About US

Founded in 2019, Building Reconciliation Inclusion Diversity and Gender Equity, LLC (BRIDGE) is an organization that provides equity and inclusion trainings and support to businesses and places of worship that are invested in developing an equitable and inclusive world. Built on the premise that reconciliation is the catalyst and sustainer of inclusion and equity, BRIDGE has embedded reconciliation into every facet of the organization's philosophy, mission, and practices. This is what makes BRIDGE unique to other organizations engaged in the work of equity and inclusion. 

Why reconciliation? Reconciliation requires human beings to recognize one another's humanity—it is as Desmond Tutu states, we are "Human Together." Human together simply means that human beings are "inextricably bound" to one another. What affects you affects me. Human beings are bound together by the adverse effects of injustices, inequities, and practices of exclusion. However, we are also bound together through inclusion, justice, and equity. Human together—reconciliation, compels human beings to be concerned with and engaged in the wellbeing of all humanity for the betterment of society.

BRIDGE is now serving as the temporary home to the Dr. Rufus Burrow Jr. Black Church Leadership Program. Visit the Dr. Rufus Burrow Jr. BCLP pages for more information.

BRIDGE is led by founder and CEO, Rev. Rebecca Burrow, M. Div., a licensed and ordained clergywoman with an extensive career in health and human services. Rev. Rebecca's philosophy of ministry is derived from the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., statement; “Preaching (ministry) is a duel process; on the one hand I must attempt to change the soul of individuals so that their societies may be changed. On the other I must attempt to change the societies so that the individual soul will have a change.” It is Rebecca’s theological belief in the dignity of all human beings that drives her commitment to work towards equity and inclusion that is practiced and valued throughout our institutions and communities. 

Rebecca has helped organizations cultivate their equity and inclusion strategies, programs, and policies for more than ten years. It is her passion and purpose. Throughout her career, Rebecca noticed the sustainability of equity and inclusion (E&I) initiatives often failed due to leadership changes and low employee  engagement. (With new leadership often comes new policies and unfortunately, employees are rarely required to practice E&I.) Taking this into consideration, Rebecca began seeking solutions to the problem of sustainability, which led her to ask, "what's missing in E&I?" The answer, human connectedness, human togetherness, reconciliation. For this reason, reconciliation is the primary tenet and value at BRIDGE. 

Rev. Rebecca holds an Associate of Science degree in Human Services, a Bachelor’s degree in Management, Master of Divinity degree, and currently in the dissertation phase of the Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in Christian Ministry. Her dissertation title is Leadership Ability and Effectiveness of African American Female Pastors as Perceived by their Congregants. Prior to founding BRIDGE, Rebecca worked as a Health Equity Officer, Equity and Inclusion Consultant, Chaplain, and Legislative Advocate for people with disabilities.

Rebecca is the widow of Dr. Rufus Burrow Jr., mother of Brandi (Gregory), Richard, and Sheronn, and affectionately Bibi to her four grandchildren.

BRIDGE offers inclusion and equity trainings and presentations, strategic planning, organizational and places of worship assessments, and reconciliation mediation. BRIDGE also offers other services specific to ministry and spiritual needs.

Our outer circle symbolize a never ending endeavor to be in relationship with one another and the constant motion of equity, inclusion and reconciliation. Our four hands symbolize reconciliation and the connectedness among all human beings.