Live Town Hall Event “The Church’s Role in the Work of Anti-racism and Policing” Held Via Zoom

Join the Odyssey Impact Young Adult Initiative for a candid roundtable discussion about how the Christian Church of 2020 can show up to help lead the work of anti-racism in society and equitable policing in Black and Brown communities.

Topics of discussion may include but are not limited to: Policy and Advocacy, Theological Foundations of the Church, Dismantling Systems “Jesus and the Disinherited." After a robust moderated dialogue, panelists will lead a discussion with attendees and dive deeper into pointed topics.

Panelists

Rev. Jazmine Brooks, Itinerant Deacon, AME Church, Program Director, Mary Baldwin University Office of Inclusive Excellence

Rev. Jazmine Brooks, more affectionately known as Rev. Jaz, is an ordained minister in the AME Church. While she serves as the program director, she also co-facilitates the African American Religious History course with an emphasis on the lineage of resistance. Her work includes cross-cultural programming, leadership and professional development, civic, social, and community engagement, academic support, and advocacy. Rev. Jaz has served in several capacities to include but not limited to youth and young adult programming, congregational and community asset mapping, congregational and generational culture research, and leading Black Liberation and Womanist studies.

Rev. Tyler Sit, Pastor and Church Planter, New City Church

Rev. Tyler Sit is the pastor and church planter of New City Church, a multiethnic community in South Minneapolis. He is the author of the upcoming book tentatively titled, Staying Awake: the Gospel for Changemakers (set to publish early 2021). New City has been featured in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Minnesota Public Radio, and more. When he’s not working, Tyler likes to dig into his Chinese heritage and go for hikes with his boyfriend. @TylerSit

Oriana Mayorga, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Oriana is a born and raised New Yorker, community organizer, harm reductionist, artist and recipient of the Justice and Peace Scholarship at Union Theological Seminary. The lived experiences of her Latinx family inspire her daily to fight for justice. Oriana is dedicated to dismantling structural oppression, promoting racial justice and ending violence against women, as well as building healthier, accountable communities. She is a longtime activist of ending the war on drugs, specifically advocating for accessible psychedelic medicine for underrepresented communities. Currently, she is the Vice Chair of the board of directors for a youth-led international non-profit Students for Sensible Drug Policy, where she also co-chairs the Intersectionality Committee. Oriana leads the Psychedelic People of Color Project. In 2022, she will graduate with her Masters of Divinity with a concentration in social ethics from Union Theological Seminary. She hopes to become a movement and hospice Chaplin.

Rev. Leslye Dwight, Minister of Social Justice, Community Of Hope AME Church

Rev. Leslye Dwight is an ordained clergy within the 2nd Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Currently, she serves as the Minister of Social Justice at Community of Hope AME Church under the leadership of Rev. Tony Lee, Senior Pastor. In this capacity, she has been able to equip and empower communities throughout the Washington Metropolitan region to be advocates for change. Rev. Dwight has spearheaded several legislative reform efforts around juvenile justice, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, education reform, and wage disparities for women and persons of color.

Moderator

Rev. Terrance McKinley, Director of Racial Justice and Mobilizing Sojourners, Senior Pastor, Campbell AME Church

Rev. Terrance M. McKinley is a Senior Staff Member at Sojourners, the Nation’s largest Christian Messaging and Media organization. He is the organization’s Director of Racial Justice and Mobilizing and provides leadership to the policy, advocacy and mobilization efforts that galvanize people of faith to fight systems that disenfranchise people of color. Rev. McKinley is also the newly appointed Senior Pastor of the historic Campbell AME Church in the Nation's Capital, Washington D.C. Throughout his ministry, he has demonstrated his commitment to matters related to faith and justice. Essence Magazine recognized him as a “Do Right Man” because of his work in the community beyond the walls of the church.