Annual Report 2023
During a season of great turmoil, the Hebrew Prophet Isaiah invites the people of God to “shout for joy” and “burst into song” because God is bigger than the crisis at hand (Isaiah 54). Isaiah then calls the people to take action:
“Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.”
During these tumultuous days, these words resonate with my spirit and provide clarity for the path ahead. I am convinced that UNDIVIDED is a spiritual movement of the people of God. I know that as the people of God, we are called to continuously make room! We don’t hunker down and circle the wagons when things are hard, we throw open the tent flaps and boldly proclaim, “There is room for you here!” Therefore, we need to press in and strengthen our stakes to stay firmly rooted in the hope of our God. A bigger tent requires deeper stakes.
At UNDIVIDED, we’re committed to continuously making room in this community as we stay deeply rooted in Jesus. To that end, we have included four powerful impact stories, from people who are part of the UNDIVIDED community. I want to encourage you to read these stories and/or view the companion videos that accompany them. These stories will enlarge your soul and encourage you as an UNDIVIDED supporter.
I’m so proud of the work we have done over the course of 2023. My hope is this report reminds you that you belong here. My challenge for you is this: who else needs to be here?
Who do you know that is longing for justice? Who is looking for a healing and listening community rooted in Jesus? Who is ready to roll up their sleeves for action?
UNDIVIDED begins with you and this movement takes all of us.
Yours in hope & solidarity,
Chuck Mingo
Participant ages ranged
from 18 to 94 years old.
Participants were 40% BIPOC and 60% White.
The majority of participants in church
cohorts were women (64%).
The corporate and business cohorts were
nearly balanced at 50% women and men.
“Through my participation in UNDIVIDED, I established new and fruitful relationships. Several from our group are continuing to meet so that we can lift each other up and grow together. I feel God is using our new connections to mobilize each of us in our communities. After completing the cohort, I have a new sense of hope and connectedness through new relationships. So grateful for this experience.”
The UNDIVIDED learning experiences help participants grow in empathy – it’s one of the biggest value-adds that our cohorts and workshops bring to organizations, churches and communities.
Pre- and post-cohort survey data from participants in 2023 showed the following changes:
Before UNDIVIDED 38% strongly agreed.
After UNDIVIDED 56% strongly agreed.
Before UNDIVIDED 16% almost all the time.
After UNDIVIDED 61% almost all the time.
In 2023, UNDIVIDED delivered 15 Workshops to businesses and organizations ranging from conference presentations to Fortune 500 companies. Through these new, short-format learning experiences, over 800 people across 10 cities experienced UNDIVIDED content in these 1- to 8-hour sessions. While the Workshop topics varied from “The Power of Story” to “Leading with Empathy,” each is based in the framework of reflect, connect, and direct. You can learn more here about UNDIVIDED’s Workshop offerings and how they can support your team or organization.
“These sessions gave me skills and willingness to face racial divisiveness without fearing being offensive. There have been times I just brushed off racial tension. Now I know that there are ways to address those issues without confrontation.”
UNDIVIDED experiences help shape participants, but what about after? Pre- and post-cohort survey data from participants in 2023 showed the following changes:
Increased from 82% of participants who agreed or strongly agreed to 87% after participating in UNDIVIDED.
Increased from 66% of participants who agreed or strongly agreed to 80% after participating in UNDIVIDED.
“UNDIVIDED showed me how I passively reacted to the topic of race within the church; we talk about it, but there was not as much tangible actions behind it. This helped create the urgency to not run from the pain, lament, and move towards action – bringing along those with different perspectives to be part of the solution.”
They signed up to facilitate cohorts to multiply the experience for others.
Facilitation hours for cohorts
In 2023, 24 people became newly trained facilitators for a total of 200 certified UNDIVIDED facilitators & producers.
They gave financially to the UNDIVIDED movement.
52
52 monthly donors opted to support sustainability through regular giving.
755 gifts
There was a 7% increase in the number of gifts given and a 54% increase in total individual giving in 2023.
They volunteered in local justice initiatives.
183
Consistently active volunteers in relational community organizing through their local UNDIVIDED Hub.
The Calling is Clear:
Our hope is that you are inspired by the progress we are making together, and that you are encouraged to continue to press forward.
While there are so many different ways each of us can bring our gifting to this movement to make a difference – there’s one clear step we hope you will take: be a part of fueling the movement.
