Roots of Justice, Inc., is led by our Accountability Council, managed by our staff, and trainings are facilitated by members of our Training Team.
Accountability Council
|
Joy Flora KingTREASURER - DALLAS, TX
Joy Flora King, CPA, MBA, (she/her) has over 30 years of work experience in accounting and finance and has been the CFO with United Protective services for 6 years. She was the CFO at Apex Restaurant Group and functioned as the CFO for all of the Apex clients, working with each client’s operations to improve profitability, cash flow, treasury and banking relationships, negotiated debt restructures as well as supervision of accounting department and financial reporting.
Joy took her first Damascus Road Training in 1999, has participated in dismantling racism teams with the Dallas Mennonite church, the Dallas Peace Center and has served on the Roots of Justice board since 2013. Joy also has been a board member for multiple nonprofit organizations. Joy was also involved in the church plant of Many Peoples Mennonite church, an anti-racist, multi-cultural church. Joy has a B.S. in accounting and management from McPherson College, McPherson Kansas and obtained her MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas. |
|
Steve KrissPHILADELPHIA, PA
Stephen Kriss (he/him) works as Executive Minister of Mosaic Mennonite Conference. He first attended a Damascus Road training in the 1990s while pastoring at his home congregation in the Allegheny Mountains. Stephen teaches and consults out of his PhD work in communication ethics in the areas of organizational, interpersonal and intercultural practice. He lives in Philadelphia, works hard to keep conversant in Spanish and loves pierogies.
|
|
THULANI CONRAD MOORETUCKER, GA
Thulani Conrad Moore (he/him) has been actively engaged with Roots of Justice since 1997. Over the years, he has dedicated himself to the roles of antiracism educator, organizer, and co-coordinator for the MCC US Anti-Racism Program/Damascus Road. Thulani has also made significant contributions to peace and justice education, particularly in the realm of crime and justice issues. He resides in Tucker, Georgia, with his wife and young daughter. Presently, Thulani shares his wealth of knowledge and experience at the APEX Museum in Atlanta.
|
|
DR. MONICA SMITHCHAIR - QUAD CITIES, IL
Dr. Monica Smith (she/her) is a clinically trained social worker with a broad background - from child welfare to higher education. She is currently vice president and chief diversity officer at Augustana College. Her leadership requires development and implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and monitoring the institution’s efforts toward achieving these goals. Dr. Smith is an administrator, educator and practitioner who is engaged in the Quad City region. She is a member of the
· Board of Directors for Martin Luther King, Jr Center, Governance Committee · Board of Directors for the Putnam Museum · United Way, African American Leadership Steering Committee · Board of Directors, Q2030 Regional Action Plan, Executive Committee Secretary She is a founding member of Quad Cities Black Professionals in Higher Education and the vice president of the Quad Cities (IL) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations. Dr. Smith has been teaching and consulting in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion for two decades and owns M Smith Consulting. She enjoys engaging conversations around identity, empowerment and justice. |
STAFF
|
Tonya FeWellDIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
A dynamic force of nature who thrives on breaking barriers and empowering others, Tonya (she/her) has a relentless drive, and has forged an inspiring career dedicated to systems change and personal growth. A graduate of Spelman College and The University of Florida Levin College of Law, Tonya is well-versed in systems development and strategic implementation. She's certified by the University of South Florida Muma College of Business in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, and holds additional certifications from the Florida Supreme Court as a family law mediator and qualified arbitrator.
Beyond her strategic prowess, Tonya is deeply committed to nurturing youth, promoting wellness, and fostering cross-generational connections. Affectionately known as Mama T, she's on a mission to help people break free from negative habits to bridge every gap and live their dreams boldly. Her authentic approach to systems change is rooted in her unwavering dedication to helping others overcome obstacles and achieve success in all facets of life, but Tonya is more than a mentor; she's a champion. Tonya's most cherished role is that of a mother to her three children: Briana, Evan, and Grace. She's a true testament to the power of purpose-driven determination, proving that women, when fueled by purpose, are unstoppable. |
|
Bethany StewartDIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND MARKETING, TRAINER
Bethany (she/her) is a Social Justice Creative working to marry the creative arts to social causes through engaging events and educational opportunities. As a Black woman, Bethany is committed to loving and working for the liberation of those most marginalized within her community. She believes that systemic change happens when we learn to recognize the harms and make different choices towards freedom.
