The UPLift with Tzedek: Real Talk for Real Change

What happens when community leads—and resources follow? In this episode, we spotlight what became possible through Tzedek’s 2025 Community-Led Grantmaking process, where five local community members helped move $500,000 into Western North Carolina through a strategic funding partnership with Dogwood Health Trust, which matched that investment dollar for dollar.The priorities were clear: People are craving connection, support, and spaces that help move beyond survival mode.The response? Community built the answer. What emerged were solutions and visions already alive in the region, now resourced to grow:The People’s Place AVL is building civic fabric across lines of difference through relational dinners that spark reflection, collaboration, and action.LoveJoyLiberation Community Relations Firm is leveraging youth-led, intergenerational play as a tool for joy, healing, and belonging.Aflorar Herb Collective Climate Resilience Hub brings together climate resilience, herbal care, and rest through a grassroots model rooted in sustainability and collective healing.YWCA of Asheville is advancing inclusive infrastructure, digital access, and expanded safety while reimagining community care.The result? Real connection. Real care. Real momentum.This episode is a reminder that the people closest to the challenges are often closest to the solutions. When communities are trusted with resources, they don’t just imagine better futures; they build them.🎧 Press play to hear what community made possible.MEET THE COMMUNITY BUILDERSDavid Greenson is a longtime grassroots organizer, bridge-builder, and co-founder of The People’s Place AVL. With roots in Oakland, New York City, and now Asheville, his decades of movement work center racial justice, accountability, and helping people connect across lines of difference to build shared power.alexandria monque ravenel is a creative, spiritualist, and independent educator whose work centers empowerment, culture, and community connection. A native New Yorker now rooted in Western North Carolina, she co-founded The People’s Place AVL and Noir Collective AVL, a Black-owned boutique, art gallery, and bookstore featuring Black entrepreneurs, located on “The Block” within the retail spaces of YMI Cultural Center, one of the oldest operating African American cultural centers in the United States.Dr. Amieris Lavender (“Dr. L”) is a visionary strategist and founder of LoveJoyLiberation Community Relations Firm. A storyteller, creative, gardener, and community builder, she specializes in turning bold ideas into people-centered systems and joyful public experiences.Sarah Nuñez, PhD, is a cultural worker, educator, and community organizer based in Asheville. She is a co-founder of Aflorar Herb Collective and is leading the development of its Climate Resilience Hub, in collaboration with Sarita's Healing Hub. Her work weaves herbalism, healing justice, art, and movement-building to strengthen community care networks.Diana Sierra is the CEO of YWCA of Asheville and its first Latina and openly gay leader. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she brings experience across direct service, county government, and nonprofit lWe'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What if shelter wasn’t the end goal, but the beginning of coming home? Join us as Christian Chambers of Safe Shelter breaks down how relationships and radical hospitality are redefining shelter in Asheville.At Safe Shelter, people aren’t “clients.” They’re guests.Led by community health workers and peer leaders with lived experience, Safe Shelter’s practical, wraparound support model centers dignity, trust, and connection. It’s a place where families stay together in all their forms. Pets are welcome. Community dinners replace isolation with belonging. And support goes beyond a bed for the night. We’re talking real pathways to permanent housing.This is what home work looks like at Safe Shelter: real safety, real trust, real possibility.About Christian: Christian Chambers is the Executive Director of Safe Shelter in Asheville, a community-driven nonprofit program of Counterflow that connects people to permanent housing through dignity-centered, holistic care. With both lived and professional experience navigating housing instability, Christian leads a team of community health workers and peer support specialists, building pathways rooted in trusting relationships, shared joy, and real-world support. He brings a deeply interpersonal approach to leadership, grounded in the belief that transformation happens through consistency, proximity, and showing up when it matters most.Safe Shelter reimagines what it means to belong. And this conversation is a grounded look at what happens when dignity leads.🎧 Press play to recharge.🌐 Learn more at safeshelterasheville.org.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What if your morning coffee could change lives? In this episode of The UPLift, we sit down with the Deep Time AVL team to explore how unfiltered engagement, meaningful employment, and fierce collaboration are reshaping reentry in Asheville—one cup at a time. At Deep Time, coffee becomes the unlikely bridge between prison and possibility. Operating as a coffee roastery and café run with, by, and for people impacted by incarceration, Deep Time blends social enterprise rigor with trauma-informed care and wraparound support. The aim isn’t temporary relief. It’s dignity. It’s skill-building. It’s reducing recidivism by strengthening the social determinants of freedom: housing, work, belonging, and community. The result? Real connection. Real trust. Real transformation.Deep Time isn’t charity. It’s kinship with a paycheck. And this conversation is a proven playbook for second-chance hiring and community-based recovery.About Dustin: Rev. Dustin M. Mailman is a friend of those whom the so-called empire deems disinherited. As the Founding Pastor of Deep Time, he sits at the intersection of care, grassroots organizing, and solidarity-based approaches to faith formation. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University and Emory University, and is an Elder in Full Connection in the United Methodist Church.About Marisa: Marisa Johnson is a dedicated Sojourner at Deep Time Coffee, a community she gratefully calls both a workplace and a family. After overcoming significant life challenges, including rebuilding her life following a 10-year period of incarceration, Marisa has embraced Deep Time as a meaningful place of stability, growth, and purpose. Grounded in faith and resilience, she is committed to personal development and to the continued journey of transformation ahead. Marisa looks optimistically toward her growth and transformation through God and Deep Time.About Shilone: Shilone Knight is the Head Barista at Deep Time. He is fascinated with the work and healing he’s found at Deep Time. He is passionate about leading other Sojourners by example, so everyone has a shot at being in community. Want to help fuel change?🎧 Press play.☕ Visit the café.📦 Subscribe to monthly beans at deeptimeavl.org.