"Collective Visioning" author in Charlotte

N.C. native Linda Stout has spent her life working for social justice and a better world. Now, in her new book, "Collective Visioning," the former director of Kannapolis' Piedmont Peace Project gives readers practical, concrete ways to bring people together to work for common goals.

Stout, who divides her time between Asheville and Massachusetts, will sign books 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 24, at Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road.

A Quaker, Stout grew up in poverty in North Carolina. She won national acclaim for her work with the Piedmont Peace Project, which focused on issues including literacy, voter registration and job opportunities. She's now founder and director of Spirit in Action.

She's on a 27-city tour to promote her new book, which includes strategies and exercises designed to help diverse groups work together for a collective vision. "I wanted to show people how you can break through differences and create a space that's welcome to all voices," she told me.

While in Charlotte, she'll also conduct workshops at the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly, meeting in Charlotte for its 50th anniversary.