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A Message from Richie Butler, Founder

We are excited about the work before us. It has been an amazing journey for Project Unity since its inception in 2014, as the organization has been faithful to the vision of building bridges. Whether that has been building bridges between community and law enforcement, or addressing racism by bringing diverse interests together to have courageous conversations, the journey has been fruitful.

I want you to know we have a big, bold, achievable and needed initiative that will launch this year called "1 in 2": one million people over a two year period will participate in a Together We Dine event throughout the state of Texas. Each one of you will be important to the success of this ambitious goal from signing up to become a facilitator to signing up your school, church, work or community organization to host a dine event. So stay tuned! "1 in 2" is one of the many initiatives Project Unity will launch in 2020.

The work we do on race relations and community building is not for the faint of heart because we are taking on tough issues that get swept under the rug. Remember that what we are doing is hard work and it's "heart" work. Thank you for coming along this journey of community building with us. I look forward to working with you and seeing you in 2020!

Welcome Bill Morse, Operations Director

We have added Bill Morse to the Project Unity team as our Operations Director. Bill brings decades of people and project leadership experience. In his previous role, he developed and implemented a variety of programs including several education and awareness initiatives aimed at enriching healthy attitudes and behaviors. We are excited to have Bill as part of the Project Unity team and know he will help us continue to grow in the right direction.

Together We Learn

Project Unity is pleased to be the recipient of the W.W. Caruth, Jr., Fund at Communities Foundation of Texas grant to fund the expansion and implementation of our Together We Learn program. The program is instructed by Dallas Police officers with curriculum developed by the National Black Police Association. It is designed to educate teens on how to act and react to law enforcement during pedestrian and traffic stops. The effort aligns with Texas Senate Bill 30 that was passed in 2018. The program will be introduced at 5 DISD schools this spring and additional DISD schools in the fall.

Thanks to our partners: National Black Police Association, Dallas Police Association, Dallas ISD, University of North Texas at Dallas, and Senator Royce West

Together We Pray

Each week, Project Unity hosts Together We Pray, a conference call for people from across the nation to join in prayer and reflection on ways to promote race relations and racial healing. We take a moment out of our busy schedules every Friday at 9:00 a.m. to center ourselves and hear a short devotion.

Want to Join Our Call? Anyone can!
When: Every Friday morning (with some Holiday exceptions)
Time: 9:00 AM
Dial-In Number: (712) 770-5505
Access Code: 295-041-092

You can listen to our most recent call, or the archives by visiting our Together We Pray page.

Together We Pray

Upcoming Events

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — Monday, January 20

MLK Day is a day where we celebrate the life and achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. Join us in honoring the birth, life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as his accomplishments have continued to inspire generations of Americans today.

National Day of Racial Healing — Tuesday, January 21

This day is rooted for truth telling and trust building. It is an opportunity for people, organizations and communities across the US to call for racial healing, bring people together and take collective action to create a more just world. Want to get involved? Visit the W.K. Kellogg Foundation website to find an event happening near you!

Black History Month — Month of February

February is Black History Month, and the theme for 2020 is "African Americans and the Vote." 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Fifteenth Amendment (1870), and the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. This year's theme recognizes the struggle for voting rights among both black men and women throughout American history. Follow us on our socials below to see how we are celebrating Black History Month.

Together We Dine Recap

Project Unity continues to host Together We Dines for the community and specifically for organizations and groups that take the challenge to talk about race relations and relationships with law enforcement over a meal. We would like to acknowledge the following groups for participating in a recent Together We Dine:

Together We Dine: Community Dine hosted by the Dialogue Institute of Dallas - February
Together We Dine: Christ United Methodist Church - February
Together We Lunch: Talk about race and lessons learned after the State of Texas vs. Amber Guyger trial hosted by Ludlow Litigation Support - October
Together We Lunch: SMU Athletic Department Staff - October
Together We Dine: Dallas Police and Gang Members
Together We Lunch: Community Dine hosted by Walmart - December

2020 Together We Dine Schedule

We are excited to announce the following scheduled Together We Dine events. Events noted as public are open to the community and dates are subject to change. More public events will be scheduled. Registration for the public events will posted on the Project Unity website calendar of events 2-3 weeks prior to the Dine. Interested in hosting a private Dine event for your organization? Interested in sponsoring a community Dine event? Contact Charlene to learn how to engage or for more information on how to register for a public event.

Together We Dine Facilitator Training (Public) - Thursday, January 30, 6 - 8 p.m., Project Unity Office, 5470 Ellsworth Ave., Dallas, TX
Anyone interested in signing up to become a facilitator is encouraged to attend. To sign up, email your name to Charlene.
Together We Dine Facilitator Training - SMU Law School (Private) - February 17
Together We Dine (Public) - March 4, Dialogue Institute, 1416 E. Collins Blvd., Richardson, TX
Together We Dine, SMU Student Athletes (Private) - March 29
Together We Dine, SMU Law School (Private) - March 30
Together We Dine, SMU Student Organizations/Office of Social Change and Intercultural Engagement (Private) - March/April
Together We Lunch & Panel, hosted by the Dallas Bar Association (Public) - May 11, 12 - 1:30 p.m., Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX
Together We Lunch, Faith Forward Dallas (Private) - May 19
Together We Lunch, Interfaith Council (Private) - September 14
Together We Lunch (Public) - November 9, 12 - 1:30 p.m., Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX

Pastor Richie Butler's Public Engagements

Deliver remarks at the MLK, Jr. Day Shabbat on January 17, 6 p.m.
Panelist at the Come.Unity 2020 on January 19, 6 – 8 p.m.
Plenary Speaker at the African-American Pastors Coalition at Concord Baptist Church, January 20
Speaker at the Methodist Women at Lunch at HPUMC on February 3

New Office Announcement

Project Unity is excited to announce that we have a new office! We now have office space in a unique non-profit co-op at Mockingbird Community Church. Mockingbird Community Church decided to create Mockingbird Community Collaborative; a space where non-profits can not only share office space, but also ideas, and support and work in partnership with each other.

Currently, there are three non-profits that are part of the MCC — Services of Hope, Unite Dallas and Project Unity. Project Unity is excited to be part of this collaborative effort, keeping with our mission of building bridges.

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