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What does it mean to protect Black space in a moment set on erasure? In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Sean Palmer, Executive Director of the historic YMI Cultural Center, for a grounded, wide-ranging conversation about Black institutions, cultural memory, and the high-stakes work of building Black futures together.Sean invites listeners to see Black cultural centers not as static organizations, but as living organisms shaped by joy and grief, strategy and spirit, history and imagination.The challenge: To steward legacy without freezing it in time.In a moment where Black space is under threat through policy, funding decisions, and cultural amnesia, Sean weighs in on what it takes to lead with both courage and care. From dismantling plantation logic in cultural center leadership to naming the danger of siloed Black organizing, this conversation is both a reckoning and a roadmap.The YMI’s role? Preservation and possibility. Memory and movement. As Sean puts it: “This is a place of Sankofa. We will go back and fetch it—and we will take it into our Afro future.”About Sean: Rev. Sean Hasker Palmer is a seasoned higher education leader with 20+ years of experience and a national expert in Black Cultural Centers. He currently serves as Executive Director of the historic YMI Cultural Center in Asheville, NC, following eight award-winning years at UNC Wilmington's Upperman Center. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a Commissioner on the Gullah Geechee Corridor, Sean is also Vice President of the Association for Black Culture Centers (ABCC). He is the former supply pastor of Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC, and he is pursuing his Ph.D. at NC A&T. Sean has been working on a book that combines poetry and preaching entitled Black and Therefore Beautiful: Meditations for My People.🎧 Ready to help snatch back what's owed — with interest? Hit play.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What happens when everyday people stop waiting for permission and start organizing for liberation? This month, Paula Swepson Avery, Tzedek's 2025 Ella Baker Brilliance Award recipient, shares her journey into community organizing. It didn't begin with a plan or a grant, but with a plate of food, a room full of neighbors, and a question that changed everything: What is your vision for your community?That simple ask sparked a new way of thinking about power, one grounded in listening, trust, and shared responsibility rather than titles or credentials.About Paula:Paula Swepson Avery spent over 28 years as a CNC programmer and machine room manager before discovering her calling as a grassroots community leader in Marion, NC. When layoffs brought her manufacturing career to an end, Paula turned toward mutual aid, gathering neighbors, building relationships, and co-creating a new vision of people-powered possibilities. She is the Founder and Executive Director of West Marion, Inc., the first and only Black-led nonprofit in McDowell County.From starting a community garden to reclaiming a historic Black school building to imagining a future resilience hub, West Marion's work shows what's possible when dignity is treated as a non-negotiable. A visionary and equity-driven leader, Paula has grown the organization from $10,000 in seed funding in 2016 to a $1.2 million annual operating budget in 2024.Her strategy secret? "Chase the work, not the money." It's a reminder that movements built on hot meals, deep listening, and a shared sense of belonging are often the most powerful.Paula is the recipient of the 2025 Ella Baker Brilliance Award, which honors a Black community leader in Asheville who has empowered and organized others to address systemic oppression.🎧 Hit play to be inspired by the energy that comes from working with—not just for—community.Visit westmarion.org to support West Marion Inc.'s transformative work, including its ambitious $15 million legacy project.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Coupons, queerness, and calling in? Yes, it’s all connected! We’re back with another episode of The UPLift, and this one’s special because we’re welcoming Bridgitt Belanger, our new Director of Mindful Operations and Finance, to the team and to the mic.So what happens when money, metrics, and meaning actually line up with people’s lives? When soul and spreadsheets intersect?This conversation isn’t just about budgets; it’s about belonging, visibility, and balancing numbers with humanity. We’re getting into what it really means to bring your whole self to social justice work as Bridgitt shares what it’s like to live as a nonbinary, neurodivergent person, trading anonymity for authenticity, and how small acts of recognition—from correctly spelling a name to honoring pronouns—make a world of difference.This episode is a candid invitation into vulnerability, growth, and learning to lead with consent and courage.Curious how mindfulness can bring more heart and healing to the ledger? Tune in.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

The South holds stories that refuse to fade—stories of resilience, reckoning, and renewal. For queer and trans Southerners, those stories are often equal parts love letter and liberation map. In this episode, we sit down with Al Murray, Tzedek’s 2025 Pauli Murray Brilliance Award recipient, whose work reminds us that belonging isn’t found, it’s built. Raised in rural Western Kentucky and now rooted in Asheville, Al shares their journey through art, activism, and identity: from escaping the small-town South to returning home to reconcile with its complexities. With humor and heart, they explore what it means to stay, to fight for joy, and to refuse the myth that the South belongs to anyone else.Together, we weigh: What does it mean to build bridges instead of walls? To stay complicated, visible, and connected in a place that doesn’t always feel safe?About Al:Al Murray (they/them) is a queer, nonbinary, trans artist, storyteller, and community strategist whose work bridges creativity and justice across the American South. A self-described “poor kid from rural Western Kentucky turned Southern builder,” Al brings a rare mix of artistry, grit, and systems thinking to their leadership. Currently serving with the WNC Health Network, they focus on data equity and community-driven storytelling that transforms public health into collective action.Before joining WNC Health Network, Al helped launch Southern Equality Studios at the Campaign for Southern Equality, a program uplifting queer Southern artists through creative visibility and resource sharing. Their career has spanned youth advocacy, harm reduction, and arts-based liberation work, all grounded in a deep belief that we heal when we know one another’s stories.Al is the 2025 Tzedek Pauli Murray Brilliance Award recipient, honored for their intersectional leadership and unwavering commitment to collective liberation in Asheville and beyond.Whether you’re a creative, activist, or anyone learning how to stay rooted while building a more just world, this episode is a reminder that our stories are bridges, and that joy, too, is an act of resistance.Press play and remember: We were built for this.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What happens when grantmaking power is placed directly in the hands of the community? SPOILER ALERT: Amazing things.In this episode, we pull back the curtain on how the Tzedek Social Justice Fund flips the script on philanthropy-as-usual by placing community at the center of decision-making. Tera Coffey, Tzedek's Director of Community-Led Grantmaking, shares her reflections alongside members of the 2024-2025 CLG Committee (CLGC), who bring their stories, struggles, and discoveries to the mix.Together, they reveal how shifting decision-making to often-overlooked communities builds trust, sparks transformation, and moves both money and power in tangible ways.Curious what’s possible when philanthropy follows community's lead? Tune in.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

