In January 2000, the Kalamazoo Northside Ministerial Alliance, Kalamazoo Anti-Racism Alliance (KARA), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)North/West Lower Michigan Synod jointly announced the birth of Eliminating Racism & Creating/Celebrating Equity (ERACCE). Its vision: to eliminate racism in Southwest Michigan. Its method: host and subsidize the most effective antiracism workshops in North America. While the trainings would be open to any institution, the Northside Ministerial Alliance provided direction to offer priority access to local government, faith communities, law enforcement and justice system, educational institutions, and health organizations.