Dr. Ansel Augustine has served in ministry, in various capacities, for over 25 years.  He has mentored many youth and young adults, while also ministering to those on the margins (i.e. prison ministry) in his hometown of New Orleans and beyond.  You can learn more about his ministry at www.holyhotby.info.

David W. Robinson-Morris, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized scholar, author, public intellectual, speaker, and institutional leader whose work explores the intersections of imagination, justice, contemplative practice, and the flourishing of the human spirit. He is the Founder and Chief Reimaginelutionary of The REImaginelution and Founder and Executive Director of the Center for the Human Spirit and Radical Reimagining, a dream-think tank and convener dedicated to advancing equity healing, and systemic transformation through the collective social imagination.

Andrew Lyke, a Chicago native, is a longtime Catholic ministry leader known for marriage ministry and Black Catholic empowerment. With his wife, Terri, he co-founded Arusi Network, Inc., and for more than four decades, they have led marriage-enrichment programs nationwide, including work in culturally responsive ministry. Andrew is a speaker, author, and educator, and he and Terri co-authored Marriage On A Lampstand: Exploring a New Paradigm for Modern Christian Marriage. He also authored A Private Collection of Heartfelt Thoughts, a compilation of some of his writings over the years.  He served the Archdiocese of Chicago as Coordinator of Marriage Ministry (1999–2009) and later as Director of the Office for Black Catholics (2011–2015). An anti-racism activist, he facilitated “Recovery From Racisms” focus groups at DePaul University and helped found the Archdiocese’s “Dwell In My Love” Anti-Racism Taskforce, and he has participated in cultural immersion and pilgrimage travel in Africa. A cancer survivor (Acute Myeloid Leukemia, 2015 and 2017), Andrew continues consulting, advocacy, and marriage ministry. He and Terri have been married 50 years and are parents of two and grandparents of 6.

Charles Wiley is a community leader, serves in ministries and is an advocate for service. He previously served as a council member for the town of North Brentwood and currently serves as Parliamentarian for the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee. For more than 15 years, Charles has worked in non-public special education schools, dedicating his career to supporting students with unique educational and emotional needs. Guided by faith and a passion for helping others, Charles is currently pursuing a degree in psychology to further his mission of encouraging healing, growth, and understanding within his community. His ministries focus on compassion, unity, and uplifting people through both word and action. Outside of work and ministry, Charles enjoys fellowship, music, and cooking meals that bring people together. He believes that service is one of the greatest ways to reflect faith and inspire hope in others.

Ogheneruona Paul-Mark Eroma is an aspiring theologian, speaker, and catechetical leader whose work brings together theology, pastoral presence, and lived experience, with a particular passion for formation, belonging, and the ways culture shapes Christian identity and community. He graduates this summer with an M.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, IN, through the Echo Graduate Service Program. During his time in Echo, he combined graduate theological study with full-time parish ministry in the United States, serving in religious education and other formation and ministry programs at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. Paul-Mark is interested in African theology, theological anthropology, pastoral theology, and lay formation, especially within post-colonial and multicultural contexts. Prior to his graduate studies, he was engaged in industry and ministry work in Nigeria, with involvement in youth engagement and leadership. These experiences continue to shape his studies and work, focusing on how people understand and live their faith within the realities of culture, community, and everyday life. Paul-Mark is passionate about storytelling, meaningful conversation, and creating spaces where people feel fully seen and welcomed, especially within the Church. He continues to actively pursue his love for theology in service of a Church that forms people not only to believe, but to become fully alive in Christ.

Thomas James Nash, II; (better known as TeeJay), has a quote that he has lived by since he was in high school: “I do not wish to be the one that is quick to answer, I want to be the one that is willing to take the time to understand the question.” Asking critical questions has led TeeJay to live intentionally focused on what exactly is the meaning of life? That question will most likely become a lifelong exercise which he unabashedly welcomes as a worthwhile challenge. Raised in New Orleans, TeeJay earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Theology from Xavier University of Louisiana. He is now a Religion teacher in New Orleans and lives in Gentilly with his beautiful wife, Whitney and their royal toddler, Nazir. When not pondering deeply on why we are here and for what purpose, TeeJay is usually enjoying family, the Good Food in NOLA, writing poems, or listening to music. TeeJay’s prayer is to grow out of attachment to this world and fully grasp the realm of God, introduced to him through the Black experience and consciousness of the Catholic Church.

A son, brother, husband, father, friend and student, Gardis tries in every compacity to do God’s work in the community. Gardis is a cradle Catholic and raised on the south side of Chicago in the Morgan Park neighborhood. He grew up at Holy Name of Mary parish (now Our Lady of Kibeho), a church established by Black Catholics, where he attended for 45 years. Gardis now attends Our Lady of Africa in Chicago's historical Bronzeville neighborhood, where he serves in various ministerial roles. Gardis has earned a Master of Divinity and Certificate in Black Theology and Ministry at Catholic Theological Union. His ministry is not confined to the parish. He is currently the campus minister at Holy Trinity high school. Gardis is one of the co-founders of the Chicago Black Catholics Alliance, the organization that publishes The Pulse of Black Catholic Chicago.

Magnificent Men are Magicians