Starting The R Word Blog
July, 2025
Dear Friends and Fellow Good Trouble Makers,
We were sad to stop The R Word podcast; however, we are happy to start The R Word blog, where we will share what The Zacchaeus Foundation is doing with you!
Here, we will share:
Our vision and mission
A review of what we have done
A preview of what we will do
A fund update
A reflection
Vision and Mission
The Zacchaeus Foundation is a non-profit named for Zacchaeus, who repented, repaired, and was healed.
We are working for racial healing in Northwest Arkansas (our vision).
We are repairing truth, wealth, and power (our mission).
We repair truth by educating and raising funds from white people and churches. We started The R Word podcast and events.
We repair wealth by investing in Black-led non-profits. We started The Zacchaeus Fund for Black-led non-profits.
We repair power by empowering Black people to decide who receives funds. Black board members decide who receives funds.
Review
In March, we hosted an event with Dr. Robert Jones, who discussed his book White Too Long (available at Fayetteville Public Library and Pearl’s Books) at Fayetteville Public Library. Watch the event below.
In June, we hosted an event with Robin Rue Simmons, who led a racial equity training on zoom. We recorded the training in May, and released it three times in June, at different places.
When asked what they heard, attendees answered:
“There is hope for reparations in Fayetteville. It is a process, not a single event. More than 100 cities are working on reparations.”
“There is a moral and legal case for reparations. It is both urgent and work that future generations will have to continue.”
“Do something now.”
Watch the event below.
Preview
In September, we will host an event with Robin Rue Simmons, who will continue the racial equity training started in June. Robin will be with us in person on Saturday, September 6 from 3 to 5 pm at St. Paul’s church. Rsvp here.
The Zacchaeus Fund Update
The Zacchaeus Fund for Black-led non-profits is a donor advised fund held by Arkansas Community Foundation. The advisors of The Zacchaeus Fund are the Black board members of The Zacchaeus Foundation.
Our short-term goal is to raise $100,000 in 2025, which will enable us to invest $50,000 in a Black-led non-profit in 2026.
Our long-term goal is to raise an endowment of $1.4M by 2035, which will enable us to invest $50,000 in Black-led non-profits annually, perpetually.
On Juneteenth, we issued a $5,000 match challenge: an individual in our community invested $5,000, and challenged others to invest, too. The challenge was met! We raised $5,000 between Juneteenth and July 1, and have raised $70,000 total.
To help us raise $100,000 in 2025, invest in The Zacchaeus Fund here.
Reflection
In March, our friend and teacher Dr. Robert Jones wrote a blog post, “Talking about the ‘R Word’ in the South,” reflecting on his time here with us. Read Robert’s reflection here.
Thanks for reading The R Word!
With hope for healing,
Lowell Taylor