Ely Portillo

Ely Portillo has lived in Charlotte for over a decade. From 2009 - 2019, he was a reporter at the Charlotte Observer, primarily covering business, real estate and local politics. He is now Assistant Director at the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute. A Washington, D.C.-area native, Ely holds a degree in political science from Harvard University. He and his wife, Caroline, live in south Charlotte with their children, ages 2 and not-yet-1.

Bishop Tonyia Rawls

Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls is a national faith leader and social justice activist who has focused the majority of her work in the Southeastern United States fighting oppression and discrimination. In 2000, Bishop Rawls founded Unity Fellowship Church Charlotte and in April 2008, was consecrated as one of the first women Bishops in the Los Angeles-based Unity Fellowship Church Movement’s history. In 2014 she founded Sacred Souls Community Church, a diverse congregation of progressive Christians in Charlotte. She is the Founder and Executive Director of The Freedom Center for Social Justice (FCSJ). Founded in 2009, they work intersectionally through their programs that support the trans community, people of color, people of low wealth, youth and sexual minorities. She is also one of the leaders of the NC Moral Monday Movement which was created by Rev. Dr. William Barber.

Hannah Hasan

Hannah Hasan is an award-winning, powerhouse speaker and sharer of stories. She is a nationally sought after spoken-word poet and storyteller. Hannah uses poetry, public speaking, writing, and other means of storytelling to create change, build bridges of connection, and shed light on some of the most pressing social issues of our time.

Hannah writes and performs commissioned poetry, leads story sharing master classes, and is a highly sought after public speaker. With her sister Shardae, she uses her storytelling agency Epoch Tribe to plan and execute events that are centered around using the art of spoken storytelling to educate, engage, and provide healing for groups and communities.

Bishop Claude Alexander

Bishop Claude Alexander has served as the Senior Pastor of The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina for the past 29 years. A leader among both Christian and civic organizations, he has consistently been listed among the most influential persons in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bishop Alexander has worked with government and community officials to address the community’s most critical issues. Over the years, he has served as a board member of the Urban League of Central Carolinas, United Way, the Arts and Science Council, the N.A.A.C.P. Educational Committee, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, and The Community Building Initiative. Currently, he serves on the boards of Charlotte Center City Partners, Christianity Today, Mission America Coalition, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Movement.Org. He is the Chair of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Board of Trustees and the Second-Presiding Bishop of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors.

Bishop Alexander is committed to his family above all else. He is married to Dr. Kimberly Nash Alexander and is the proud father of two daughters, Camryn Rene and Carsyn Richelle.