She graduated from Delaware State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in History and minor in Political Science in the spring of 2012. Later in 2012, Bethany relocated to Philadelphia as a City Year Philadelphia Corps Member which had a transformative impact on her. After her service year, she transitioned into a civil legal assistant role while also community organizing and advocating against mass incarceration. Bethany's impactful work includes organizing for the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund and establishing a Participatory Defense hub. After five years in civil legal work, she shifted gears to join a non-profit, where she combined her administrative expertise with workforce development principles to empower formerly homeless young adults. Today, Bethany is a Training & Partnership Development Coordinator for a local non-profit supporting girls while maintaining her passion for writing and podcasting on the Color Correction podcast, all in the pursuit of liberation for marginalized communities. Bethany is eager to work alongside Courtney and continue to expand the impactful work of Roots of Justice. |
|
Jennifer SvetlikFUNDRAISING AND GRANTS COORDINATOR
Jenn (she/her) has worked for faith-based nonprofit organizations in programmatic, development, and administrative roles for 15 years. She joined Roots of Justice collective in February 2022 and is grateful to have the opportunity to share widely the transformative impact of the Roots of Justice antiracism process. Born and raised in Texas, Jenn spent a decade in Washington DC and currently lives on Lenape land outside of Philadelphia. She enjoys growing food and spending time outdoors with her partner and two young kids.
|
Training Team
|
Michelle ArmsterWICHITA, KS
Michelle E. Armster (she/her) is the Executive Director for Mennonite Central Committee Central States. Prior to this position Michelle spent 12 years as director of Mennonite Conciliation Services and co-director for the Office on Justice and Peacebuilding. Michelle has extensive training in meditation, facilitation, conciliation, restorative justice, arbitration, victim/offender mediation, anti-racism, and alternatives to violence. Her board service has included the YWCA, Spirit House Project, Inc., Lancaster Mediation Center, and the NAACP.
A graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary (M.Div.) Michelle spent 4 1/2 years as co-pastor of St. Andrew United Church of Christ in Lancaster, PA and 2 years as associate pastor for community outreach at Blossom Hill Mennonite Church also in Lancaster. Currently Michelle resides in Wichita, Kansas, and is active with Wichita Griots, an African American Storytellers organization, and a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers.
|
|
Drick BoydPHILADELPHIA, PA
Drick Boyd (he/him) is Professor Emeritus of Urban Studies from Eastern University where he taught for 22 years. He is the author of three books: White Allies in the Struggle for Racial Justice, and Paulo Freire: His Faith, Spirituality and Theology (with Dr. James Kirylo), and Disrupting Whiteness: Talking to White People About Racism. He also is a blogger and the author of numerous articles. In addition to Roots of Justice, he is an active member NewCORE (New Conversations on Race and Ethnicity), Philadelphia's Restorative City Initiative, and POWER Interfaith. He is trained in antiracist dialogue, community organizing, restorative justice and popular education.
Throughout the course of his career, Drick has been a youth worker, a Baptist pastor, a chaplain at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center and a college professor. His passion is working with grassroots leaders to bring neighbors together to address community problems and build community leadership. In his free time, he likes biking, hiking and tennis. With his wife Cynthia, he is the proud parent of three adult daughters and a member of West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship. |
|
Phil Morice BrubakerTULSA, OK
Phil (he/him) has been active in antiracism for over 20 years, as staff (1996-2015) and trainer (since 1999) with Roots of Justice and Damascus Road. His antiracism experience includes developing and facilitating multiracial workshops, organizing and facilitating white caucus/affinity groups, policy assessment and development, communications auditing, speaking engagements on white privilege, and logistics and technological support.
Phil holds degrees from Messiah College (BA 1994) and Duke University Divinity School (MTS 2002), and is comfortable communicating with secular audiences as well as the range of Christian audiences from Evangelical to liberal Mainline. Phil lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his spouse and their two children. He enjoys gardening, home food preservation, hiking, and visiting wild places. LINK |
|
Rick DerksenSEATTLE, WA
Rick Derksen (he/him) lives with his partner on occupied Duwamish land in what is known as Seattle, Washington. He has been organizing collectively with family members, friends, various faith communities and colleagues to undo white supremacy and other forms of systemic oppression since first participating in a Damascus Road anti-racism training in 2000. Rick has been a Damascus Road/Roots of Justice trainer since 2002.
