Everyday Changemakers

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis: On God's Love in Action - 13 (Season Finale)

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is a nationally recognized faith leader who serves as the Senior Minister of Middle Collegiate Church in NYC, the Executive Director of The Middle Project, and the host of the television show, Just Faith. Jacqui developed a strong connection to God starting in childhood. But over time, she had to "grow up her idea of God," in order to make sense of her own life and the whole world. We talk about how Jacqui's understanding of God shapes her interfaith activism today, and how the spiritual discipline of preaching helps her embody sacred texts in her life and work. Hint: it's about love in action. You can find Jacqui at: www.middlechurch.org and www.jacquijlewis.com Ending Song Credit: "Love Is An Action" Music and lyrics by Tituss Burgess from Welcome, by Middle Collegiate Church, NYC Kamara Rose, www.kamararose.com

Michael Brennan: On NOT KNOWING and Reimagining New Solutions - 12

Michael Brennan is the CEO and Cofounder of Civilla, a design studio dedicated to changework in Detroit. For the last few years, Michael has been on an inspiring journey to follow his own heart, and to pursue the work he most wanted to do in the world. This episode takes you from the childhood experiences that shaped him, to the powerful vows Michael made to himself that ended up launching him from over 30 years of leadership with the United Way, into the work of design and social impact. You can find Michael at www.civilla.com You can find me at www.kamararose.com

Rodney McKenzie: On Shifting The Story and Finding Your Goodness - 11

Rodney McKenzie is the VP of Campaigns and Partnerships for Demos: An Equal Say and An Equal Chance For All. Rodney takes us back to the moment, over a decade ago, that woke him up to his calling. It was a moment that taught him about the power of shifting his perception from "victim" to "victor," and informs his ministry today: "reminding people of their goodness." You can find me at: www.kamararose.com You can find Rodney on Twitter at: @morelifeinc References: The Science of Mind: A Philosophy, A Faith, A Way of Life by Ernest Holmes A Course in Miracles Dao De Jing: The Book of the Way The Infinite Way, Joel S. Goldsmith Poet Mary Oliver

Macky Alston: On Choosing Beauty, Joy as Resistance, and Sacred Truth-Telling - 10

Macky Alston serves as VP of Prophetic and Creative Leadership at Auburn Seminary. He was a senior at Columbia University in NYC when he attended one of the first meetings of ACT UP in 1987. Our conversation explores how Macky found life and celebration in the midst of death, as the AIDS crisis raged through his community and the world. We talk about the practice of surrounding yourself with beauty, joy as an act of resistance, and truth-telling as sacred work. References from Macky Alston's blog: https://mackyalston.com/blog/ "All I Have Is a Voice" "You Have Something to Say That We Need to Hear" You can find me at : www.kamararose.com

Art Reyes: On Coming Home, Solidarity, and Shared Fate - 009

Art Reyes III is the founder and executive directer of We The People, an organization working to build multi-racial, working class alliances to contend for power across Michigan. Art grew up in Flint, where he learned early on about class division, the labor struggle, and the power of solidarity. Our conversation goes deep into Art's childhood, and the urgent call that brought him back to Michigan in 2016. The Coming Home guide is at: www.kamararose.com/resources You can find Art at: www.wethepeoplemi.org