Press Release: Invested Faith Awards 8th Class of Fellows
For immediate release: 08.15.2023
Invested Faith Announces 8th Class of Fellows
Washington, DC: An eighth class of faith-rooted Fellows has been named by Invested Faith. These six social innovators are working to address systemic issues of injustice in their communities while building a sustainable financial model. The Fellowship includes a $5,000 unrestricted grant and an invitation to tell their story through the Invested Faith community and website.
Invested Faith has now awarded 36 Fellowships in just over 2 years. The first class of Fellows was awarded in July of 2021.
Rev. Dr. Amy K. Butler
Invested Faith founder and visionary Dr. Amy K. Butler finds inspiration in these innovative social entrepreneurs. “It is an honor to introduce you to some of the most creative people I’ve come across; read their stories and be inspired! Our work at Invested Faith keeps turning up work of hope and healing in so many creative expressions. I’m delighted that the work continues with Class 8, expanding into new locations and unique projects,” said Butler.
The following individuals were selected as Invested Faith Fellows in July of 2023.
Kerry Brodie, Emma’s Torch, Washington DC
Kerry Brodie, Emma’s Torch, Washington, DC: Kerry Brodie founded Emma’s Torch with the mission of empowering refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through culinary education. Now opening a location in Washington DC, Emma's Torch provides refugees with in-depth culinary training as well as employability, equity, and empowerment training.
Boo Milton, Cure With Love Strategies, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Emanuel ‘Boo’ Milton, Cure with Love Strategies, Baton Rouge, LA: Cure with Love Strategies creates spaces of hope through social impact initiatives and consults with companies, educators, non profits, and governments on best practices for serving their communities. Through programs like C.H.I.L.L, a conflict resolution program for teens, and Spark Box, Social Emotional Learning kits for children, Milton offers hope and connection for disadvantaged youth in Baton Rouge.
Marisa Prince and Calvin lee, [GOSPEL], Boston, Massachusetts
Marisa Prince and Calvin Lee, [GOSPEL], Boston, MA: Marisa Prince and Calvin Lee founded [GOSPEL] as an initiative to curate creative spaces and campaigns to catalyze more for the American Christian Church. [GOSPEL] innovates disruptive faith formation strategies to eradicate our country’s biggest problems.
Antajuan Adams and Mina Aria, New Roots Urban Farm, St. Louis, Missouri
Mina Aria and Antajuan Adams, New Roots Urban Farm, St. Louis, MO: Mina Aria and Antajuan Adams run New Roots Urban Farm on reclaimed urban land, providing healthy local food plus urban farming resources and education for their low-income North St. Louis community. Recently devastated by fire, the farm is being revitalized and expanded, with a greenhouse and outdoor kitchen, chickens, and bees.
In addition, New Roots Urban Farm was awarded an additional grant of $5000 from the Invested Faith Special Project/ Emergency Assistance Fund as a way of helping the farm recover from the damage caused by the recent fire.
About Invested Faith: Invested Faith is a fund for faith-rooted social innovators founded by Rev. Dr. Amy Butler in 2019 in response to declining church attendance and the need for a new model of philanthropy. Invested Faith is a bridge between traditional churches and social innovators who are creating new expressions of faith and community. The fund is located at ImpactAssets, leading facilitator of direct impact investing within donor advised funds.
For additional information and photos, visit the Press Center at Invested Faith.
Media Contact:
Anita Flowers, Coordinator
investedfaith.org/press-center
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