Frankly, action requires resources, change requires resources – and resources are ultimately how each of us reflect what is most important to us.
Will you take the step to fuel the movement by making a financial gift to UNDIVIDED today? Make the gift that is right for you.
A one-time gift to help underwrite LivingUNDIVIDED cohorts ($3,000 needed per cohort)
A monthly gift to demonstrate your ongoing commitment to racial healing & justice (as little as a cup of coffee or pizza order each month makes a difference over time)
When I was asked recently to share an update on UNDIVIDED’s progress with some of our incredible donors, I felt led to talk with them about imagination. It was a spark of imagination that first brought me to the work of UNDIVIDED in 2015 when Chuck began to share his vision for a future that could be. And it is the hope of imagination, fueled by the progress we have seen over the past few years, that keeps me in this work with all of you.
But there is more to this work of racial justice than what we can imagine ourselves. In his letter to Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Our hope for racial healing and justice, when rooted in the power of Christ, is the confidence that God will do immeasurably more than we can even begin to imagine. What I love about this passage is that Paul reminds us that still have a role to play – even though the results are God’s and the power is God’s – he still chooses to be at work with us. We need to allow Christ to be fully at work in us and surrender our will to his, which helps us imagine transformation together, work together, pursue healing together, and champion justice together. But let’s also be reminded that God is able to do immeasurably more.
It has been a joy to serve as UNDIVIDED’s Board Chair over the last year. On behalf of the UNDIVIDED Board, thank you for partnering with us to imagine a flow of racial healing and justice that repairs wounds and cultivates equitable systems where all people flourish.
Thank you,
Illya Thomas, Board Chair
Illya Thomas, Board Chair
Alvin Herring
Kyle Ranson
Charla Weiss
Clare Blankemeyer
All that happened through the UNDIVIDED movement in 2023 happened because of you – the people who fuel the movement. We are honored by the support and investment of our donors and champions who have taken the call to live undivided and made it their mission.
TO OUR 2023 UNDIVIDED DONORS, THANK YOU! YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND GENEROSITY CREATE OPPORTUNITY, INSPIRE HOPE, AND ENABLE OUR IMPACT.
Claudia Abercrumbie
Jennifer and Jerry Albers
Rhonda Aldrich
Shana Alexander
Matthew Allen
James Anthony
Jean Anthony
Kathleen Bachman
Theresa Bardua
Michael Barnes
Sherri and Michael Barnes
Catherine Basil
Beverly Bea-Reed
David Beaudry
Jim and Vivienne Bechtold
Dale Beck
Achmed and Kathleen Beighle
Elliott Blodgett
Matthew Boorujy
Danny and Heather Bowman
Thomas Bretz
Samuel Brewer
Muzette Britt
Ryan Brooks
Doug I Burns
Michael and Tina Burry
DC and Stephanie Canty
Christine Cappel
Connie Carroll
Mary Cassidy
Queen City Church
Virginia Clark
Myra Clark-Foster
Lisa Cole
Jeffrey and Dana Cooper
Brandon and Kendra Coppage
Krys Corley
Eleanor Croley
Donna Davis
Michael Debrosse
Brian Dershaw
Gina Diehl
Danise Distasi
Joe Domiano
Katie Dwyer
Terumi Echols
Michelle and Rich Eggers
Cheryl Ensign
Andrew Finer
Neil and Jessica Forster
Nancy and David Fuller
Andrea Gallien
Rachel Garvey
Geri Geasland
John and Cindy Geer
Fred and Mary Carol Gennett
Judy Gierl
Shelby Givens-Blackmon
Michelle Glenn
Anna Goroncy
Elizabeth Goshorn
Omar Gray
Wayne and Sherri Hach
Dane and Desiree Harding
John Harmon
Sue Harvey
