Raleigh Pilgrimage

Transformation is at the heart of the Raleigh Pilgrimage. It is not a mere experience or service project; it is a journey where God challenges, confronts, and stirs us to become restored and renewed. Join us and be changed in the way you know yourself, the city, and God.

Reflection is a gift that takes us beyond assumptions and biases. In moments of silence and listening, we hear God's still, soft voice. Throughout the pilgrimage, we create space for individual and group reflection.

Stories are the threads that weave our lives and connect us to God's overarching narrative. On the Raleigh Pilgrimage, we embrace individual stories within the context of Raleigh's larger story. Let your own story unfold and ignite a sense of pilgrimage in everyday life.

Places hold stories and shape us more than we realize. During the pilgrimage, we explore the stories and culture woven into the fabric of Raleigh. We see how God forms us through the concrete realities of place.

Encounter is at the heart of the Raleigh Pilgrimage. Through close connections and open hearts, we journey together, listening and receiving, allowing God to work through the places we enter.

Calling all Pilgrimage alumni! We want to hear from you. Share your most memorable moments, reflections, and transformative experiences from the Raleigh Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope in the comments below. Your stories inspire and encourage others to embark on this meaningful journey.

Let's continue the conversation and build a community of pilgrims.

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On this Earth Day, we reflect on Psalm 24:1-2 and remember that the earth is the Lord's and all that is in it. We commit to treating the earth as the sacred gift that it is. Let us all do our part to protect and care for this beautiful planet that God has entrusted to us.

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Some testimonials from our last Raleigh Pilgrimage of Pain & Hope!

Have you noticed this historical home downtown? -

If you don't pay attention you may miss this historical home that is vital to the history of Raleigh.

"The Pope House Museum, built in 1901, is located in downtown Raleigh mere blocks away from the capitol building.

As the only African-American house museum in the state of North Carolina, the Pope House offers a glimpse into the life of one of Raleigh’s most intriguing citizens, Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope, who was the only African-American man to run for mayor of a Southern capital in the midst of the Jim Crow Era.

The house features the original furnishings of the family and many historical artifacts giving insight into a remarkable man and family." (raleighnc.gov)

Black History -

Have you heard of Clarence Lightner?




Clarence Everett Lightner, was the first popularly elected mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, and the first African American elected mayor of a metropolitan Southern city.

After the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Lightner was one of the first African Americans elected to political office. He promoted his business and community leadership as qualifications for a seat on the Raleigh City Council, which he won in 1967. Lightner served on the City Council from 1967 to 1973. In 1973 Lightner was elected mayor, defeating white businessman G. Wesley Williams. Lightner was elected in the same year but just months before Maynard Jackson won the mayor’s office in Atlanta, Georgia. Jackson’s achievement in a larger city overshadowed the historic significance of Lightner’s election. Lightner became a charter member of the Southern Conference of Black Mayors, a parent organization of the National Conference of Black Mayors.

Elections for mayor in Raleigh are held every two years and Lightner, a Democrat, was its mayor from 1973 to 1975. To date, Lightner has been the only African American mayor of Raleigh. His election did draw some national attention because only 16% percent of the registered voters in Raleigh were black, and in the mid-1970s it was indeed rare for a majority of Southern white voters to elect an African American to any office. (BLACK PAST)

Black History -

Have you heard of Calvin Lightner?

An Architect and Raeigh's First Black Licensed Mortician

Calvin Lighter was an architect, building contractor, and Raleigh’s first black licensed mortician. Mr. Lightner designed and constructed commercial buildings in Durham, throughout Raleigh, and along Black Main Street including the 1919 Lightner Office Building and the 1921 Lightner Arcade and Hotel.

His investments and influence attracted more Black-owned businesses to East Hargett Street making it a destination for Black business and life.

On Our Raleigh Pilgrimage, we take time to understand the history of Black Main Street and its impact on the city.

A Note From

“Thank you for your support for Historic Black Neighborhoods of Raleigh.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), we have sold out of the first batch of books for pre-order.

To get on an email list for the next order, please email [email protected] with your name, address and email address. I'll notify you when the next boxes arrive.

I will be at the Cary Kwanzaa festival on December 30, the City of Raleigh Museum's Emancipation Festival on January 7, and presenting, signing and selling books at the NC Museum of History's African American Cultural Celebration on January 28.

This journey has been nothing short of amazing.”

"You can continue to work for
supremacy against the image of God
on earth…resist equity.....justice.
mercy.you can wage war or you can
lean into the truth, lean into healing,
repentance, and repair, and allow
yourselves to be released and
forgiven."

Quote from

Repost

Looking for weekend plans?

Support our friends in Southeast Raleigh

In our most recent Pilgrimage we had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Demetrius Hunter and his family on their vision and mission for

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to a little more than a month ago when we had our 2nd Soft Launch pilgrimage!

As we continue to build out this experience our hope is that is transformative in the journey to understanding history and working towards harmony and reconciliation.

Be on the lookout for details for next years schedule soon!

In our two soft launch pilgrimages, we hosted close to 40 individuals who gave us great feedback to make this pilgrimage all the more impactful next year. Looking ahead to 2023, we are looking forward to hosting more groups and individuals on this pilgrimage. We have set out to raise $5,000 this giving season, which would allow about 15 participants to attend a pilgrimage at no cost. This Giving Tuesday, would you consider donating to our scholarship fund to allow others to experience the Raleigh Pilgrimage of Pain & Hope?

Join this Friday night as she will be sharing passages and answering questions about her upcoming book, "Historic Black Neighborhoods of Raleigh".

This is part of the "Giving Black Raleigh Her Flowers" exhibit curated by .has.words of that is at the James Cheek Resource Center at Shaw University. The event is scheduled for 6-8 pm. Books will be available for pre-order there as well.

More pictures from our inaugural Raleigh Pilgrimage!

As we encountered different places of history this past weekend, the question we continued to ask throughout the pilgrimage is “whose story is being told and whose story is not being told?”

This past weekend was our First Launch pilgrimage. It was an engaging and challenging experience that we will share more details in coming post.

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Raleigh Pilgrimage updated their business hours.

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