Pastor Dr. Funmi Adeyemi, DTL, is the president of Hope for You Inc., a humanitarian organization that promotes corporate social responsibilities for over 800 churches of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, North America operations. She is an experienced international speaker, missionary, and community organizer, and advocate. Funmilayo Adeyemi is a seasoned influencer and advocate for integral missions, eliminating poverty and restoring the power of hope through welfare programs and education, advocacy, and social justice. She pioneered Hope For You in March 2014, and currently serves as the President of the organization. Her responsibilities include developing strategies and providing direction for programs and running of the organization. She coordinates community/social services for over 900 churches that are affiliated with the parent organization of HFY, among other things. Funmilayo obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington TX, and followed with a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX. She received her PhD in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University Dallas in 2014 and has worked in various organizations from church missions to child healthcare and child case management, as well as immigrant policy advocacy. She is a Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mansfield, TX. She also currently serves and an active member of the Society for Nonprofits; Bread for the World; and Christian Churches Together (CCT).
Ms. Abiola Afolayan is the new Senior International Policy Advisor at Bread for the World. She brings over 10 years of international and legal experience. She returned to DC after over three years in Europe, Africa and the Middle East with the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP). Her prior foreign affairs, legislative and public diplomacy experience includes as: Foreign Affairs and Women’s Issues Advisor for a senior member of Congress on Capitol Hill; at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and with the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, among other roles. She recently completed a book entitled “A Seat at the Table for Women, Girls and Movements: A Manifesto on Peace and Security.” Her trade, humanitarian, development, peace and security field work with the UN, non-governmental organizations in Kenya and Sierra Leone and Ghana is also extensive.
Rev. Professor Dorothy BEA Akoto, PhD is a Ghanaian Professor of Biblical Hebrew, Old Testament and Gender Studies lecturing since 2000. She is the Immediate past (first female) Vice President of Trinity Theological Seminary (TTS), Legon, Accra. 2020-2023. She served as Academic Dean of TTS, Legon 2018-
2020. She was Adjunct “Professor” of Hebrew Bible at the Interdenominational Theological Center (I.T.C.) in Atlanta, GA (USA), 2012-2014. She was Visiting Lecturer at McCormick Theological Seminary (MTS), Chicago, IL, USA. 2010-2011. She is an Ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament; of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) since 2020 and Minister of PC(USA) in Specialised Ministry since 2007. She has pastored congregations since 2000. She has taught English Language and Literature and trained several teachers in various Primary, Middle, Junior High, Senior High/Secondary Schools and Colleges. 1982-1992. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Hebrew Bible, Culture and Hermeneutics from Chicago Theological Seminary (C.T.S.), Chicago, IL, USA. 2012, Master of Theology (MTh) from UNION-PSCE, Richmond, VA, USA. 2007 and Master of Theology (MTh) from Emory Candler School of Theology (C.T.S.), Decatur, GA, USA. 1997,Master of Divinity (MDiv), from the I.T.C. Atlanta, GA, USA. 1996 and Master of Arts in Christian Education (MACE) from ITC, USA. 1996. She is a leader with the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians and Africa Biblical Hermeneutics of Society of Biblical Literature (ABH of SBL). She has published Books, Articles in books and Academic Journals in Africa, the USA and Europe.
Rev. Rochelle Andrews is the associate director for the Center for Public Theology.Rochelle Andrews, a 2018 M.Div. graduate of Wesley (w/concentration in Public Theology) will begin her tenure with us as Assistant Director, Center for Public Theology, on December 12th. Rochelle comes to us with over twenty years of experience in executive project management in both the public and private sectors. She is passionate about public theology and creating ways to amplify voices of people of faith seeking justice as well as promoting healthy dialogue.
