"We are not a colorless Army, we are a colorful Army."

- Karen Young

Central Territory Commissioner Brad Bailey’s statement on racism, June 2020.

Headshot photograph of a smiling middle aged African American woman wearing a light green button-down shirt, crème color cardigan, and green scarf.Karen Young
Intercultural Ministries Specialist 

An employee and professional at the Central Territory Headquarters in Hoffman Estates, IL., Karen Young has been instrumental in making changes in the Intercultural Ministries Department for more than twenty years.

As a member of the Intercultural Ministries Department, Karen strives to develop and provide resources for Salvation Army officers and employees to help them understand and embrace the world’s cultural differences. Recently, Karen developed a workshop that helps people recognize implicit biases, a belief system that associates stereotypes with a group of people without conscious knowledge.

Resource Guide, Sacred Conversations on Race, Culture, and Reconciliation
2017

This resource guide developed by the Intercultural Ministries Department to help facilitate gracious conversations around complex and critical issues. The guide utilizes the communication guidelines of:

R – taking Responsibility for what you say without blaming others
E – use Empathetic listening
S – be Sensitive to differences in communication styles
P – Ponder what you hear and feel before you speak
E – Examine your own assumptions and perceptions
C – keep Confidentiality
T – Trust ambiguity because we are not here to debate who is right or wrong, to engage in meaningful conversations.

Gift of Intercultural Ministries Department

Manual, Culture 101- Embracing Cultural Differences
2016

Developed by the Intercultural Ministries Department, the manual Culture 101-Embracing Cultural Differences in conjunction with videos provides training to Salvation Army leadership to gain more cultural competence in their ministry.

Museum Collection

Photograph of a wood nutcracker. It is in the shape of an African American Salvation Army Soldier (church member) playing a cornett. The nutcracker wears a long overcoat, hat and red scarf. Nutcracker
1998 

This nutcracker represents the type of African American coronet player that both Captain Patricia Williams and corps sergeant-major Sylvia Williams proudly display on their desks at the Milwaukee (Citadel), WI Corps. Often people of color don’t see themselves represented in material goods. Both the captain and sergeant-major rejoiced when they could purchase this limited-edition item through Salvation Army’s Trade Central.

Gift of Betty Kennedy

Color photograph of a middle aged African American woman wearing a jean jacket, blue shirt, and long blue skirt. She is seated in a chair with arms.Priscilla Lewis
Former Territorial Headquarters Receptionist 

Priscilla Lewis has greeted thousands of new officers, cadets, and visitors with a smile and a warm hello. She began her journey with The Salvation Army in 1987 when she took a temporary position for an employee on leave at 860 Dearborn in Chicago. She excelled at her tasks and accepted a job offer in the Property Department. Several officers recognized her abilities and gave her more responsibilities, including covering the front desk and the switchboard.

Priscilla moved with The Salvation Army to 10 W. Algonquin Road, where Major Cheryl Lawry permanently offered her the receptionist position. Thirty-four years later, and one more Salvation Army move to 5550 Prairie Stone Parkway, Priscilla said her last hellos in 2021, before retiring. She reflected on her time with The Salvation Army saying, “I know without a doubt God brought me to the Salvation Army. It has been a pleasure and joy working here.”