Join us on Thursday, July 20, 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT, for a presentation entitled “Building Beloved Community and Boots on the Ground in South Carolina” by Susan Stall and Alecia Brewster, staff members of Village Engage (see www.villageengage.com).

What started in 2017 as the creation of a simple database of JustFaith grads in Greenville and a monthly newsletter of area events has now blossomed into an organization that is helping lead pathways to engagement and purposeful action, like a statewide coalition for legislative change. In the beginning Village Engage supported the creation of small groups of people in affluent white churches learning together about injustice and inequity. Today, the small but mighty Village Engage team is also helping create community groups that bridge racial, socio economic and religious lines. JustFaith programs continue to be at the core of the transformational education Village Engage supports.

About the Speakers: Susan Stall serves as the volunteer Program Director of Village Engage, a faith-based community organizer that provides educational opportunities, space for dialogue, and pathways for action to tackle systemic injustices facing the people of Greenville, SC. At Village Engage, we believe that when groups of Spirit-inspired people come together to learn about issues of oppression, meaningful relationships are established that empower advocates to take the actions necessary to break down systemic barriers and build a more equitable community. Through her role with Village Engage, Susan also serves as a member of the Steering Committee of the South Carolina Fair Lending Alliance, a statewide coalition working to cap interest rates on predatory consumer loan products.

Alecia Brewster is the Senior Justice Consultant at Village Engage, working to support existing JustFaith groups, identify new groups and develop a plan for continued expansion in Greenville. Inspired by her experiences piloting the EcoJustice: Sacred Land program and the Spirituality and Racial Equity program, Alecia is now committed to offering these opportunities to everyone in the Greenville community. She also serves on the national JustFaith Ministries’ Board of Directors. In addition to working with Village Engage, Alecia facilitates South Carolina Interfaith Power & Light, Greenville Mentoring Collaborative, and South Carolina’s Poor People’s Campaign. Alecia chairs Tanglewood Middle School Improvement Council and she is helping to design Greenville Breakfast Rotary Club’s DEI programs and Greenville Homeless Alliance’s Advocacy Academy.