Lakeya (Omogun) Afolalu, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Language, Literacy, and Culture at The University of Washington. She is also a creative writer and speaker. Her artistic nature is infused in all her roles, which have one common goal — to shift static ideas about identity.

Her hybrid identity as a Nigerian and Black American coupled with her experience as a former middle school teacher influenced her current research project, which explores Black African immigrant youth schooling experiences in the United States. She focuses on how their new experiences with race in America (re)shapes their identity, language, and culture.

Her creative writing and public speaking have fostered public conversations and social impact in relation to identity and race, reaching over 180,000 readers and listeners. She has been featured in ESSENCE Magazine and ZORA Magazine. She has also spoken on TEDx and NPR.

Outside of work, Lakeya loves to visit her favorite people and new places. She enjoys hitting the gym or going for a peaceful walk. When she is not on the move, she is either trying a new recipe or slowly moving through a TV series. She likes to think that she has mastered anti-binge-watching shows. In fact, she considers it an art.

Kat Armas (MDiv and MAT, Fuller Theological Seminary), a Cuban American writer and speaker, hosts The Protagonistas podcast, where she highlights stories of everyday women of color, including writers, pastors, church leaders, and theologians. She is the author of Abuelita Faith and has written for Christianity Today, Sojourners, Relevant, Christians for Biblical Equality, Fuller Youth Institute, Fathom magazine, and Missio Alliance. Armas speaks regularly at conferences on race and justice and lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Madeline is a University of Illinois InterVarsity alum. She is currently the Assistant Area Director serving the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and surrounding colleges. One of her favorite aspects of hospitality is helping people feel like they can help themselves to anything in the kitchen.

Andy is a Northwestern University InterVarsity alum. He served on campus there for seven years and now serves as the Multiethnic Resource Director in the Multiethnic Initiatives/Creative Labs department overseeing InterVarsity’s Ministry Playbook. One of his favorite aspects of hospitality is planning for food that meets guests where they’re at while also stretching them a little. They’ve both served on InterVarsity staff for fifteen years, been married for eight years, and live in Urbana, IL with their two-year-old son. Their guest room is always ready.

Beth Allison Barr (PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) is the James Vardaman Professor of History at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she specializes in medieval history, women's history, and church history. She recently served as president of the Conference on Faith and History (2018-2021) and is an active supporter of Christians for Biblical Equality. Barr is a regular contributor to The Anxious Bench, the popular Patheos website on religious history, and has written for Christianity Today, the Washington Post, Religion News Service, The Dallas Morning News, Sojourners, and Baptist News Global. Her work has been featured by NPR and The New Yorker. She is also a Baptist pastor's wife and the mom of two great kids.

Cristina brings a wealth of industry experience to her current role on the Finance faculty of the University of Miami. She holds a PhD from Texas A&M University. In addition, she serves on staff with InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries working with U of M faculty to help them bring together their life in Christ and their awork. Cristina and her daughter — an avid horse racing fan — attended this year’s Kentucky Derby. Her son just completed his first year at BGSU in Ohio and is looking forward to his 2nd year.

Jana is an Associate Professor of Voice and the Voice Area Coordinator in the School of Music at Kennesaw State University. Jana, a soprano, received her undergraduate vocal training at Baylor University, and holds two degrees; a BMEd and a BM in Vocal Pedagogy as well as a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Louisiana. A native Louisianan, Jana now lives in Kennesaw, Georgia with her dog Buster.

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at InterVarsity Press. An award-winning writer, she has frequently covered issues of race, ethnicity, and identity in her articles and books which include The Missional Mom and Growing Healthy Asian American Churches. Helen is a frequent conference speaker, the co-founder of Ink Creative Collective and Best Christian Workplaces Institute, and the producer of several podcasts including Get in The Word with Truth’s Table.

Christina Barland Edmondson is a higher education instructor, organizational consultant, and co-host of the Truth's Table podcast. She is the coauthor of Faithful Antiracism and has served in a variety of roles in higher education including as the Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin University. She is also a certified Cultural Intelligence facilitator, public speaker, mental health therapist, and a consultant in the areas of ethics, equity, and Christian leadership development.

Christina holds a PhD in counseling psychology from Tennessee State University, an MS degree in family therapy from the University of Rochester, and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Hampton University. Her writing has been seen and referenced in a variety of outlets including Essence.com, YourBlackWorld.com, and Gospel Today magazine.