Jerome and Michelle Hawthorne
Carol Heagen
Chris and Chrissy Heiert
Christopher and Nicole Heims
Steve Heinzman and Sharon Bergman
Nancy Herdeman
Lindsey Himmler
Brenda Homan
Jim Hudson
Sergei and Hannah Huerta
Season and Dave Huff
Mary Jackson
Troy and Amanda Jackson
Sandy Job-Rivera
Stephanie Johnson
Patrice Jones
Victoria Jones
Jessie Kinney
Tina Kitchings
Joshua Ko
Craig Koerth
Nancy Kozak
Vincent and Jennifer Lam
Craig and Patricia Lange
Becky Lee
Dan Lillback
Dianne Linstruth
Theresa Lowendick
Will and Natalie Lundstrom
April Mack
Donielle Madaris
Renee Mahaffey
Harris Angie
Marks Scott
Martin David and Kimberly Martineau
Tracy Mathews
Ashley Matthews
Ryan and Caroline Max
Micah McFadden
Nan McGinnis
Melissa McMillen
Thomas Mello
Mark Menifee
Jim Meyer
Wayne Box Miller
Dave Mills
Chuck and Maria Mingo
Cheryl Miyamasu
Lynn Money
Jeff Monnin
Jon Montani
Chuck Moore
Darrell Murrell
Mitchell Mustain and Kristy Davis
Regina Neal
Mark Norman
Marchoe Northern
Mark and Babette Northrop
Genta OBrien
Tyana and Joshua Owings
Lucius Payne
Ray PeGan
Donna Pennington
Vito and Laura Peraino
Jeanne Piccola
David Porter
Russell and Pam Proctor
Delaney Pryor
Kevin and Tracy Rains
Daniel Rajaiah
Theresa Reekers
Donna Reinert
Patricia Ridgeway Kimberly Risma
Nancy Rowleu Christine Sam
Carl and Dawn Satterwhite
Jessica and Ben Sattler
Kathy Schaeffer
Art Schlemmer
Eric and Lindsey Schmidt
Michael Schmidt
Davette Shorter
Laura Shorter
Sandi Slaton
Danielle Smith
Mark Sova
Rick and Jeanene Stephens
Sarah Steverson
Roger Straz
Cole Tague
Teresa Tanner
Fran Tesmond
Illya and Patricia Thomas
Richard Towner
Judith Vermillion
Susan Visconte
A W
Carol Walker
Valerie Walker
Rachel Warden
Dale Ann Watkins
Diana Watkins
Kim Watling
Michael and Carolina Weppler
Nate and Emily Wiebracht
Felicia Williams
As Wilson
Julie Witt
Terry and Shirley Wuske
Darin and Pamela Yates
Abby Hobbs
Achmed and Kathleen Reighle
Alvine Herring
Andrew Feil
Antiwan Decatur
Becky Lee
Benjamin Shat
Beth Rogers
Brian and Carla Greene
Candice Hayes-McInnis
Carl and Dawn Satterwhite
Carol Walker
Charles Montgomery
Chaz Culp
Chris Perry
Christine Shipman
Chuck Moore
Courtney Stewart
Craig and Patricia Lange
Dale Ann Watkins
Dan Deering
Dane and Desiree Harding
Dani McBride
Dani Williams
Danita Brewer
Darcia Scafidi
Darin Yates
DC and Stephanie Canty
Donna Reinart
Dorell Morrow
Elizabeth Cronlund
Emily Brooks
Emily Morgan
Eric Dorsey
Felicia Williams
Heather Bowman
Ilya and Patricia Thomas
Jasmin Sosa
Jazzy Buchannon
Jennifer Wislocki
Jenny Plumb
Jessica Criner
John & Stephanie Harmon
Joshua and Jessie Heizer
Keith Patridge
Krys Corley
Krystal McMahon
Kyle Ranson
Lane Lareau
Laura Korn
Lorrice Grant
Lucius Payne
Lynne Seibert
Mary Wilson
Megan LaCross
Michael Myers
Michael Weppler
Michelle Williams
Mickeve Regis
Mike Ploucha
Nan and Carl Merrow
Neil and Jessica Forster
Nicole McDaniel
Nora Truit
Phil Willson
Ray Kollbocker
Richard Mealle
Ryan Schaible
Sally Finn
Sandra Perry
Scot and Meagan Gillan
Scott and Carla Weiss
Shelbi Franklin
Shelley Etzenhouser
Stephanie Crider
Sue Harvey
Suzanne Brown
Taisha Rojas-Parker
Tasha Ness
Tatiana Schmidt
Terrah Hunter
Tina Ellis
Tom Seddon
Tony and Clare Blankemeyer
Tracy Mathews
Troy Culbreth
William Livisay
Charde Jones
Edward and Mindy Trujillo
Ashlee and Sam Mello
“I volunteer my time because my heart is broken by racial injustice and systemic inequities, and I asked the Lord to show me what I could possibly do to make a difference. I’m grateful to use my skills and abilities with UNDIVIDED’s talented team to contribute to this vital work in what seems like such a small way for all that is needed and all that they do.”
