Sojourners

"As history has shown, when the private sector pulls back, the ripple effects extend far beyond Wall Street, creating a chilling effect on the nonprofit sector, where DEI initiatives are often critical to fulfilling missions of social good," writes Adam Taylor, who makes the moral and practical case for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Taylor is the president of Sojourners and a member of the Board of Directors at Independent Sector. He continues, "Without these initiatives, we risk reverting to environments where homogeneity is the norm, bias and discrimination go more unchecked, and the status quo remains unchallenged, where our nation will increasingly default to the belief that competence and privilege lie first and foremost with white men, a belief and practice that has defined much of our history, contradicts our best civic and religious values, and makes our workplaces less competitive." ????Full article on Word In Black: https://lnkd.in/eD7cSWJY

Faith based aid and advocacy organizations say that Trump and Musk have permanently damaged USAID. After Trump’s executive order, the State Department issued a waiver for the funding of “life-saving” programs. But trying to determine which foods and medications count as “life-saving” has resulted in confusion while shipments of those very foods and medications rot and expire in waiting, Rev. Heather L. Taylor, J.D. managing director of Bread for the World, told Sojourners. “Even if you suddenly say press go again … people are starving and the food that was good is not good anymore,” Taylor said. For direct aid providers like World Vision, the tension has remained high, as they wait to see what will count as lifesaving according to the State Department waiver. Like other agencies, they want to make clear that their mission is to save lives. Even with baseless allegations that they and other aid groups are wasting government funds, World Vision said they welcome accountability. While Bread for the World continues to track and advocate for programs at risk of being permanently cut, Taylor reiterated the importance of church-based advocacy. Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents that the anti-hunger efforts of the federal government matter to the electorate, she said. ??Full article: https://lnkd.in/e-ZAff6Z

?? Today we're celebrating #StudentPressFreedomDay with the Student Press Law Center. At Sojourners, we’re committed to nurturing the next generation of writers who bring faith, justice, and truth to the forefront. That’s why we’re proud to highlight two incredible students from the Sojourners Journalism Cohort. ??Hannah Keziah Agustin (Spring 2024 Cohort): ??Favorite story? Writing about riding the bus in "Jesus Rode a Donkey. I Ride the Bus." It challenged me to merge personal narrative, journalistic reporting, and theology—a tall order, but with amazing editorial support, I made it happen. Biggest takeaway? Confidence! My cohort encouraged my ideas, my editors championed my voice, and guest speakers expanded my understanding of the journalism industry. ??María Celeste Masís (Fall 2024 Cohort): ??Favorite story? “Meet the Christians Countering ‘Your Body, My Choice.’” This piece let me cover an issue I’d witnessed firsthand online—one that’s both politically relevant and deeply tied to faith. It was an opportunity to interview experts, amplify affected voices, and engage with a tough topic that many religious spaces avoid. ??Biggest takeaway? A deepened passion for journalism. Writing for Sojourners showed me how faith-based reporting can address complex social justice issues. It also gave me professional insights, career direction, and a stronger journalistic voice. The media faces challenging times, but the next generation of journalists is stepping up, making an impact, and proving that truth-telling endures. ??Learn more about the program, alumni, and their work: https://lnkd.in/d-JXVGnC

?? Why is celebrating Black History more than just remembrance? In this powerful piece for Good Faith Media, Robert Callahan explores how honoring Black history is an act of resistance—one that challenges injustice and affirms dignity. "Black history is the story of an ostracized people embodying American ideals despite opposition from American culture. It is the story of exceptionalism without credit. It is triumph to spite trauma. It is an immovable obelisk dedicated to resilience. And it is an account we continue to write–too vast to be chronicled or contained within the month of February.? Black history is our commitment to remembering–not just what we have done, but all we are capable of." ?? Full article: https://lnkd.in/esuNsaXw