The silence that descends after community trauma can be deafening. In the aftermath of October 7th, Jewish leaders across Western North Carolina were met with exactly that: grief, fear, and deep uncertainty about how—or even whether—to speak to one another again.In this episode, we sit down with Judy Leavitt, Frank Goldsmith, and Sam Kaplan of the Jewish Leadership Collaborative of WNC, a volunteer-led coalition of over a dozen organizations working across difference to strengthen community ties. With support from Resetting the Table, they launched a series of brave, small-group conversations designed to move their community from division to dialogue—and to answer the question: How can we simply learn to talk to each other again?About Frank: Frank Goldsmith is a longtime Jewish community leader and retired civil rights attorney. A former president of the ACLU of North Carolina, he co-chaired the NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture and served on the board of Asheville’s Racial Justice Coalition. At Congregation Beth Israel, he has served as president, chaired the Social Action Committee, and regularly leads services. Frank currently serves on the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Asheville and the WNC Jewish Security Task Force, and held leadership roles with Carolina Jews for Justice.About Judy: Judy Leavitt is a retired health policy advocate, educator, and justice activist. She authored Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care and has written extensively on social policy. A member of Congregation Beth HaTephila, Judy chaired the Social Justice Committee for 10 years. In 2013, she co-founded Carolina Jews for Justice-West and subsequently led its steering committee, serving on the statewide board for seven years.About Sam: Dr. Sam Kaplan is a Professor of Mathematics and Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at UNC Asheville. Sam is celebrated for his engaging and inclusive instruction, including the development and teaching of courses on Women in Judaism and Jewish humor, reflecting his commitment to cultural insight and equity in education. Sam is a dedicated member of the Jewish Leadership Collaborative and  UNCA's Marvelous Math Club, advocating for dialogue, connection, and intergenerational learning across WNC.Whether you’re part of a nonprofit, activist network, or faith-based community, this episode offers a living example of transformative dialogue in action.Press play to plug into the collective liberation playbook!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What if the future stopped waiting for its turn? This month on The UPLift, we’re handing the mic to six Youth Transformed for Life (YTL) members—and they’re not here to play nice. No filters. No watered-down talking points. Just unshakable truth about identity, belonging, and what community should look like, online and off.From calling out policies that box people out to reimagining community care, these young voices cut straight to the heart of it, moving from broken systems to personal perspectives: moments of exclusion, flashes of solidarity, and the kind of hope only raw, lived experience can bring.The takeaway? Youth aren’t “leaders of tomorrow”: they’re leading now. And they’re inviting you to actually listen.Ready to hear the next generation’s unfiltered take on a fractured world and how they’re piecing it back together? Press play.Special thanks and much love to Carmen, Au'deiah, Akelia, Daymon, Jimmy, and Kayde-Mae for letting us into your world.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Tired of chasing freedom? In this episode, we get real about the intersections of Blackness, queerness, and what it means to honor both Pride and Juneteenth with intention, authenticity, and laughter. We're going all in on radical self-acceptance, joy, and vulnerability with our guests, Adonis Lewis II, Jékksyn Icaro, and Torre White-Garrison. Together, they're building spaces where showing up whole isn't just radical—it's the revolution.About Adonis: Adonis Lewis II (he/him) is a radical Black/Mexican queer organizer, strategist, and liberator centered at the intersection of healing, justice, and structural disruption. With nearly two decades of frontline experience, Adonis has moved resources, built infrastructure, and co-created space for communities long excluded from power. He co-founded The Power-House Project, a CDC-funded safe space for queer and trans youth of color, and has stewarded over 25 grassroots movements through his leadership with Southern Vision Alliance. Currently based in Asheville, NC, his work spans disaster recovery, digital equity, restorative justice, and support for the unsheltered. Adonis leads with radical empathy, ancestral strength, and an unwavering commitment to collective freedom. Guided through his lived experience and anchored by the mantra "less ego, more impact," his leadership is not about spotlight—but about showing up, doing the work, and making space for others to rise.About Jékksyn: Jékksyn Ícaro is a multi-hyphenated human. Some of which includes being a multi-racial, trans, nonbinary, neurodivergent, southern queer who has lived in WNC for almost 30 years. Above most labels, Jékksyn identifies as an artist. Be it giving expressive form to physical materials or helping to shape the society they navigate into a more liberated world, it is creativity, innovation, and imagination that nestle at the heart of who they are. Titles and accomplishments aside they are a compassionate soul who has dedicated thier life to The Work of liberation and equity since the age of 16. Jékksyn proudly works with Tranzmission, a non-profit here in Western North Carolina dedicated to making the lives of trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender-diverse individuals happier, healthier, and safer through advocacy, education, and support.About Torre:  Torre White-Garrison is a proud Black woman from the mountains of Western North Carolina, raised in the hood by a single mother and shaped by the sharp edges and deep beauty of lived experience. A mother, cultural worker, and truth-teller, she shows up with fierce love for Black people and an unwavering commitment to justice. Torre will always fight for marginalized communities and the liberation of all, naming harm where it lives and calling out the systems that uphold it. Her voice is grounded, unapologetic, and clear: true liberation isn't given—it's taken, built, and defended by us all.This conversation lays down a blueprint for moving past surface-level celebration and into true liberation—for ourselves and our communities. Grab your headphones and hit play; let's blow the box wide open!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

