Dr. Richard Guzman

The Northern Illinois Conference Anti-Racism Task Force is pleased to announce North Central College professor emeritus Dr. Richard Guzman is coming on board as a consultant. 

Guzman taught and still occasionally teaches courses in writing, literature, race, and ethnicity, and leadership for social change. He has been a speaker and consultant on issues of writing and diversity in many organizations and corporations and was honored by the State of Illinois for developing a diversity plan for one of its major school districts.

He is a member of Friendship United Methodist Church in Bolingbrook where he has chaired the Church Council, is coordinator of its Daybreak homeless shelter program, and occasionally preaches and plays keyboard in the worship band. He is active in several of the Northern Illinois Conference’s anti-racism projects, including chairing the committee that developed its anti-racism workshop “Becoming the Beloved Community.” He was one of the four panelists for the Laity Convocation in 2020 addressing systemic racism. 

NIC Shepherding Team Project Manager Amania Drane said Guzman will work to provide academically-supported strategies for addressing systemic racism that are Biblically grounded and Wesleyan-rooted. 

“In addition, his 40+ years as an author, professor, and expert on racial matters, he will provide visionary and insightful advice to help with implementing the Task Force’s strategic goals,” said Drane.

Shepherding Team Co-Chair Rev. Myron McCoy welcomes Guzman to the team. “We look forward to Richard joining us in seeking to lead and guide the Anti-Racism Task Force’s efforts in addressing the unfinished agenda in our churches and communities,” said Rev. McCoy.

Guzman says he's ready to get to work. "We need endurance, courage, and a sense of oneness with each other and our God to keep up the long fight against racism," said Guzman. "I hope to help in any way I can to encourage these qualities to flourish among us."

To find out more on the Anti-Racism Task Force, visit umcnic.org/antiracism.