that looks like through a Christian lens. Very readable and inspir...

Summary: A semi-autobiographical look at the book of Esther from the lens of US racial justice.I have long looked up to Brenda Salter McNeil. She doesn't know me at all. But when I was in college, more than 25 years ago, I participate in the college's urban summer program, working with homeless families in a long-term shelter in Houston for a summer. In part, that experience led me to pursue a master's in Social Service Administration a few years later, and my entire work career has been non-pro...

Becoming Brave is such a beautiful combination of Brenda's lifelong passion and pursuit of racial reconciliation and an infusion of new determination to see change happen. Set in the context of the lessons from Esther, this work brings the truth of scripture to modern day reality. Dr. Salter McNeil has found a new tenor to her voice in Becoming Brave, calling out complacency in the church that has too long failed to take interest to passion and passion to action. This book is accessible and deep...

Brenda Salter McNeil, one of the foremost voices in racial reconciliation, notes in Becoming Brave that her students’ convicting questions regarding justice and the church have shaped the latest iteration of her work and ministry. McNeil’s thick description of reconciliation counters inadequate notions of reconciliation that merely signify forgiveness for the sake of ending conflict. {For the full review see it at The Other Journal here: https://theotherjournal.com/2021/09/0... }

A significantg book, insightful and challenging.

I wanted to read this book after listening to Rev. Dr. McNeil speak as part of a virtual panel with Lisa Sharon Harper, Jemar Tisby, and LaTasha Morrison. She was the panelist with whom I was least familiar, but whose contribution I most enjoyed. Becoming Brave is essentially a book-long expansion of what she shared during that panel. Using the book of Esther as the framework, she describes her journey from fighting for diversity and inclusion in the church, to fighting against injustice and sys...

I was drawn to this book because of the author's reputation of years of work on reconciliation.And then I was a little off-put - the title seemed so similar to another recent publication by a famous Black American woman. And I was worried this call to action would be preachy.I was wrong on both counts.The story of Dr. McNeil's very personal story gives the foundation for a rally cry. She lays her heart bare as she takes us through her years of becoming more brave in her work. It was not an easy

I first heard about racial reconciliation several years ago at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, GA. One of those voices was Dr. McNeil. A short while afterward I began my own personal journey to uncover the reasons beneath the racial divide in our country, and I have taken in history and information from many sources recommended to me through others. I benefited mightily from them, and it is now my privilege to offer a recommendation to those who read this review. You should buy and read this...

Such a great book to start off this year of 2021! My challenge now is to put her words into practice!

Brenda Salter McNeil makes a powerful observation in the opening pages of the first chapter of BECOMING BRAVE: Finding the Courage to Pursue Racial Justice Now."For both the Nones and the Dones [those who state they have no religious affiliation, and those who say they are done with religion] the church has lost its credibility. These folks aren't waiting for the church, and they aren't expecting Christians to show up. They are only concerned with what the church is willing to do."After meeting

In this engaging book, Dr. Brenda Salter-McNeil weaves together a powerful and insightful exegesis of the Biblical story of Esther, stories from her own journey as an African-American woman, mother, wife, preacher, author, speaker, and university professor, and examples of other contemporary women warriors for community goodness and justice into a compelling narrative that encourages us all in our own personal journeys of becoming brave. You will never read Esther’s story the same way again. You...

This book is equal parts convicting and encouraging. The author teaches us what it means to become brave in the pursuit of racial reconciliation through the story of Esther. I learned so much through reading this book and discussing the concepts with a small group of women. My biggest takeaways are that this work is HARD and risky and dangerous, but could be the most important thing we do with our lives - perhaps we were made for a time such as this! To quote the author, "Reconciliation happens

I have been a follower of Brenda Salter McNeil since hearing her preach during my undergraduate days with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Occidental College. Her work planted a seed in me then that reconciliation is a gospel imperative. I'm grateful to have put the work of racial justice and Christian faith so firmly together at that time, and I've been inspired by Brenda's long-term commitment to helping Christians understand and respond to this imperative. Becoming Brave is a powerful and...

You probably haven't heard Esther's story explained like this before! Through the lens of this ancient, activitst, Biblical queen, Dr. Brenda shows us how to courageously move forward with God's heart for justice. Sharing pieces of her story and highlighting people she has learned from, the author encourages the reader grow into their own story of reconciliation and learn from the tales of those, like Esther, who have bravely gone before us. You can find book study discussion questions on our bl...

Becoming Brave is a must read! It is a timely reflection on what reconciliation is and why the non-white church should take the lead. Brenda Salter McNeil writes about her own journey to understanding more fully what reconciliation truly entails. She writes about the need to call things what they are. She writes honestly about the pain of assimilation culture and of racism within systems. For far too long the White church has expected people of color to make their pain palatable for us. But no m...