As antisemitism rises in our streets, schools, and politics, how do we build solidarity that protects both Jewish communities and democracy itself?In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we're lifting up the layered, powerful stories of what it means to be Jewish in the US South today. From sacred rituals to real-talk resistance, this episode explores identity, resilience, and chutzpah in pursuing the moral imperative to fight for a better world.This month's guests—Abby Levine, Lisa Forehand, Ashley Lasher, and Stephanie—bring wisdom, warmth, and bold honesty to a conversation about collective repair and radical joy, grounded in tradition and justice.About Abby: Executive Director of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, Abby has helped grow a national network of Jewish organizations working at the intersection of identity and justice. A seasoned organizer and Senior Schusterman Fellow, her leadership spans progressive campaigns, racial equity initiatives, and movement-building across faith communities.About Ashley: An Asheville native and lifelong part of the Jewish Community Center, Ashley leads the Asheville JCC with a focus on joy, inclusion, and ritual. With deep experience in nonprofit development, she works to build spaces that uplift Jewish life and push back against antisemitism through community connection.About Lisa: Lisa is a culturally Jewish interfaith minister, statewide organizer, and seasoned nonprofit leader, currently serving on the Carolina Jews for Justice leadership team. With a background in intercultural training, philanthropy, and spiritual care, her work bridges traditions and communities to cultivate justice, healing, and sustainable change.Jewish history teaches us that when one group is targeted, all of democracy is at risk. And in the US South, where sweet tea meets sacred resistance, the fight for justice carries its own flavors of courage. 🎙️ Don't wait! Pull up a chair, pour yourself something sweet, and hit play.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What if the real power of community impact lies in the little, everyday connections—those ripple effects we can’t always see? This month, two brilliant minds get candid in reimagining community transformation, starting with a radical proposition: choose yourself first. The challenge? If we really seek to make a lasting impact in our backyards, we must begin from within before it ever gets to the boardroom or the block. About Amieris:Dr. Amieris Lavender, affectionately known as Dr. L, is a policy scholar, writer, and relentless community-builder rooted on the power of connection. She is the founder and managing partner of LoveJoyLiberation Community Relations Firm, where their mission is to spread love with joy for liberation. Her passion sits at the intersection of joy, liberation, and collective healing; through her firm, she works to ensure social evolution isn’t just possible but inevitable by bringing people together in meaningful ways, both big and small. Dr. L practices yoga, is a gardener and writer, and loves hosting parties for her friends.About Niconda:Asheville native Niconda Garcia is a lifelong advocate for equity who’s spent more than 25 years shaping change in healthcare, criminal justice, philanthropy, and grassroots organizing throughout Asheville. A self-identified barrier-breaker and champion for everyday leaders, Niconda’s approach is grounded in making sure everyone—not just the usual suspects—gets a seat at the table (and knows they belong there). As the owner of the consulting firm Change the Rubric, Niconda partners with individuals, educators, funders, and organizations to drive social transformation. Her work centers on individual purpose and self-concept as catalysts for growth, supporting people and institutions in becoming their best selves while advancing social change. Niconda is a mother, actor, roller-skater, consultant, and lifelong advocate for social justice.Together, these powerhouses get honest about burnout, abundance mindsets, and what it means to walk in liberation instead of waiting for permission. If you’re ready for straight-up practical wisdom on how healing, visibility, and radical self-care build stronger selves and communities, this episode’s for you. 🎧 Ready to rethink how you approach community impact? Listen now and get curious about what becomes possible when you prioritize self-liberation.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Can one person really make a difference? This month, we put that question to the test—and the answer is a resounding YES!In this episode of The UPLift, Ms. Sophie Dixon shares her hard-won wisdom, reminding us that community connection is where the magic happens.About Ms. Sophie: From serving 15 years as President of the Shiloh Community Association to co-founding WRES 100.7 FM, Ms. Sophie Dixon's work has shaped Asheville across generations, including leading the local NAACP branch and launching a Community Development Corporation. And guess what? She's still going strong!Her tireless commitment to community evolved into a living legacy rooted in advocacy, mentorship, and systems change. Whether lifting up emerging leaders or challenging injustice, Ms. Sophie has left an indelible mark on the local landscape of collective action and community care.Ready to discover how one person's dedication can transform an entire community? Listen in as local Ashevillians share her impact on their lives and neighborhoods. With Ms. Sophie on the mic and at the heart of this conversation, you're in for a master class in leading with heart, vision, and relentless purpose. Don't wait; jump in!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Are anti-immigration policies really about national security, or is something deeper at play? This episode of The UPLift explores immigration as a human rights issue as we sit down with Julio Tordoya, an award-winning journalist dedicated to amplifying immigrant voices. He shares how storytelling can be a tool for social justice—especially in times of rising anti-immigration sentiment.About Julio: Julio Tordoya is an award-winning journalist, educator, and co-founder of JMPro Community Media, a grassroots platform uplifting immigrant voices in Western North Carolina. For over a decade, he has bridged information gaps, strengthened community trust, and empowered Latinx populations. His impact earned him a 2024 Tzedek Brilliance Award for his dedication to community storytelling and collective liberation.Julio reminds us that shared stories and open dialogue can break down misconceptions and build bridges of understanding. His work highlights the power of trust in driving both individual and societal transformation. From fighting for better transportation and mental health resources to challenging harmful narratives, Julio’s work brings the headlines to life—revealing the real people affected by the policies.Together, we explore how each of us can help create compassionate spaces where every voice is heard and every person is uplifted. Check it out!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