Who are UNDIVIDED’s Leadership Partners?
Leadership Partners are a small group of committed individual donors who are joining together to fuel a significant step forward in the next chapter of the UNDIVIDED movement. Each Leadership Partner has made a multi-year commitment to support UNDIVIDED in order to provide a sustained base of support. Our agreement with Leadership Partners goes beyond financial giving and includes a commitment to relational connection and feedback.
To date, there are twelve households who have made this commitment to become Leadership Partners. We want to continue to see this circle of committed individuals grow – if you’re interested in learning more, email Caroline Max, Development Manager at caroline.max@undivided.com.
Dani McBride’s journey into the depths of racial understanding and healing begins at the complex intersections of love and prejudice. It also starts at the intersections of her mixed Korean and white heritage, which shaped her experiences from childhood as she navigated racial identity and biases early on.
Her story is not just one of personal struggle and reconciliation; it stands out as a testament to the transformative power of open, heartfelt dialogue on race, and it mirrors the ongoing need for action in the pursuit of racial equity and biblical justice.
During college Dani met her future husband, who was also biracial but of Black and white descent, and her proximity to Blackness introduced her to new perspectives and challenges. Through gradual, reflective moments during their deepening love—a love that would challenge the very foundations of her family relationships—she began confronting the realities of racial perceptions that differed vastly from her own.
This relationship also set her on a collision course with often unspoken yet deeply ingrained prejudices when her mother expressed strong reservations about her dating a Black man, rooted in stereotypes prevalent within her Korean community. Dani grew up under the loving and affectionate care of a mother who prayed fervently for her daughter’s future. Her mother’s protective nature was not just a reflection of maternal instinct but a prayerful concern for Dani’s well-being in a world she knew could be unkind.
While her mother’s fears and protective stance intensified and led to a painful estrangement, Dani encountered UNDIVIDED, attending one of the first in-person cohorts. It was here, within the space of diverse, vulnerable stories, that Dani found the courage to voice her pain and the strength to confront it.
She also found a sanctuary for healing and revelation. The cohort facilitated crucial discussions that helped Dani navigate her estrangement and empowered her to embrace her biracial identity fully—neither half of one thing nor another, but wholly herself.
Dani’s involvement in UNDIVIDED expanded as she became a facilitator, guiding discussions that explored the complexities of race, identity, and reconciliation.
A turning point in Dani’s story was a poignant, grace-filled reunion with her mother during her battle with cancer, orchestrated through the persistent prayers of her faith network and her UNDIVIDED community.
Dani is grateful for this gift God lovingly gave both of his daughters—an outpouring of unconditional love that transcended years of fear, shame, and misunderstanding. This reunion, filled with hugs long missed and affection deeply yearned for, witnessed the power of forgiveness and the enduring strength of love. Supported by her community and husband, Dani was able to experience personal reconciliation and healing, even in the most heartbreaking circumstances.
Today, Dani’s engagement with UNDIVIDED goes beyond her own healing. She continues to lead cohorts, fostering environments where others can also share and heal. Honoring her story’s lessons through racial justice work, Dani notably advocates for greater Asian American participation and the nuanced experiences of mixed-race individuals within the broader dialogues of race and identity.
Dani’s story is more than a narrative of conflict and resolution; it is a call to action—a reminder of the ripples of impact that understanding, community, and resilience can have on the world, and within our own stories.
To hear more about Dani’s journey and to see her discuss these experiences in her own words, we invite you to watch her complete story in our featured video.
Meet Michael Garcia, Chief HR Officer at Daughters of Charity Ministries, Inc. (DCM) whose approach to the evolving demands of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is fundamentally shaped by the faith of the organization, its powerful history and by his own faith—a faith that sees every individual as inherently valuable and as an interconnected child of God. This spiritual perspective drives his focus to address the DCM “Culture of Belonging” strategy and forge a deeper, enduring sense of belonging among employees. “We are interconnected children of God.” He emphasizes that true change starts with recognizing the Divine in everyone.
