Meet Steve Swayne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Swayne.

Hi Steve, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in California and graduated from Claremont McKenna College. After college, I worked in the NBA for 7 years for the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat. After that, it was a 6-year stint with Young Life working with youth and running a high school camp.

During that time, I met my wife Laura whom we have been married to for 21 years and have 4 children ages 18, 17, and twins that are 15. Following that, I helped start a publishing business that was sold in 2007. We moved to Raleigh where I have been since 2008. In 2008, I started working at StepUp, a non-profit that assists low-income people with job and life skills training.

At that point, I took a Racial Equity class and it turned my thinking and actions to intentionally working to dismantle structural racism at every turn. Whether it be living-wage work, black entrepreneurship, black ownership, and social justice, that became a large part of my life through today.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course not. I believe that all people will go through suffering.

The key is how you suffer. The key is the road less traveled. For me, that happened 10 years ago when my wife and I reached rock bottom in our marriage.  We both made major mistakes with each other.  In that, our broken marriage literally broke me and made me work a ton on my authentic and vulnerable self.

Over the 10 years, my wife and I have restored our marriage and are best friends again.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about St. Francis Springs?
St. Francis Springs is a 140 acre, 32 bedroom retreat center 30 minutes north of Greensboro designed to allow people with contemplation and justice. The Center exists to provide people the space to rest, contemplate, reflect and hopefully reconcile life and situations.

What matters most to you?
What matters to me the most is seeing people become part of the “Beloved Community.” A place where ALL are loved, where ALL matter, and where ALL exist with the common goal of communal growth.

Pricing:

• $100 a night with 3 meals at St. Francis Springs Sunday to Thursday, $150 for Friday and Saturday night.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.stfrancissprings.com
• Instagram: @stfrancissprings
• Facebook: St. Francis Springs