The late Salvadoran archbishop and liberation theologian, St. óscar Romero is the subject of a new true crime podcast hosted by Jasmine Romero (no relation), a journalist and executive producer at NPR. Josiah R. Daniels, online senior associate opinion editor at Sojourners, recently spoke with Jasmine about what drove her to investigate Romero’s assassination and the many connections between past and present day U.S. politics. "El Salvador is a very small country, but we have our people everywhere. But if you ask somebody, “Who is a famous Salvadoran?” There’s not really a whole lot of people that people know. óscar Romero is, like, one of the few figures that has really broken through in terms of cultural relevance. So, that’s what started me on my journey. And then it obviously took me to some pretty wild places." - Jasmine Romero Nearly 50 years later, questions continue to swirl about who killed óscar Romero, why his death sparked the Salvadoran Civil War, to what extent the U.S. was involved in his murder, and what his murder reveals about the U.S. government’s strategy of installing and supporting regimes that brazenly commit human rights violations. Jasmine attempts to answer these questions and more in a the podcast series — Sacred Scandal: Nation of Saints?— which is dedicated to the slain Romero and the fallout surrounding his assassination. Full interview: https://lnkd.in/eVuzmXkU

The drastic actions to dismantle USAID have created an unprecedented crisis with immediate and dire consequences. In many cases food distribution has been halted, medical clinics cannot provide life-saving services, and aid has been stopped in transit. Put simply, lives and livelihoods are on the line. Sojourners' President Adam Taylor shared, "I’ve seen firsthand how USAID — often in partnership with U.S.-based nonprofits, including faith-based organizations such as World Vision and Catholic Relief Services — operates these critical programs in many of the most challenging places in the world. Ending USAID’s work around the world is both foreign policy malpractice and a deeply short-sighted economic move — not to mention a direct assault on the many commands from the Christian faith to love and protect the most vulnerable." Those who follow the teachings of Jesus prioritize caring for those most in need: “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35) As the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world, the United States has a moral imperative to protect human dignity and make things better for as many people as possible. #SaveForeignAid

“There are rents and supports for hundreds of families I am not sure how to pay right now. Families that worked hard to get off the streets, who may go right back. Many of them working, but unable to fully afford rent in the current housing crisis,” Stacey Hall Burge, CEO of Found House Interfaith Housing Network, told Ken Chitwood for Sojourners. “Housing is not a political issue, it’s a human right,” she continued. Working with hundreds of families every year to provide emergency shelter and, with the help of the federal government, temporary rental subsidies and long-term housing support, Burge has seen firsthand how whole communities fare better when people are housed. Found House provides emergency shelter and housing programs for homeless families in Cincinnati, Ohio and surrounding areas.?For the past 30 years, the organization has been a beacon of hope for families they may have nowhere else to turn. For Found House, the saga began when the White House’s Office of Management and Budget issued a memo?freezing all federal grants and loans on Jan. 27, following an executive order from President Donald Trump requiring all federal agencies to “temporarily pause all activities related to … disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.” Though the OMB memo was rescinded, nonprofit leaders remain nervous, anxious about what the future holds for their organizations, staff, and the families and individuals they serve. “The question becomes: What do we actually have to work with?” said Burge. Found House’s current contracts with the Department of Housing and Urban Development go through the end of June, but Burge and colleagues are openly questioning if those are safe. “The honest answer is: We are not sure.”

?Are you ready to turn your faith into action and make a real impact? At Sojourners, we’re all about living out the Biblical call to social justice. Through our publication, advocacy, and mobilizing efforts, we’re inspiring hope and driving faith-rooted action for a better, more just world. If you’re passionate about using your skills to help others thrive—and want to work at the intersection of faith and justice—we’d love to connect with you! ?We currently have several exciting opportunities open for folks who want to bring their digital expertise to this movement: - Digital Education and Outreach Specialist - Digital Content and Community Specialist - Digital Mobilization Manager ?We’re also hiring for: - Chief Program and Impact Officer - Political Director - Fellowship Program (6 positions available) Check out all our open positions and join us in creating change ? https://lnkd.in/eFiVNQzG

Today The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy with a Beloved Community Commemorative Service. The video recording of this service will lift your spirit today, with beautiful music, contributions from students, activists, pastors and theologians, including keynote speaker Rev. Dr. William J. Barber.