When disaster strikes, how do we rise—not just as individuals, but as a collective? In this episode, we reflect on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and ask: Can 2025 be the year of revolutions, not just resolutions? Let’s find out!Join the Tzedek team as we reflect on how shared humanity and bold collaboration can help us rebuild—not only in the wake of Helene but in co-creating a more equitable and sustainable future. Our conversation explores the transformative power of connection—how meaningful relationships and radical compassion can turn response efforts into long-term movements for justice. Together, we examine lessons from Helene’s impact on Asheville and discuss the vital role of genuine relationships in driving practical shifts toward equity in 2025.Love this episode? Share it with others who care about making a difference! And don’t miss what’s next—hit "Follow" and stay tuned for more conversations about community, connection, and revolution. Together, we rise!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

How do communities hit by disaster emerge even stronger and more connected than before? In this month's episode of “The UPLift,” we explore how Asheville, North Carolina, came together after Hurricane Helene, transforming adversity into a powerful lesson in unity, support, and renewal.We dig into lessons learned by those spearheading collective response, featuring community leaders including Andrea Golden from PODER Emma, Philip Cooper from Operation Gateway, Jess McLean and Toshia Sitton from Read to Succeed Asheville, and our very own Tamiko Ambrose. They share how grassroots organizing, mutual aid hubs, and collective action nurtured community resilience as individuals of all identities came together to overcome the crippling challenges and hardship left in Helene's wake. Their firsthand accounts illuminate the lasting bonds that can form when communities choose love, equity, and shared humanity over isolation, competition, and discrimination.Join us as we honor Asheville’s unwavering spirit and celebrate the healing power of solidarity. By embracing these lessons, we can carry forward a vision of interconnectedness, empowerment, and liberation—one that endures long after the storm has passed.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

How do we harness the power of joy to build a more inclusive world? The Asheville Jewish Community Center's (JCC) Executive Director, Ashley Lasher, has some ideas on how "Jewish Joy" can unlock community and connection both in and beyond shared religion, tradition, ancestry, values, and experience. Listen in as we discuss the vital role of the JCC in strengthening Jewish identity, celebrating Jewish culture, and building a more inclusive community in Western North Carolina.About Ashley: Ashley Lasher is an Asheville native with a deep-rooted history in the local Jewish community. Having been involved with the Asheville Jewish Community Center (JCC) since childhood, she brings a wealth of experience, passion, and perspective to her leadership role. Her professional journey in nonprofit fundraising has uniquely prepared her to lead the JCC, where she strives to create spaces of joy, resilience, and inclusivity. Ashley's leadership is instrumental in offering vibrant community activities and fostering connections to counteract antisemitism.Curious? We hope so! Tune in to discover how Jewish Joy is being cultivated at the Asheville JCC, as well as how you can help make a splash!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Is empathy an antidote to oppression? This month, "cultural edge walker" April Easter shares her unique journey and the wisdom she's acquired over 20 years in the field, including her pivot from criminology to radical compassion. This candid discussion sheds light on the indispensable role of community in the healing journey, highlighting the profound impact of empathy and inclusivity on individual and societal transformation.About April: April Easter is a licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor and licensed clinical addiction specialist based in Asheville, North Carolina. With over two decades of experience, she's committed to meeting people where they are, regardless of the door they walk through to seek help. April blends the neurobiology of trauma, attachment research, and somatic psychotherapy to offer transformative care. She is extensively trained in modalities like Somatic Psychotherapy, DBT, EMDR, and Expressive Arts Therapy, specializing in working with individuals facing complex trauma, substance use challenges, and those seeking profound life changes. April is deeply committed to fostering systemic change within mental health practices. She excels in family systems work, helping families worldwide to heal intergenerational patterns and achieve sustainable change. ***ALSO! Don't miss our special guest, Story Hoeben, who shares her 7-year-old insights about equality, kindness, and courage.April's insights challenge us to reconsider how we define healing—not just for ourselves but for our communities, emphasizing that real change happens through radical connection. Catch the full episode now!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Happy Pride Month and Happy Juneteenth! Both celebrations commemorate the relentless pursuit of liberation, honoring the places we've been and progress we've made while pushing for continued change. In this episode, we're serving Funder-Frontline Realness in welcoming Zeke Christopoulos, our new Director of Mindful Operations & Finance. As a Middle Eastern, Jewish, queer, trans person, Zeke brings a depth of intersectional personal and professional experiences to Tzedek.Get to know Zeke in this candid conversation offering a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of visibility and representation within minoritized communities. This Big Talk goes deep, from touching on the pressures and privileges of passing to building a culture of mutual accountability and support. The result is a compelling narrative of hope, resilience, and healing in the collective quest for acceptance, inclusion, and belonging.Get comfortable and prepare to receive a gift of inspiration as we ride this dialogue forward and toward greater equity, equality, and justice. We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

What does it mean to build a culture of care? This month, we answer this question as we say goodbye to our outgoing Director of Mindful Operations & Finance, Lindsay Majer, who shares her experiences and reflects on her growth during her eight-year journey at Tzedek. In this episode, Lindsay opens up about the complexities of crafting people-centered policies that align with organizational values and withstand legal scrutiny. This candid conversation offers a glimpse of the struggles around identity, privilege, and trust innate to equity work as we examine what it truly means to create and maintain an organizational culture of care.Tune in for an inspiring discussion and heartfelt farewell as we honor Lindsay's contributions, spirit, and service. We are honored to call you colleague and co-conspirator in this shared pursuit for a more just and equitable world.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Good vibes incoming! This month, we brought the mics to the Tzedek Connect table, digging into how our pasts impact who we are and how we show up in our social justice work today. Featuring voices from various backgrounds, these beautiful reflections illuminate the diverse paths that have led us to this moment. From favorite foods to family values, from "otherness" to overcoming, these childhood fragments influence our social change strategies and selves (whether we like it or not).Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our incredible grantees for sharing their stories and compassion in pursuit of genuine connection. In a philanthropic landscape where trust can be as scarce as it is vital, this openness is truly a gift to Tzedek and to community. Collectively, these conversations circle back to humanizing the philanthropy experience on all sides. The takeaway? Diversity crafts a richer, more inclusive path toward social justice. Keep lifting each other up and showing up — it's how we rise together! True story.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Think a bunch of ordinary folks can't change the world? Well, BeLoved Asheville flips that script in five minutes flat. In this month's episode, we're spotlighting what happens when communities rise, organize, and mobilize as BeLoved co-directors Amy Cantrell and Ponkho Bermejo illuminate a path of hope and action that we all can tread.About Amy: Rev. Amy Cantrell, honored as one of USA TODAY's 2024 Women of the Year, is the co-director of BeLoved Asheville, an impactful community-driven initiative she helped launch in 2009 to address homelessness, poverty, and racism. Amy's dedication to food access, racial equity, deeply affordable housing, and community organizing has earned BeLoved national acclaim. Under her leadership, BeLoved has initiated projects like the Homeless Voice Project, Rise Up Studio, and BeLoved Village, contributing significantly to progress in local housing rights and anti-racism efforts. BeLoved's diverse initiatives underscore Amy's commitment to creating a more equitable society.About Ponkho: Social change innovator Ponkho Bermejo is the co-director of BeLoved Asheville. His commitment to fostering equity and access for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) is matched by his profound connection to the natural world, which he expresses through unique art and garden designs. A dynamic indigenous/Latinx community organizer, Ponkho excels in innovation and media, utilizing photography, art, and music to amplify cultural pride, ancestral respect, and youth education in cultural roots. His contributions have earned accolades from the Asheville Area Arts Council and Co-Thinnk. Passionate about advancing racial equity and social justice, Ponkho's work has garnered him recognition as the WNC Peacemaker of 2022.Jump into these heartfelt narratives, as Amy and Ponkho not only dare you to dream, they ask you to roll up your sleeves alongside them. So if you’re ready for a journey through heartache to hope, don't wait; hit play!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

In this episode of TheUPLift, Delia Noemi Jovel Dubón of Tierra Fértil Coop and Stephanie Swepson-Twitty of Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation dig into the fundamental importance of trust-based community partnerships and the power of authentic, reciprocal relationships. When these social change powerhouses come together, it's nothing short of inspirational magic. Clear communication and mutual respect emerge as the heroes of this story as we unpack the delicate dance of dialogue between funders and grantees, revealing a world where questions can build bridges rather than barriers. About Delia: Delia Jovel Dubón was born and raised in El Salvador and has always been passionate about the social justice movement. After moving to North Carolina in 2014, she started working with local nonprofits supporting Hispanic immigrants in the Henderson and Buncombe areas. In 2020, she started Abundancia, a culturally appropriate food distribution, and Tierra Fértil Coop, a Hispanic-owned farm cooperative with various community initiatives. She loves to share time with her daughter, look for reasons to laugh, be in nature, listen to music, and plan road trips with her family.About Stephanie: Stephanie Swepson-Twitty is the President and CEO of Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation. She is a 27+ year veteran in the Not-for-Profit Industry with skills spanning banking, finance and accounting, fundraising, grant-writing, nonprofit management and board governance, and community-centered funding strategies. Her work with Eagle has resulted in the creation of the first of its kind Community Equity Fund, an innovative community capital funding program leading the way in how historically underutilized businesses are funded. She is on the Hatch AVL Foundation, Catawba Vale Collaborative, and The Block Collaborative Steering Committees, and is a CoThinkk Core Member.The currency of social transformation isn't just money—it's the authentic connections and strategic collaborations that Delia and Stephanie champion. Tune in to discover how these dynamic leaders cultivate a more connected and empowered Western North Carolina.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

In this 2024 kick-off episode, we jump into the beautiful, sometimes messy world of community engagement and social justice work alongside Tzedek's newest team member, Tera Coffey. In sharing her experience of working in the government grind to navigating the nuts and bolts of nonprofits, Tera's experience speaks to the innate truths and challenges of staying true to oneself while still pushing for collective progress. From the United Way to CoThinkk, and now as the Director of Community-Led Grantmaking at the Tzedek Social Justice Fund. Her comfort zone is that sweet spot where heart meets action. Our conversations take us from the personal to the professional as we unpack what it means to authentically connect with others, and how we can hold space for tough conversations without losing our cool or compassion.  About Tera: Tera Coffey kickstarted her career as an organizer focused on creating impactful messaging and building strong community-driven outreach while leading Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign operations during the 2016 Presidential election in Florida and the 2020 election in Detroit. Her government experience includes legislative policy analysis and strategy, communication development, and constituent and organizational relationship building in Texas at both state and county levels. She brings her passion for racial equity and relationship cultivation to her philanthropic service, consulting with Western North Carolina-based funders as a facilitator and thought partner in building grant systems and accountability measures necessary to drive deep, systemic change. Whether you're here for our perspective on what binds us in the work for collective liberation or just curious about the latest and greatest from the Tzedek universe, this episode's buzzing with real talk and real solutions. So come on in, the water's great—just ask Tera about her bath goodies—and let's soak up some transformative ideas together. We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Can celebrating failures can be just as powerful as cheering for our successes? Is collaboration necessary for collective liberation? What pressures do BIPOC leaders face in this work? How do we heal together and what roadblocks slow our progress? In this episode, Giannina Callejas and Shuvonda Harper of the Center for Participatory Change (CPC) share their