Rick is ordained in the Mennonite Church and worked as Mennonite Central Committee’s Anti-Racism Coordinator in Pennsylvania until moving to Seattle in 2011. Rick is the happy grandparent of six young granddaughters who help to keep him grounded and remind him that a better world is possible. In addition to antiracist organizing and spending time with family, Rick enjoys birdwatching whenever he gets the chance. |
|
Calenthia DowdyPHILADELPHIA, PA
Calenthia S. Dowdy, Ph.D. (she/her) is a cultural anthropologist and college professor. Her academic research took place in Brazil where she enjoyed the fusion of Indigenous, African, and Portuguese cultures. She is trained in antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion, and also works in public health with communities dealing with trauma and the connections between body, mind, spirit and wholeness.
Dowdy’s life adventures include working as a youth minister, kindergarten and eighth grade teacher, sailing the Sea of Galilee, and dancing with the Quechua people in the mountains of Bolivia. She received a Women’s Way Powerful Voice Award in 2016, completed the International Inside-Out program for prison education in 2019, and was awarded a Red Ribbon Award from the Penn Center for AIDS Research in 2020. |
|
LORIE HERSHEYPHILADELPHIA, PA
Lorie’s (she/her) life focus is to create spaces for healing, justice, equity, spiritual care, and growth. She was pastor at West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship for 15 years and previously worked as a music therapist. Growing up in a primarily White, middle-class, rural setting, she also has lived experience in small-town and mid to large-size city settings. She attended her first Damascus Road Training in 2009 and is committed to dismantling racism and oppression, building equity and justice, owning her own complicity and need for growth, and collaborating with others to create a world where all can thrive. Lorie serves on the board of POWER Interfaith, a faith-based community organizing group in Pennsylvania. She lives in Philadelphia with her family.
|
|
hendy matahelemualPHILADELPHIA, PA
Hendy Matahelemual (he/him) was born and grew up in the city of Bandung, Indonesia. He graduated from Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung, with a Bachelor's degree in law. He worked in the music entertainment industry and in a law office before being called to full-time ministry. He served as a pastor at Elshaddai Creative Community in Bandung before moving to the U.S. He received a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 2019. He serves with Mosaic Mennonite Conference as associate pastor for community engagement.
|
|
NICK MIRONLANCASTER, PA
Nick Miron (he/him) has been a trainer with Roots of Justice for about six years. Nick became intentionally antiracist 15 years ago and has since worked with community and nonprofit organizations, corporations, schools and churches to help them deepen their understanding of, commitment to, and work against racism, white supremacy, gender/sex oppression and violence. Nick is deeply appreciative of the graciousness and learning he has received from friends and co-facilitators within Roots of Justice and beyond, and for those who continue to challenge the status quo while working to build a society based on affirmation, equity, and justice. He lives in Lancaster, PA is also grateful for his personal support structures, Allison, his two children, and feline companion, Percy.
|
|
Regina MooreATLANTA, GA
After volunteering as a former accountability council member and attending several analysis trainings, Regina Moore has finally taken the leap to become a Roots of Justice antiracism trainer. Having been involved and interested in this work for some time, she felt she had the skills and experience to become more involved and be an asset to the team. Regina loves reading, baking and being a mother to her newly teenaged daughter. Originally from Philadelphia, she currently lives in the Atlanta metro area with her daughter and husband and works fulltime as an elementary school teacher.
|
|
Thulani Conrad MooreTUCKER, GA
Thulani Conrad Moore (he/him) has been actively engaged with Roots of Justice since 1997. Over the years, he has dedicated himself to the roles of antiracism educator, organizer, and co-coordinator for the MCC US Anti-Racism Program/Damascus Road. Thulani has also made significant contributions to peace and justice education, particularly in the realm of crime and justice issues. He resides in Tucker, Georgia, with his wife and young daughter. Presently, Thulani shares his wealth of knowledge and experience at the APEX Museum in Atlanta.
|
|
YVONNE PLATTSNORRISTOWN, PA
Yvonne Platts (she/her) calls herself an urban peace warrior. She likes to laugh and joke but has no time to play when it comes to addressing injustice. A Restorative Practice Facilitator by trade and Peace Warrior by calling, Yvonne is on a mission to live out her purpose and pursuits by addressing systemic institutional racism along with promoting peace building and healing from racial trauma. To stay grounded and for overall health benefits she walks daily with GirlTrek. Yvonne holds a Masters in Restorative Practices and Youth & Family Counseling and is a certified Victim Offender Dialogue Facilitator, Professional Trauma Specialist, and a Train the Trainer Circle and Community Conference Facilitator.