Michael has worked with his team to engage employees of his organization at a second campus (establishing another campus Advisory Team) to help build and execute an optimal, Culture of Belonging strategy for their unique campus. The goal is to have Culture of Belonging Advisory Teams at each location. The goal is to have Culture of Belonging Advisory Teams at each location. Michael understands that gaining local wisdom and employee engagement is a powerful tool to build and execute a sustainable Culture of Belonging strategy.
Michael benefits from Daughters of Charity Ministries’ well established Core Values: (Reverence – honoring the dignity of each person, Integrity – building relationships on trust, Generosity – giving of oneself in service, Unity – working together for the mission.) He has used these core values to encourage a “Culture of Belonging” and the key supportive initiatives that transcend typical DEI boundaries. Michael recognizes that the discomfort some of these initiatives create is not a barrier to success but a gateway to growth. “Leaning into the discomfort,” as he puts it, is essential for meaningful conversations about race, identity, growth and belonging. This philosophy has led him and his Advisory Teams to champion UNDIVIDED workshops that challenge, educate, and support – creating spaces where participants can confront uncomfortable truths, hear other co-worker’s perspectives and in the process, embrace opportunities for personal and organizational development.
“Any time you can get people to listen to messages of Belonging and share about their life experiences, opportunities for growth emerge.” He recognizes that some may become uncomfortable, but if optimally addressed, most people will learn and grow. This process is an opportunity for meaningful personal and work culture change, “Leaning into our challenges, creates growth opportunity.” Michael asserts, viewing uneasy conversations as a portal towards deeper understanding, change and reconciliation. Michael emphasizes education that speaks “to the spirit and the heart of the person,” delivered with kindness to provoke reflection and self-awareness. This educational approach ensures that learning about diversity and inclusion goes beyond cognitive understanding to touch on emotional and spiritual growth, which he believes is crucial for genuine transformation. He also understands this approach is aligned with the Values of his organization.
Partnering with UNDIVIDED was a decision deeply rooted in shared values and mutual respect for each organization’s mission. Michael trusts in the power of this partnership to enhance the journey towards a genuine culture of belonging, where differences are not just acknowledged but celebrated as strengths. This collaboration has sparked initiatives that are not only inclusive but transformative, resonating with employees and aligned with the Daughters of Charity Ministries’ core values.
Feedback is also a cornerstone of Michael’s strategic leadership. By surveying participants following each workshop and gathering insights from the Advisory Teams, Michael ensures that the workshops remain responsive and relevant to the employees’ needs. This feedback not only informs ongoing adjustments and innovations but also validates the impact of the Culture of Belonging efforts, ensuring they resonate with participants.
DCM’s commitment to creating a culture of belonging, supported by thoughtful education and genuine empathy, along with engaging the wise counsel of employee Advisory Teams, and using a forward focused solution model to build and execute a strategic plan, offers an example to others. Michael’s approach aligns with his organization’s core values, helps these values come alive to positively affect the work culture and offers examples about how businesses can contribute to broader societal healing and unity.
Inspired by Michael’s dedication to diversity and inclusion? Consider how your own organization can move beyond conventional DEI&B metrics to embrace a more holistic, interconnected approach that celebrates every individual’s contribution to the collective mission.
Stephanie Crider stands at the forefront of change—not just as an UNDIVIDED facilitator but also as a community organizer building pathways to reconciliation and community solidarity. As a volunteer with the Michigan chapter and a leader in community organizing, Stephanie’s journey is marked by a powerful realization: justice work is not just about raising voices but strategically organizing people for sustained impact. “This is about us recognizing our own identity and our own power,” Stephanie declares, sharing her conviction for a movement that transcends traditional political divides and speaks directly to the heart of community empowerment.
For Stephanie, organizing is not merely a method but a mission to restore energy and endurance to those fighting for racial justice. More than a series of actions, civic engagement is a lifeline that connects individual stories to collective power. She believes deeply in the impact of shared narratives: “Who are you, and what have you gone through, and how has that shaped you into who you are?”
Stephanie often describes her role as twofold: first, to train communities about the power of relational organizing—a model that builds on personal connections and shared experiences to foster a collective call to action. Second, to channel their collective powerinto dismantling the very systems that perpetuate inequality.
Stephanie’s efforts also emphasize the importance of healing within the justice space. “Healing comes from knowing you’re not alone in this struggle,” she often shares in her cohort sessions, where she facilitates vulnerable discussions that confront racial histories and systemic complicity.