Minister Ryan Lindsay Arrendell is a preacher, writer, entrepreneur, and Emmy-award-winning journalist. She believes in storytelling for healing and change and contributes to The Christian Citizen. Researching Christian women’s experiences with abortion, she aims to create pastoral and spiritual care guides. Her upcoming book, “Mine The Unseen,” explores abortion as a healing pathway for Black Christian women.A Yale Divinity School graduate, Min. Ryan Lindsay serves at Double Love Experience Church in Brooklyn, NY, where she will be ordained in Nov. 2024. Originally from Washington, D.C., she began preaching at Zion Baptist Church as a teenager. She is the daughter of Rev. Donna and Edward Carlton II and has two angels, Joi and Merci. Her guiding scripture is Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”
Ms. Vanessa Barboza is a PhD student in Sciences of Religion (UMESP), Master in Education, Identities and Cultures at (UFRPE/FUNDAJ), postgraduate in Social Assistance Policy Management (UNICAP) and Bachelor in Social Work (UFPE). She is a professional passionate about training processes and collective practices, education and citizenship. She works autonomously through the Dagbá Aprezagens brand, I was a Social Mobilizer at the NGO Nossas, in the Mapa do Acolhimento project and a member of the Inspired Individuals Program of the NGO Tearfund (UK) which is a global program to encourage social leaders involved in humanitarian causes. Between 2020-2021 she was a leader supported by the Baobá Fund through the 1st Marielle Franco Black Female Leadership Acceleration Program and for the development of activities in political-pedagogical advisory and social research in the defense of human rights, racial and gender equity and strengthening of democracy. Other professional experiences are in teaching higher education in Social Work courses (regular form of Distance Learning), political-pedagogical advice in independent social organizations, management of social services in the public service and consultancy.
Reverend Barbara Breland is the founding pastor of Destiny Temple of Faith UCC, a new church plant in Alexandria, Virginia. She is also the former Designated Pastor of Lincoln Congregational Temple UCC in Washington, DC. Reverend Breland was ordained to the ministry in 1995 in the African Methodist Episcopal Church where she served First AME Church of Alexandria, VA and Adam’s Inspirational AME Church in Clinton, MD. She wore a variety of hats at both churches. While at First AME Church of Alexandria she was a Sunday school teacher, she sang in the choir, the director of the Young People’s Department and the Financial Secretary. Reverend Breland started the women’s ministry at First AME, “WAR” (Women Armed for Righteousness). Adam’s Inspirational AME Church she was the assistant pastor and chaired the Stewardship and Finance Committee. In 2001 she was featured in the “Black Women in Ministry Calendar” and in March 2003, she was recognized by Freddie Mac as a “Woman in Peace Making” in commemoration of Women’s month. She has a Master’s of Divinity degree from Howard University in Washington, DC and Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting, from Long Island, University in Brooklyn, New York. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Rev. Dr. Naomi Jordan Cook is a licensed minister under Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan and is a part of the Zoe Ministries Church in New York. Cook is the founder and co-owner of The Virtual Global Consultant (VGC) Group. The company designs and develops e-commerce systems that help generate revenue online for companies and customizes digital platforms and software that make shipping and collecting payment easier for businesses in emerging markets. She is responsible for helping to generate millions of dollars a year in at-will donations and business sales for her clients, with a special focus on faith-based organizations and African-based companies.
Rev. Dr. Ericka Elion is Founder and President of Ericka Elion, LLC which is an interdisciplinary team of industry-specific experts who partners with businesses to provide professional strategies and implement actionable solutions that aid in the sustainability of the organization. Their goal as a global consulting agency is to stimulate the economic growth and social impact for all our organizational partners. Ericka Elion, LLCs vision is to increase the bandwidth of businesses so they can better serve their constituency. Our purpose is to embolden organizational and business leaders to be mindful of their communal footprint. They guide our partners to intentionally demonstrate and implement the following foundational touch points that includes community impact, values, adaptability and business vision. She received a Doctoral in Ministry from New York Theological Seminary. She sits on the North America Governing Board of the Pan African Women’s Ecumenical Empowerment Network (PAWEEN).Dr. Elion is also the Creator of Miriam House and the former Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Samael DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc. She has also studied globally in ecumenical and interfaith environments, as well as served in the United States Navy as Cryptologic Technician.
Ms. Florence French Fagan is the Florida Senior Organizer with Bread for the World. Florence has 10 years of experience working in the non-profit management industry. Florence focuses her energy on building coalitions and community-based partnerships that make a life-changing impact on local and state levels while drawing support from the federal government. Florence mobilizes and organizes individuals and coalitions across the state to advocate for equitable programs and policies that will end hunger and poverty.
