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Faith communities have been part of the fabric of American civic life since the nation’s founding—serving as places of gathering, care, moral reflection, and community action. At times they have been sources of tension and debate, and at other moments powerful partners in responding to crises, supporting neighbors, and strengthening the social fabric. This roundtable explores the role and relevance of faith communities in fostering civic flourishing today. Participants will reflect on how congregations and faith-based organizations contribute to community well-being, support those in need, and help cultivate shared values in an increasingly diverse and complex society., The conversation invites leaders and participants to consider how faith traditions—across denominations and beliefs—continue to shape public life and what role they can play in building stronger, more connected communities in the years ahead.

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Note: This Summit session is ticketed.
Please purchase your tickets on Humanitix. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tourism, R.L. Beyer Custom Homes, Ludwig Kuttner, and The City of Charlottesville
Speakers
avatar for Joseph Varaska

Joseph Varaska

Chaplain, Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail
Joseph served in the United States Navy and began his ministry as a volunteer while stationed at Norfolk Naval Base. After serving six years in the Navy, Joseph turned his attention to full-time ministry and secured his undergraduate degree from Eastern Mennonite University, followed... Read More →
avatar for Tom Balmer

Tom Balmer

Board Chair, Love INC
Tom Balmer serves as the Board Chair for Love INC (In the Name of Christ) of Charlottesville / Albemarle. A native of Pennsylvania and graduate of Penn State, he had a forty-year career managing DC-based non-profits related to food and agriculture prior to relocating to the local... Read More →
avatar for Alex Joyner

Alex Joyner

Co-chair, IMPACT Charlottesville
Rev. Alex Joyner is the co-chair of IMPACT Charlottesville, an interfaith organization composed of 29 member congregations in the Charlottesville/Albemarle region. IMPACT builds power to take direct action that addresses the systemic causes of injustice, inequality and poverty. IMPACT... Read More →
avatar for Ezra Leventhal

Ezra Leventhal

Assistant Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel
Rabbi Ezra Leventhal (he/they) began serving the CBI community as Assistant Rabbi in July 2024, immediately following his ordination at Hebrew Union College - New York in May 2024. He began his Rabbinical School journey in July 2019, which means he is a proud member of the Year in... Read More →
avatar for Ibad Wali

Ibad Wali

Senior Muslim Advisor, One America Movement
Shaykh Ibad is the Senior Muslim Advisor for The One America Movement. He has served as the Director of Halal Certification for Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of New York in partnership with the NYC Department of Education public schools, which has currently certified... Read More →
avatar for Sam Heath

Sam Heath

Commonwealth Justice Coalition | Tom Tom Foundation
Sam Heath spent ten years teaching high school history before moving into the organizing and advocacy world with Equal Justice USA, a national nonprofit doing work on death penalty repeal, restorative justice, and community safety. A master's in Theology, Ethics, & