Red Boot Coalition founder to speak on building genuine human interaction

Charlotte native and coalition leader Molly Barker believes in one thing: compassionate listening. She intends to share that vision when she visits Cincinnati Jan. 20.

It all began when Barker retired from Girls on the Run and went on a cross-country trip from Charlotte to Las Vegas and back, interviewing hundreds of people from all walks of life along the way about our nation’s conversations on hot topics like race, politics and gender. After finding that many people felt unheard and ignored, she founded Red Boot Coalition.

“Red Boot is simply about providing a place for people to share their journey and perspectives on being human,” Barker says. “People really need to be heard. We are all yelling, and no one is listening.”

Red Boot, which is just a little more than one year old, focuses on engaging people in a guided process of sharing and listening. No matter the topic, Red Boot provides a simple approach: providing a safe place for human conversation.

Barker will be lead a model Red Boot session when she visits Cincinnati to help attendees unravel negative stereotypes and inspire genuine human interaction.

Do Good:

• Attend the Jan. 20 Red Boot model session at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, 1602 Madison Road, Walnut Hills.

• Learn more about Red Boot and the 11 Steps at its website.

• Find a local meeting in your neighborhood.