Dr. Beverly Goines is a native of the Washington Metropolitan area, Reverend Beverly Goines, Ph.D., is committed to the ecumenical and interfaith movement as a means to repair the political, social, and economic fractures that have been caused by religious intolerance. Her research examines the mosaic of the American pluralist religious scene by focusing on the different ethical approaches that exist within the ecumenical movement. It brings to light the connection between ecumenism and social and race consciousness in black denominations; it provides insight into what prompts black churches to participate in ecumenical activity with the very denominations from which they broke away; and it engages different academic and theological worlds by building bridges that expose avenues for
communication and understanding to groups of people who have histories of misunderstanding. Dr. Goines earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Writing from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity. She also earned a Master of Philosophy
and a Doctor of Philosophy in Religion and Culture from The Catholic University of America. She taught Jewish-Christian Relations at The Catholic University of America and worked in the Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust department of the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum. She was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Georgetown University. Dr. Goines is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor at Georgetown University.
Rev. Dr. Dionne Gravesande is Head of Church Advocacy at Christian Aid, she is part of the Policy and Public Affairs Dept. Christian Aid is the official relief, development and advocacy agency of 41 sponsoring churches in Britain and Ireland, and it is part of the worldwide church community. Christian Aid’s work is founded on Christian faith and powered by hope. It acts to change an unjust world by providing practical love and care for neighbors in need. It is driven by the gospel of good news to the poor, and inspired by the vision of a new Earth where everyone lives in justice, peace and plenty. Dionne is responsible for leading the department’s work on faith and development in the context of global policy and advocacy priorities. Her work is embedded in the organisation’s mandate to to expose the scandal of poverty and to challenge and change structures and systems that favour the rich and powerful over the poor and marginalised. Dionne a regular contributor to the Keep the Faith magazine which is a non-denominational publication aimed at a Pentecostal and Evangelical audience.
Ms. Joyce Y. Kang is Senior International Policy Advisor at Bread for the World. She is passionate about making a positive impact on the world and empowering people in that work. Her experience includes almost 9 years in U.S. federal government conducting oversight and managing projects evaluating U.S. government programs and processes, with a focus on international issues. She supported agency-wide diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts, both internally as an adjunct instructor and certified facilitator, and externally through recruitment. She transitioned to the advocacy space to provide organizational leadership and policy expertise on the structural causes of global hunger, with a particular emphasis on global food security and nutrition, and the role of international financial
institutions. In my spare time, I volunteer with organizations supporting those experiencing homelessness, underserved youth, and ushering at a regional theater.
Dr Mutale Mulenga Kaunda (PhD Gender and Religion, University of KwaZulu-Natal) is an adjunct scholar and research fellow at the United Church of Zambia University. She currently resides in South Korea and is highly engaged in various ecumenical spaces as a speaker. Dr Mulenga-Kaunda has published journal articles and book chapters focusing on the intersection of gender, sexuality, religion, ecumenism, culture and women’s work in Africa. She is a member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians and Pan African Women of faith/PAWEEN.
Dr. Selenir Kronbauer is an assistant professor at the Escola Superior de Teologia-EST in Brazil, coordinator of the Grupo Identidade and editor of the Periodical Identity! (2005-2021). Executive Secretary of the World Forum on Theology and Liberation/WFTL (2018-2021). He has experience in the area of Education: Basic Education, Professional Education and Higher Education (Graduate and PostGraduate), mainly in the following subjects: Teacher Training, Educational Management, Supervisory Action, diversity, black people and education, education, theology and society and religion and education. She graduated in Pedagogy from Centro Universitário Feevale Novo Hamburgo (1997), Specialization in School Supervision from UFRJ, Master’s in Theology, Religion and Education from Escola Superior de Teologia (2005) and an MBA in Educational Management from FACOS (2015).
Rev. Dr. Everdith Landrau, also known as Evie, was delighted to join the ELCA as program director, ELCA World Hunger networks and engagement in the past year. She is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rio by way of Manhattan (Spanish Harlem), New York. Everdith is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament with the Presbyterian Church, (USA). Her service to the Church has taken different forms, including: ecumenical leadership, inter-faith relations, networking, organizing, youth and young adult ministry, art/healing movements and food justice and advocacy work. Landrau was born in Puerto Rico and moved with her family to Harlem, New York, at the age of five. “Although the move was painful, in Harlem I encountered diversity like none other,” she says. Landrau received her B.A. from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and her M.Div. from Duke University. She is a candidate for a D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary. Landrau is a minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Most recently she served as part-time youth director at Paw Creek Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, while teaching dance and global studies at a middle school. Landrau’s ecumenical journey began shortly after college when she traveled to Geneva. She is now a member of the World Council of Churches’ Central Committee. In that position Landrau helped found the Pan African Women’s Ecumenical Empowerment Network (PAWEEN), a new WCC initiative seeks to build community among women of Pan-African descent through study, spiritual reflection, and action.
Ms. Carmella McKeller is a former Wall Street business systems consultant, an analyst, project manager, and business consultant. She is the chief operating officer of the nonprofit Different Spirit Student Advocacy and the administrator of RKS Law in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She was a candidate for the District 6 seat on the Cumberland County Board of Education in North Carolina. McKeller has volunteered in the school district as a member of the PTA, a classroom volunteer, and as a member of the school improvement team.
Dr. Fulata Lusungu (Mbano) Moyo (PhD) is an experienced Ethnographic Researcher, she applies her PhD in Feminist Ethics and her extensive experience in gender and human rights research, analysis, and advocacy to address the root causes and consequences of social injustices, such as human trafficking, gender-based violence, and HIV/AIDS. She has over 12 years of track record in developing and managing projects and programs that use intersectionality analysis and the SDGs framework to empower inclusive communities in various contexts and cultures. She is also the founder and President of ThimlelaSTREAM, a Malawi-registered not-for-profit Organisation that provides holistic accompaniment to female survivors of human trafficking, using the Healing Together resource that I co-developed with the World Council of Churches, and Healing of Memories where every story deserves a listener (IHOM/Healing of Memories Luxembourg). She is a feminist ethicist of ubuntu, a logotherapy student, and a humorous storyteller that uses humor for social justice. She is passionate about using my skills, writings and publications to facilitate healing, resilience, advocacy for accountability and transparency and life-giving transformation in individuals and communities.
Dr. Pauline Muchina, originally from Rift Valley Province in Kenya, came to the U.S. for studies that culminated in a Ph.D. in 2000. Now based in Washington, DC, she currently serves as the Policy, Education, and Advocacy Coordinator for Africa at the American Friends Service Committee, as well as chairing the COVID-19 Working Group at the Advocacy Network for Africa. Earlier in her career, she served for over seven years as the Senior Partnership Advisor for UNAIDS. She also serves on several boards and advisory groups including the Global Room for Women; Jubilee USA; and the Center for Health and Hope. Pauline is the founder of Future African Leaders’ Project, designed to support promising African youth who face serious challenges in getting an education and maintaining their health. In 2011, Pauline received the United Methodist Church Global Leadership Award. In 2014, the Huffington Post honored Pauline as one of 50 women powerful international religious leaders. She holds a master’s degree from the Yale University Divinity School and a Ph.D. from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
Mr. Emma W. Murangiri is currently the Technical Advisor to the Cabinet Secretary-Minister of Agriculture & Livestock Development under Crops Development and Agriculture Research. For over 25 years of work, Emma has extensively, locally, regionally & internationally, advocated for collective action through integration of students and young members of the society in seeking, innovating and implementing sustainable solutions to the seemingly never-ending and sometimes recurrent challenges facing humanity today, most affected being Persons at the Bottom of the Pyramid and the millions of Jobless and Underemployed Youth in Sub Sahara Africa today. Her work is guided by the belief that processes that do not culminate into tangible and measurable results are not worth the society’s time, Emma worked as the Director of Communications at Africa Network for Animal Welfare. She has served as the General Manager for Sokopepe Limited, given considerable years of work as Manager, Technical Training & Research at SACDEP-Kenya, worked extensively as International Communications Officer at Kenya Network for Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies [KENDAT], as well as holding office as the 2nd National Coordinator for Prolinnova- Kenya Chapter whose mandate is one of Promoting Local Innovations for Small Holder Farmers and Youth in Agribusiness. Emma studied at Egerton University, University of California-Santa Cruz, Wageningen University and Alabama A&M University-College of Agriculture, Life and Natural Sciences.
