This year, we are excited to welcome Reesheda Graham-Washington and Shawn Casselberry as our keynote speakers. They are the co-authors of Soul Force: Seven Pivots Towards Community, Courage, and Change and will be leading conversations based on their work with leaders seeking to bring about faithful change within their communities.
Reesheda Graham-Washington
Reesheda Graham-Washington is the executive director of Communities First Association, a faith-based nonprofit committed to asset-based community development. She coaches leaders in building community and developing sustainable and equitable practices within their organizations. Graham-Washington tapped into soul force to launch L!VE Cafe, an experimental community space that serves artisanal coffee and brings people together from across Chicago for conversation and mutual transformation.
Graham-Washington is commissioned as a licensed minister through Suburban Life Community Church and is a former teacher and administrator for Chicago Public Schools. She has three daughters and is deeply rooted in Chicago.
Shawn Casselberry
Shawn Casselberry is executive director of Mission Year, a yearlong urban ministry program that empowers young people to live a lifestyle of love and justice. He taps into soul force as a neighborhood advocate, youth mentor, prison volunteer, and justice activist.
Casselberry is author of God Is in the City: Encounters of Grace and Transformation. He has a master’s degree in world missions and evangelism from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry degree in Building Beloved Community from McCormick Theological Seminary. He and his wife Jen, live in Chicago.
