Justice advocate to speak at Northwestern College

Reesheda Graham-Washington, executive director of Communities First Association in Oak Park, Ill., will speak in two Northwestern College chapel services, Jan. 21 and 22. Both events will take place in Christ Chapel and are free and open to the public.

During a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day chapel service at 10:05 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, Graham-Washington will speak on “Soul Force: Seven Pivots Toward Courage, Community and Change.” On Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 11:05 a.m., Graham-Washington’s presentation will focus on “A God Who is With Us: Our Posturing Toward a Better World.” She will also speak to the campus community in an evening lecture on Jan. 21.

Graham-Washington is an experienced educator and administrator, a licensed minister and coach, and co-author of a book titled “Soul Force.” A sought-after speaker, she travels across the U.S. and around the world, focusing her efforts on initiatives that touch on subjects of equity, appropriation, contemplative mindfulness, peacemaking and reconciliatory practices.

“Reesheda is a winsome leader and voice regarding systemic issues of injustice,” says Mark DeYounge, Northwestern’s dean of Christian formation. “She is wise and inviting in the way she speaks about difficult topics, ultimately calling the community of faith to more fully enter into our calling as ambassadors of reconciliation. In many ways, Reesheda will help us grow in our integration of a gospel that’s infused with the DNA of biblical justice.”

In addition to her work with Communities First Association—a national, faith-based learning organization focused on the multiplication of community, economic development and equity—Graham-Washington is the founding CEO of L!VE 2.0,  a coffeehouse company focused on transformation through social innovation, experience and enterprise.