Springfield—The Healing Racism Institute (HRI) today announced the appointment of

The Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery (TLC) as Interim Director of the initiative,

succeeding Vanessa Otero, who served on the HRI Board before being appointed its

Executive Director. Otero left HRI in February to pursue other opportunities in the

community.

Dr. Curry Avery is recognized as a trailblazer at the intersection of pastoring and

psychology. She currently serves as the pastor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community

Presbyterian Church in Springfield and will serve in the Interim Director position on a

part-time basis while she continues to minister.

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Howard University, a Master of Divinity

from Yale University, and a Ph.D. from Hofstra University.

Dr. Curry Avery is a public speaker, author and retreat leader recognized for her

grounded approach in bridging racial divides in institutions and communities while

promoting racial equity.

HRI is engaged in the process of identifying a permanent director for the over decade-

old initiative that offers intensive two-day Healing Racism seminars as well as an online

program designed around the principles of safety, listening, and transformation in a

healing process. Since its inception over 1,000 individuals have participated in HRI’s

signature two-day program or its multiple-session virtual series.

According to Healing Racism Institute Board Chair Modesto Montero, “On behalf of the

HRI Board I welcome Dr. Curry Avery. She is grounded in the work of racial healing and

has experience in creating spaces for people to recognize the impact that racism has on

all of us. She has a distinguished history of doing transformative work in the field and

she will be a great asset to HRI as we continue these difficult conversations and this

critical work.”

According to Dr. Curry Avery, “I am passionate about the work of racial equity and

social justice. I've been engaged in this work since the early 90s and consider it my

honor to continue the legacy of my ancestors who were committed to making the world

more loving, peaceful, and equitable for all of humanity. Serving as the Interim

Executive Director of HRI affords me the opportunity to expand my sphere of influence

in this area and join a team of individuals who recognize that we are all interconnected

and when one group of individuals hurts, it impacts all other groups. I am excited to join

this dedicated team of advocates."

Dr. Curry Avery has hosted a radio program “Dismantle Racism with the Rev. Dr. TLC,”

and is the author of Dismantling Racism: Healing Separation from the Inside Out.

HRI hosts public in-person and virtual seminars and also private seminars and

programs for interested organizations or companies. Its signature two-day in-person

seminar, held from 8:30am-4:30pm each day, is held at Springfield Technology Park,

and its virtual series consists of five two-hour sessions.



Upcoming two-day in-person seminars include April 24 and April 25; May 22 and May

23; and June 27 and June 28. Virtual series dates will be forthcoming.

The cost for the two-day program is $475 and those interested can register at

www.healingracismpv.org/seminars. Scholarships are available to those with financial

need. The Healing Racism Institute was formed in 2012 by a group of local leaders and

is modeled after similar programs that have been established nationwide including an

Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which has served as a model for the local initiative.