thoughts and experiences from the social justice frontlines as we get real about the grit it takes to dismantle white supremacy culture and the vital role of safe, trusting relationships in sparking growth. We're not holding back on the tough stuff - from acknowledging failure to navigating differences to healing together. About Giannina: Born in Bogota, Colombia and raised in Queens, NYC, Giannina Callejas (She/Her/Hers) is a millennial cisgender woman, first-generation college graduate, and first-generation immigrant who believes that the answer to all questions is LOVE. Her vision is to pilot a national movement that will lead us not into oppression but toward equality for all of mankind. Her dream is to live a life of bliss that is not contested by despair or defied by misery. Her prophecy is to discover herself by providing service to the goodness of the world.About Shuvonda: Shuvonda Harper (She/Her/Hers) is an Asheville native, mother of two, and vocal advocate for the greater good. Growing up in the historically African-American Southside neighborhood, Shuvonda developed a deep love for her community, which ignited her activism. Shuvonda serves as a board member of the Residents’ Council of Asheville Housing Authority and is the Office Assistant at the Arthur R. Edington Center.This episode is a treasure trove of insights that are sure to inspire understanding and action. Don't wait; hit play! We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Healing is a personal, as well as collective, journey. In this episode, Ember Phoenix explores the critical importance of engaging in difficult conversations with curiosity, love, and commitment as a path to individual and community liberation. Using an intersectional lens, Ember highlights a profound truth – we each hold a unique "medicine" that can expedite this shared healing.About Ember: Afroindigenous, queer, femme-bodied visionary and entrepreneur Ember Phoenix started a healing collective to directly support community building, resilience, and resource sharing amongst local Black, Indigenous, Latinx/e, and other folks of color. Ember integrates sacred ancestral teachings and practices as key to unraveling the traumas inflicted by colonization and the ongoing effects of white supremacist culture. Using an interdependent "I am because we are" model, Ember creates deep, intentional spaces for the Collective to learn, grow, grieve, and thrive together. As Ember highlights, healing is not about fixing a thing; it's about being able to love, trust, and accept yourself - and others - exactly where you - we - are in this moment. From here, transformation is not only possible but probable. Join us in unpacking the traumas and triumphs of seeking collective healing in the context of white supremacy and colonialism - acknowledging that community, mutual respect, and acceptance are at the very heart of how we get free together.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Ready to reimagine the concept of workplace equity? Gear up as Lindsay Majer discusses actionable strategies for creating a work environment that truly embraces and empowers everyone. From standardizing pay to redefining job descriptions, we dive into the nitty-gritty, down-and-dirty of crafting equitable, people-centered workplace policies. About Lindsay: Lindsay Majer is the Director of Mindful Operations & Finance at the Tzedek Social Justice Fund where she works to create, manage, and enhance systems and processes for efficient and equitable operations. Through policy development, benefits distribution, and budget tracking, she strives to center humanity and maintain a culture of care for staff sustainability. When not directing operations for Tzedek, Lindsay practices and teaches yoga in a variety of settings from group classes to wellness retreats to one-on-one private sessions in Asheville, NC. She loves digging in the dirt, growing flowers and vegetables, cooking with fresh flavors, and spending time with friends.The revolution starts within! It's one thing to talk about social justice and another to translate it into tangible policies. Listen in for ideas on how to fuel social change from the inside out. We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Ready to unveil the powerful journey of a nonprofit organization's transition into a union? Offering invaluable services to survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking, Our VOICE is instrumental in Asheville's nonprofit realm. In this month's episode, Rita Sneider-Cotter and Jason Iglesias from Our VOICE shed light on the significance of cultivating unity in nonprofit spaces as they share their recent unionization process. About Rita: Rita Sneider-Cotter has been involved in the movement against Power-Based Violence for a decade, working across multiple states and serving in various roles - from direct service to executive leadership. Since joining Our VOICE as a volunteer hotline advocate in March 2021, Rita has stepped up as a Program Director (May 2021) and as the Executive Director (February 2022). Rita's passion for working collaboratively with survivors and community partners is essential to creating a safer future for all.About Jason: Jason Iglesias J.D. has been the Legal Advocate with Our VOICE since late 2020. He works with survivors of sexual violence as they navigate the legal system. He graduated from UNC Asheville in 2016 with a bachelor's in political science and graduated from Howard University School of Law in 2019. While the decision to unionize was born from nonprofit ecosystem conditions, challenges, and complexities, with courage and trust, they navigated through these choppy waters and emerged resilient. Plug into progress and explore the power of unionizing for a stronger, more equitable workplace.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Ever wondered about the deeper significance of Black Philanthropy Month, celebrated every August? Tracey Greene-Washington and Tera Coffey, dynamic voices from the revolutionary organization CoThinkk, join us to shed light on this global celebration and its profound impact on social transformation. These two powerhouse women bring to the forefront the true essence of Black giving - a practice rooted in equity and cultural customs that goes beyond just monetary contributions. Tracey and Tera unravel how CoThinkk is redefining philanthropy by spotlighting the invaluable contributions of its members and communities in influencing local, regional, and national movements.About Tracey:Tracey Greene-Washington is the President of Indigo Innovation Group, a consulting firm dedicated to serving as a strategic thought partner, advisor, coach, and consultant to philanthropic, nonprofit, and private/public organizations committed to accelerating change through system-level approaches, equity, and strategic collaboration. In addition to this role, she is the Founder of CoThinkk, a social change philanthropy led by BIPOC communities committed to systems change in Western NC through strategic investments, systems change, centering racial equity, network-building, and civic discourse. Throughout her 20+ year career, she’s led high-level initiatives that address complex issues and gained a reputation as an innovative leader committed to partnering with organizations/communities to be more impactful by targeting systemic change, taking risks, and accelerating change.About Tera:Tera Coffey is the Director of Impact with CoThinkk and Founder and CEO of Tera Coffey Consulting, a consultancy offering strategic thought partnership around community engagement, communication and marketing, and fundraising across the political and non-profit sectors. Her expertise includes community engagement, fundraising, strategic planning, and process development with a focus on equitable outcomes and social change. Tera brings her passion for racial equity to the philanthropic sector consulting with Western NC-based funders as a facilitator and thought partner around grantmaking restructuring to build the accountability measures necessary to ensure deep, systemic change. This thought-provoking conversation takes us through CoThinkk's relationship-centered approach to collective giving. