How I've Changed
I have become a more fearless, more spiritually connected version of myself.
Memorable Moment
The moment I stopped feeling like an imposter and realized that I belong here. After that moment, I focused my energies and worked to use the rest of my time at HDS as an experimental container for innovative spiritual caregiving and creating alternative spiritual community for BIPOC.
Favorite Class or Professor
Terry Tempest Williams's Finding Beauty in a Broken World. Terry was relentless in reminding me that I am an artist and creative, and that the world needs my particular story. The braided essay I wrote in her class was the seed that turned my MDiv thesis into a longer creative memoir about gender transition, sexuality, Christianity, chaplaincy education and going to Taiwan to find my ancestors. Thank you, Terry, I am honored to call you teacher and friend.
Message of Thanks
Thank you, Dean Teddy, for your gentle advising and showing me the brilliant and celebratory heart of preaching in the Black Church. Thank you, Monica, for employing me to do research and write for the guidebook, "Brightly Shining Jewel: How Sanghas Can Care for Their Chaplains." Thank you, Dr. Giles, for seeing and encouraging the chaplain in me during my first semester at HDS in your class. Thank you, Dean Melissa and Steph, for holding the school's grief and joy in the pursuit of justice. Thank you, Katie and Matt, for your immense administrative support in getting resources for us to run the Greenhouse. Thank you, exceptional co-founders and co-facilitators, Auds and Eve, for helping create a special sanctuary for BIPOC students across campus. And finally, thank you to my wife Bunny for her endless love, patience and support as I live into my spiritual leadership.
What I Hope to Be Remembered By
Being an essential community member at HDS. Co-founding BBSnax, the only BIPOC networking and resource sharing student group at HDS. Co-founding the Greenhouse, a beloved BIPOC healing sanctuary and ritual lab.
Future Plans
My plan is to be hired as an interfaith university chaplain in the Boston area. My plan is to secure funding to continue the Greenhouse by exploring the role that ritual experimentation can play in a non-traditional spiritual container rich with BIPOC cultural histories and experiences.