Mary Olson, Ph.D.

"The entire Bible was written in an attempt to overcome racism, sexism, and classism. We are heirs to the failure of the Biblical Era," New Testament scholar and colleague Larry Welborn said. In his statement was embedded our challenge to continue to complete God's work in God's creation.

At United Theological Seminary, we continued the journey by growing a doctoral program from one African American student to the fourth-largest doctoral program for African Americans and seventh for all people of color while I was dean.

At Philander Smith College we continued the journey with programs for students of all backgrounds while I was assisting the president.

In the Arkansas Delta, Naomi Cottoms and I established Tri-County Rural Health Network to continue the journey by connecting people in need to health resources. Now in Elaine, Arkansas, I am working with descendants of the Elaine Massacre of 1919 to replace 100 years of poverty with incomes and wealth accumulation by building on historical tourism.

I am a United Methodist clergy appointed to Waves of Prayer in Elaine, a congregation of Mexican Americans and African Americans.

My input into Ending Racism USA is as one recognizing the challenge, as one of being God's hands, and as one being God's feet in the world today.