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the transformative power of leveraging BIPOC time, talent, and treasure that promises to redefine your understanding of philanthropy's role in society and its ability to ignite sustainable, impactful social change. We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Ready to kickstart change? Then buckle up! Get inspired by Colaborativa La Milpa’s Director Geny Hernández López and Operations & Finance Coordinator Angeli Sosa as we explore a powerful model of grassroots activism centering WNC immigrant lives, rights, and communities.For over 20 years, Latinx immigrant leaders in the Emma neighborhood of Asheville have led grassroots efforts rooted in mutual aid, community defense, and cultural preservation. These initiatives culminated in a robust network of organizations, including Nuestro Centro (now Raíces Emma - Erwin), CIMA- Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Accion, PODER Emma, and Ma hñäkihu: Indigenous Language Preservation. In 2018, these organizations converged to form the Colaborativa La Milpa family based on a shared vision for greater cooperation and sustainability through organized, collective response. We’re talking less bureaucracy, more direct action.Listen in to learn more about how La Milpa’s stronger together philosophy embraces and embodies collective response as the catalyst for skyrocketing collective impact and ultimately sparking transformational social change.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

It's Pride month and we're discussing LGBTQ+ inclusion/exclusion in the South with Reverend Tami Forte Logan of Faith 4 Justice Asheville and Torre White of the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Asheville. About Rev. Tami: Rev. Tami Forte Logan is the Equity Missioner of Faith 4 Justice Asheville—“faith leaders in the Asheville region provoking justice for and with Black and Brown bodied people through faith and racial equity work.” Her methodology is rooted in her faith, is trauma-responsive, somatic, and utilizes popular education, history, and compassionate truth-telling. She has 20+ years' experience advocating for and facilitating racial and economic justice in schools, nonprofits, foundations, government systems, and churches across Western North Carolina and throughout the state of North Carolina. Tami believes that confronting and interrupting white supremacy culture in all systems while cultivating collective liberation is vital in attaining justice for all.About Torre: Torre White is a kaleidoscope of roles and talents: a devoted wife, loving mother, prolific author, inspiring radio host, and passionate advocate for social and racial justice, mental health, and labor union rights. In her professional life, Torre has made strides in the fight for a more just society, and she continues to break boundaries as the inaugural RSAA Reparations Project Director.Hit play to learn about Tami's experience and insights as a social justice advocate and leader working at the intersection of equity, diversity, and faith. This is one conversation you don't want to miss!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

For Tzedek, the Brilliance Awards are one way to UPLift the UPLifters! Tzedek Brilliance Awards honor Asheville leaders who have engaged in impactful, intersectional efforts to further racial justice and LGBTQ equality or to combat antisemitism. Listen in as our past Brilliance Award winners Marta Ligia Alcalá and Philip Cooper join in to speak truth and share experience. We're talking wealth generation and exploring how grantmaking to individuals serves Tzedek's mission to redistribute wealth in Asheville.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

This month, we get REAL in exploring the incredible power of community-based, BIPOC-led doulas and how they're changing the game for birthing families. The numbers don't lie. The truth is that Black birthers have a 53% higher risk of dying in the hospital during childbirth - no matter their bank account size, insurance status, or any other social determinant of health. So what gives? As LaVie Montgomery of Sistas Caring 4 Sistas (SC4S) shared, "It all comes down to race." SC4S is flipping the script by bringing fierce advocacy and hands-on support to help tackle the maternal health inequities hitting US Black mothers hardest. Join us in this important conversation.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

This month, we're diving into the question, "Why should POC care about dismantling antisemitism?" Carolina Jews for Justice Executive Director Abby Lublin and local author, advocate, and Golden Moon Circles consultant Ray Hemachandra are at the table to help unpack these topics. Hang on tight because this conversation goes deep - fast!Grappling with the antisemitic tropes of Jews as power brokers and cash controllers, we consider how antisemitism is used to fuel other forms of oppression by exploring the age-old lie of blaming Jews for societal problems and discussing ways to actively work towards dismantling it. What we learned here is there's work to do, discussions to have, relationships to build, and joy to multiply as we work together for a liberated Asheville where all can thrive. Yes, it's possible - as long as we're willing to expand our minds and hearts to mirror the reality of the "We" that has and continues to be oppressed by inequitable systems designed to split the people in order to serve, preserve, and protect the status quo.Are you ready to challenge assumptions, build bridges, and be the change? Hit play to jump in!We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Welcome to The UPlift with the Tzedek Social Justice Fund! What if we told you that the key to real change lies in open dialogues, brave spaces, and shared values? Well, we're testing out that belief and invite you to listen in, as we delve into the nuances of social justice, community engagement, and trust-based philanthropy in Asheville, NC.The UPLift is a monthly 30-minute social justice chat dedicated to holding space for "Real Talk" in seeking "Real Change." The program leverages Tzedek’s values-based, collective liberation perspective to frame local community conversations in working to expand Tzedek’s reach, increase community awareness, and improve community engagement across our focal areas of Racial Justice, LGBTQ Justice, and Dismantling Antisemitism.We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.