What does it take to become Beloved Community?

In Part 2 of Faith Under Fire, we move beyond naming spiritual trauma to the harder work of cultivating communities rooted in dignity, accountability, and care.

Our panel explores what it takes to create spaces where people can tell the truth about racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other barriers to belonging without being left to carry those burdens alone. We discuss restorative practices, courageous leadership, and why real belonging requires more than simply saying, “All are welcome.”

From the liberatory roots of faith traditions to the responsibilities of faith leaders in this political moment, this conversation reveals what faith communities can become when they are willing to move beyond comfort and toward transformation.

ABOUT THE PANEL

Adonis Lewis II is a Black/Mexican queer organizer, strategist, and movement leader whose work centers healing, justice, and collective liberation. With nearly two decades of experience supporting grassroots movements and historically marginalized communities, Adonis has led work spanning disaster recovery, restorative justice, digital equity, and queer and trans youth advocacy. He currently serves as Director of Strategy and Impact at the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Asheville (RSAA), leading with radical empathy, accountability, and a deep commitment to collective freedom.

Rev. Claudia Jiménez is a Unitarian Universalist community minister based in Asheville, NC, whose work centers collective liberation, racial equity, immigration justice, and faith-rooted community building. A longtime educator, minister, and leader in faith formation, she is also part of the Racial Equity Collective, which organizes Racial Equity Institute trainings in Asheville. Claudia brings a deeply relational approach to justice work grounded in collaboration, belonging, and thriving for all.

Malachi Gasaway is a native of Asheville, NC, a Christian, and a queer man whose journey through faith and identity continues to shape his commitment to justice-centered spirituality and authentic belonging. He currently serves as a ruling elder at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Sara Wilcox is the founding and sole pastor of Land of the Sky United Church of Christ in Asheville, NC, where she works to build faith communities rooted in justice, belonging, and abundant love. Grounded in progressive Christian theology and a deep commitment to collective liberation, Sara’s work bridges pastoral care, community organizing, sanctuary work, and faith-based justice movements. She believes deeply in the power of relationship, collaboration, and courageous community to transform both the church and the world.

Rev. Sean Hasker Palmer is Executive Director of the historic YMI Cultural Center in Asheville, NC, and a nationally recognized leader in Black cultural and educational spaces. An ordained minister, educator, and cultural strategist, Sean’s work weaves Black faith traditions, community leadership, activism, and collective liberation. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at NC A&T and working on a forthcoming book of poetry and preaching titled Black and Therefore Beautiful: Meditations for My People.

🔌 Plug in to find fuel for the long haul.

We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What happens when the place meant to heal you becomes the source of harm?

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation on spiritual trauma and the role of faith communities in social justice.

In this month's episode, five people of faith come together to unpack church hurt and what repair actually requires from communities that claim love.

While white Christian nationalism continues to weaponize faith to police belonging, justify exclusion, and reinforce supremacy culture, many people are still searching for spiritual community, accountability, and healing. This conversation goes deep into conversion therapy, queer faith journeys, liberation theology, forgiveness, and the difficult work of building spaces rooted in dignity, belonging, and becoming.

The message? Bad theology harms. But healing is still possible.

ABOUT THE PANEL

Adonis Lewis II is a Black/Mexican queer organizer, strategist, and movement leader whose work centers healing, justice, and collective liberation. With nearly two decades of experience supporting grassroots movements and historically marginalized communities, Adonis has led work spanning disaster recovery, restorative justice, digital equity, and queer and trans youth advocacy. He currently serves as Director of Strategy and Impact at the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Asheville (RSAA), leading with radical empathy, accountability, and a deep commitment to collective freedom.

Rev. Claudia Jiménez is a Unitarian Universalist community minister based in Asheville, NC, whose work centers collective liberation, racial equity, immigration justice, and faith-rooted community building. A longtime educator, minister, and leader in faith formation, she is also part of the Racial Equity Collective, which organizes Racial Equity Institute trainings in Asheville. Claudia brings a deeply relational approach to justice work grounded in collaboration, belonging, and thriving for all.