Through her work, she encourages others to harness their personal experiences to initiate conversations that create space for healing and build understanding. For Stephanie, being part of the UNDIVIDED movement provides a platform for these critical conversations and training. Through the organization, she accesses resources and networks that amplify her impact, reaching more communities and individuals eager to engage in this transformative work. It’s not just about making noise; it’s about making a difference by truly listening and responding to the needs expressed by the community.
As Stephanie and the Michigan UNDIVIDED team plan for future projects, her focus remains clear: expand the scope of civic engagement to include more voices, particularly those often marginalized in public discourse.
With a clear passion for relational organizing, Stephanie emphasizes empathy over sympathy—walking alongside or even ahead to lead by example. “We’re going to teach people empathy in terms of what it’s actually like to walk alongside someone,” she explains, speaking to part of the UNDIVIDED cohort’s CARE framework. This approach fosters genuine connections, building a foundation for sustained activism that pushes past awareness into heartfelt involvement and tangible connections.
And Stephanie’s vision extends beyond individual events or interactions. She challenges everyone to think beyond their limitations and to act within their capacities to forge a future that reflects shared values and racial equity.
Join Stephanie and the broader UNDIVIDED community in redefining what it means to be civically engaged. Step into a cohort, participate in a workshop, or simply start a conversation within your community or network.
In the heart of New York City, amidst the vibrant chaos of the downtown art scene, Jesse Kreuzer crafts more than art; he invites dialogue. Driven by the tumult of 2020’s social unrest, Jesse uses his art to inspire viewers to explore the deeper narratives of American identity and the ongoing conversation around racial justice.
Jesse’s artwork does more than capture the eye—his studio is where challenging themes transform into compelling visual statements that invite onlookers to converse, question, reflect, and perhaps understand a little more about the world and themselves.
Jesse’s journey with UNDIVIDED began uniquely—with a painting. His art, born on the plywood that barricaded the city during tumultuous protests, caught UNDIVIDED’s attention, leading to a different conversation far from his studio. In Cincinnati, his engagement deepened, his art serving as a bridge to facilitate complex discussions about race, identity, and societal change. “I think there is some place for art that allows you to escape, but what I’m interested in is making art that allows you to look at something ugly for longer,” Jesse reflects on his approach to drawing observers into difficult discussions.
In 2023, Jesse accepted the invitation to join an UNDIVIDED cohort. There, he found a “brave space” conducive to authenticity, where the exchange of diverse perspectives was not just encouraged but essential. It was here that he expressed mixed feelings about intensely divisive topics—views he’d hesitated to share even among close friends. This environment wasn’t just about safe exchanges but about honest and vulnerable conversations that allowed for growth and understanding. Jesse’s experiences highlight the importance of creating environments where individuals can explore and express their nuanced views on complex subjects like patriotism, policing, and identity without fearing immediate judgment. The UNDIVIDED cohort fostered a space where Jesse and others could express their opinions on deeply divisive topics in a setting that valued respect and growth over comfort.
Jesse found he was able to empathize and connect throughout his cohort interactions, whether discussing his conflicted feelings about the American flag or his skepticism towards institutional religion. His openness about these struggles did not alienate but instead drew others closer, offering a shared space for reflection. His art and his words became a healing mechanism, not only for himself but also for others within the cohort who found solace and understanding in his honesty.
Jesse’s art and discussions within the cohort underscore the healing power of authenticity and the impact of genuine self-expression. “All that was required of me was to be my most authentic self and share that with others,” he recalls. By staying true to his vision and embracing the discomfort that comes with confronting difficult realities, Jesse inspires a heartfelt engagement with the challenges and beauties of our time. His presence and his art curated a space for personal growth, enabling healing and a sincere connection among cohort members.
Jesse’s story with UNDIVIDED illustrates how art can serve as a powerful conduit for dialogue, justice, and healing. His work and his words continue to inspire uncomfortable proximity with challenging issues, demonstrating that impactful art does not simplify but complexifies, inviting in-depth reflection and understanding.
Let Jesse’s story inspire you to consider how your creative or professional endeavors could serve as platforms for dialogue and change. Embrace the uncomfortable, seek authenticity and vulnerability, and discover how your unique voice can contribute to broader conversations about identity, racial justice, and community healing.
Watch the accompanying video to hear more about Jesse’s artistic journey, including his new endeavor into stained glass. Click below to experience his transformative story firsthand.