Rev. Maria do Carmo Moreira Lima, also known as Kaká Omowalê, a name given to me by the women of a rural Methodist Church in Benin, Africa, in 1995. Since adolescence, he has supported young people and teenagers suffering from chemical dependency. In 1991, while a seminarian, she worked as a Social Educator serving homeless people in the city center of Rio de Janeiro. And for this work, in 1993, she was invited by the Public Defender’s Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro to start Religious Assistance for teenagers in an institution deprived of liberty. Where you can build your Pastoral Ministry in 1994 with teenagers in deprivation and restriction of freedom. In 1995, with fellow Pastors and Theologians, she founded “AGAR – Sociedade Theologia de Mulheres Negras”. Organizing Theological Meetings, Liturgical Celebrations, activities with the Rio de Janeiro Black Women’s Movement, etc. He participated in the World Council of Churches as a Member of Red Sisters, also in the Assembly of the Latin American Council-CLAI, Colombia and in the Theological Meeting between Pastors and Theologians in Angola. She contributed to different activities with the Corporate Groups of Women, Children and Young People of the Methodist Church of Brazil, in addition to producing texts for Theological Magazines of the Methodist College of Brazil. In 2003 she was Special Advisor at the State Secretariat for Human Rights. During this period, he collaborated with the construction of AMAR – Association of Mothers and Friends of Children and Adolescents – RJ Due to the activities carried out over these years, she received the Title of Citizen of the State of RJ (2002), and the Tiradentes Medal (2019), the highest honor in the State of Rio de Janeiro.
Ms. Carla Cristiane Ribeiro, Brazilian, lives in Sao Paulo, currently Security Information Analyst and 2nd secretary from Rede de Mulheres Negras Evangélicas.
Dr. Christine M. Sequenzia is Senior International Policy Analyst at Bread for the World. Dr. Christine M. Sequenzia is a trusted government relations and business development professional who successfully transitioned her legislative experience working for the U.S. Congress into careers with several of the largest global humanitarian nonprofit organizations. She is a strategic advocate, impassioned speaker, and fervent friend of the exploited and marginalized. Dr. Sequenzia’s experience is primarily with addressing human rights issues including international development, religious freedom and human trafficking by engaging global governments, civil society, and corporations. Dr. Sequenzia has served survivors of terrorism in the Middle East, directed projects in economically deprived regions of Southeast Asia, managed medical teams serving Central American women and girls caught in sexual exploitation, and successfully led multidisciplinary teams toward human rights policy wins at the recent United Nations General Assembly. Dr. Sequenzia is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary, earning both a Doctorate of Ministry and a Master of Divinity in international development and political theology. She also received a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University and completed Cornell University’s High-Performance Leadership program.
Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith is Strategist for Pan African and Orthodox Faith Engagement at Bread for the World in Washington D.C. where she has represented Bread at the third Thursdays sessions and related events. She brings extensive global, national and local experience as a faith and public engagement thought leader, journalist, speaker, broadcaster, scholar, preacher and author. Recently she was elected President of World Council of Churches from North America becoming the first Baptist WCC President and the first woman from the Historic Black Churches elected in this role. She has served as Ecumenical Liaison for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and is a Board Member of their Home Mission Board. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University. She also received her graduate degree, the Master of Divinity, from Yale University Divinity School and doctoral degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Ms. Emira Woods, originally from Liberia, is a global justice strategist and advocate focused on people and the planet. She brings an intersectional lens to her work as an environmentalist and political activist specializing in social impact and innovation. Emira uses her skills to advance human dignity and social justice. As the Executive Director of Green Leadership Trust, Emira works at the nexus of race, governance, and climate justice. Green Leadership Trust strengthens environmental organizations and foundations by building more diverse, equitable, and inclusive governing boards and senior leadership across the sector. Prior to this role, Emira served as Senior Advisor at the Shine Campaign, a community of practice with philanthropists, faith and values-driven agencies catalyzing investment in women-led, community based renewable energy initiatives around the world. Ms. Woods worked for 11 years as a public scholar and Director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the progressive think tank, The Institute for Policy Studies. She remains an Associate Fellow of the Institute, providing thought leadership on issues related to peace, justice, and the environment. Emira has also served as Africa Program Officer at Oxfam America and Manager of Development Policy and Practice at InterAction, the U.S. network of international development and humanitarian organizations.