Malachi Gasaway is a native of Asheville, NC, a Christian, and a queer man whose journey through faith and identity continues to shape his commitment to justice-centered spirituality and authentic belonging. He currently serves as a ruling elder at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Sara Wilcox is the founding and sole pastor of Land of the Sky United Church of Christ in Asheville, NC, where she works to build faith communities rooted in justice, belonging, and abundant love. Grounded in progressive Christian theology and a deep commitment to collective liberation, Sara’s work bridges pastoral care, community organizing, sanctuary work, and faith-based justice movements. She believes deeply in the power of relationship, collaboration, and courageous community to transform both the church and the world.

Rev. Sean Hasker Palmer is Executive Director of the historic YMI Cultural Center in Asheville, NC, and a nationally recognized leader in Black cultural and educational spaces. An ordained minister, educator, and cultural strategist, Sean’s work weaves Black faith traditions, community leadership, activism, and collective liberation. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at NC A&T and working on a forthcoming book of poetry and preaching titled Black and Therefore Beautiful: Meditations for My People.

🎧 Press play to hear courageous faith in action.

We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What happens when community leads—and resources follow?

In this episode, we spotlight what became possible through Tzedek’s 2025 Community-Led Grantmaking process, where five local community members helped move $500,000 into Western North Carolina through a strategic funding partnership with Dogwood Health Trust, which matched that investment dollar for dollar.

The priorities were clear: People are craving connection, support, and spaces that help move beyond survival mode.

The response? Community built the answer. What emerged were solutions and visions already alive in the region, now resourced to grow:

• The People’s Place AVL is building civic fabric across lines of difference through relational dinners that spark reflection, collaboration, and action.
• LoveJoyLiberation Community Relations Firm is leveraging youth-led, intergenerational play as a tool for joy, healing, and belonging.
• Aflorar Herb Collective Climate Resilience Hub brings together climate resilience, herbal care, and rest through a grassroots model rooted in sustainability and collective healing.
• YWCA of Asheville is advancing inclusive infrastructure, digital access, and expanded safety while reimagining community care.

The result? Real connection. Real care. Real momentum.

This episode is a reminder that the people closest to the challenges are often closest to the solutions. When communities are trusted with resources, they don’t just imagine better futures; they build them.

🎧 Press play to hear what community made possible.

MEET THE COMMUNITY BUILDERS

David Greenson is a longtime grassroots organizer, bridge-builder, and co-founder of The People’s Place AVL. With roots in Oakland, New York City, and now Asheville, his decades of movement work center racial justice, accountability, and helping people connect across lines of difference to build shared power.

alexandria monque ravenel is a creative, spiritualist, and independent educator whose work centers empowerment, culture, and community connection. A native New Yorker now rooted in Western North Carolina, she co-founded The People’s Place AVL and Noir Collective AVL, a Black-owned boutique, art gallery, and bookstore featuring Black entrepreneurs, located on “The Block” within the retail spaces of YMI Cultural Center, one of the oldest operating African American cultural centers in the United States.

Dr. Amieris Lavender (“Dr. L”) is a visionary strategist and founder of LoveJoyLiberation Community Relations Firm. A storyteller, creative, gardener, and community builder, she specializes in turning bold ideas into people-centered systems and joyful public experiences.

Sarah Nuñez, PhD, is a cultural worker, educator, and community organizer based in Asheville. She is a co-founder of Aflorar Herb Collective and is leading the development of its Climate Resilience Hub, in collaboration with Sarita's Healing Hub. Her work weaves herbalism, healing justice, art, and movement-building to strengthen community care networks.

Diana Sierra is the CEO of YWCA of Asheville and its first Latina and openly gay leader. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she brings experience across direct service, county government, and nonprofit leadership focused on empowerment, access, and community wellbeing.

We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.