Register for the November Acting for Justice Webinar

Alecia Brewster

Alecia Brewster is a mission-driven entrepreneur and nonprofit leader passionate about building communities rooted in justice, equity, and belonging. As Program Director of Village Engage, a social enterprise of Mill Village Ministries, she co-creates educational programs and events that inspire awareness and action on issues such as civic engagement, poverty, economic mobility, and environmental justice in Greenville, South Carolina. This year, Village Engage launched the Immigration & Faith Coalition of Greenville, a network of JustFaith graduates and community partners dedicated to equipping residents and faith communities to better love, support, and welcome immigrant neighbors.

Beyond her work with Village Engage, Alecia co-chairs the Greenville Mentoring Collaborative, an initiative that strengthens and expands access to quality youth mentoring opportunities in Greenville and across the state. She also serves on the Boards of Directors for the Piedmont Health Foundation and JustFaith Ministries, where she continues to advocate for social justice through education and relationship-building. Alecia is most inspired by her children—Zora, Zachary, and Alissa—who each embody a commitment to justice and community in their own unique ways.

PJ EDwards

PJ Edwards focuses on social justice education, advocacy, and direct service.  Much of his current work relates to immigration.  He applies his business and organizational development experience to the missions of non-profit organizations with whom he works.  In addition to being one of the  El Refugio Ministry founders and former board chair. El Refugio Ministry accompanies immigrants at Stewart Detention Center and their loved ones through hospitality, visitation, support, and advocacy. The organization sees their work of choosing hospitality as subversive work in the face of relentless attacks on immigrant communities.

PJ also served on the board of directors of JustFaith Ministries where he served as Interim Executive Director, Board Co-Chair, Treasurer, and Governance Chair.  He is a former co-chair of the Detention Watch Network steering committee. PJ earned a BBA from the University of Georgia, and his former professional experience includes work with large firms such as IBM, The Home Depot, and Deloitte down to start-up organizations including his own business consulting practice.  He is currently the Strategic Partnerships Executive at the interiors architecture and design firm Planning Interiors in Atlanta. PJ has been married to Amy M. Edwards since 1995. Amy works for Deloitte as a Director of Knowledge Services.  PJ and Amy have two children, Corina and Gabriel.

Karina Barillas

Karina Barillas is co-founder and Executive Director of La Casita Center, a Latinx and feminist-led nonprofit borne from a vision of, and commitment to, accompaniment, empowerment and advocacy. That vision has made La Casita Center a respected place of safety, cultural celebration, inclusivity and belonging for families facing extreme poverty, food insecurity and lack of resources. 

A native of Guatemala, Barillas is a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship and received her Master of Education degree in Counseling in 2002 and her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies in 1996, both from the University of Louisville, where she also served as president of the International Students Organization. 

Her reputation as an unflinching advocate in the work to create spaces affirming every member of our community as worthy of opportunity, investment and respect has earned numerous awards and recognitions, including the Center for Women and Families Women of Distinction Award; the Mexican government’s Ohtli Award; Trinity High School’s Peace Medal; the National Conference for Community and Justice Peace Maker Humanitarian Award; the University of Louisville’s Community Spirit Award; and the Arte Sana National Latina Advocate Award. The Community Foundation of Louisville also awarded Barillas its Alden Fellowship, allowing her to attain a Duke University Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership.  Barillas is the proud mother of  Ali and Fatimah, and loves to dance salsa, sing, garden and cook with her loving husband Louis.