|
|
DEE DEE RISHERPHILADELPHIA, PA
Dee Dee Risher (she/her) is a writer and editor, facilitator, and activist. She wrote The Soulmaking Room, and edited The Other Side and Conspire! magazines. She is a founder of the Philadelphia Alternative Seminary and Vine and Fig Tree, an intentional Christian community. She works at a Philadelphia housing nonprofit as a community organizer of residents as well as supporting its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative.
|
|
JESSICA RODRIGUEZ BECKERPHILADELPHIA, PA
Jessica Rodriguez Becker (she/her) has been a Philly resident since 1999 but was born and raised in NYC and is of Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Indigena/Latinx descent and she feels most at home near the equator. She’s a writer, specifically in love with poetry and poetic prose, a Spanish teacher, a lover of art and music and a woman committed to local and household activism. She loves her blackness, her Caribbean-ness, her womanhood, her sisterhood, and her mother-hood. She loves to be part of the liberating journey that practicing yoga inspires in others, especially those who have been excluded and invisibilized in modern capitalist structures. She is committed to bringing healing mindfulness and embodiment work to folks who identify as fat, disabled, queer, black and brown and she is always on a journey of decolonizing both her practice and her mind.
|
|
Regina Shands StoltzfusELKHART, IN
Regina Shands Stoltzfus, Ph.D. (she/her) is a professor at Goshen College in the Peace, Justice Conflict Studies (PJCS) and Bible, Religion and Philosophy (BRP) departments. Her courses include Race, Class and Ethnic Relations, Personal Violence and Healing, Peacemaking, and Transforming Conflict and Violence. Dr. Shands Stoltzfus is co-founder of the Damascus Road Antiracism Process and continues as a core trainer with Roots of Justice. Other experiences include serving as staff associate for urban peacemaking with Mennonite Central Committee, associate pastor at Lee Heights Community Church in Cleveland, and as a campus pastor at Goshen College. Regina is the recipient of the State of Indiana’s 2016 Spirit of Justice Award, the highest award conferred by Indiana’s Civil Rights Commission.
|
|
KYLE SULLIVANROCHESTER, NY (sometimes)
Kyle's (he/they) life's work is committed to partnering with others in dismantling barriers and creating systems that promote human and beyond-human flourishing. Currently, I do this as a compassion and development scholar, professor of Human Development, meditation and yoga instructor, and anti-oppression facilitator. I served over 8 years in various roles of ministry including as a youth, young adult, and discipleship pastor. I have over 7 years of higher education service, most recently serving as an Assistant Dean of Students and adjunct professor of World Religions and Ethics. I build and facilitate programs and trainings that cultivate courage, curiosity, creativity, and connectedness.
My experiences of childhood homelessness, poverty, and parental incarceration have been the drive behind my work as an accomplice for anti-oppression initiatives in higher education, non-profits, religious institutions, and corporate settings. I am finishing my PhD at the University of Rochester studying compassion development as a tool for creating a more just and equitable world. I currently reside on occupied Chorotega/Motambu territory in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. |
|
CHANTELLE TODMANPHILADELPHIA, PA
Chantelle Todman (she/they) seeks to embody personal and collective liberation through her coaching and consulting practice and movement chaplaincy work. Chantelle is a Black, afro-Caribbean, afro-Latinx, contemplative, queer Anabaptist and uses she/they pronouns. A member of the steering committee of the office of Women in Leadership, Mennonite Church USA and the Intercultural Leadership Coach at Mosaic Mennonite Conference. They talk a lot about embracing and celebrating all people as Divine image bearers, working for justice, exploring pleasure and imagining and building a liberative world. Originally from Miami, Florida, and currently lives in the Vine and Fig Tree community in Philly with her family.
|
|
BRENDA ZOOK FRIESENFOREST GROVE, OR
Brenda Zook Friesen (she/her) was introduced to antiracism organizing through her Mennonite Central Committee service term in New Orleans where she worked at The People’s Institute for Survival & Beyond. She has served as a trainer with Damascus Road/Roots of Justice since 1999, and as the director of the MCC US Anti-Racism Program. She currently works as the business manager for Tara Mohr, LLC, and volunteers with her local Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) chapter. Brenda lives in Forest Grove, Oregon, where she enjoys lots of outdoor adventures with her partner, Phil, and their two sons.
|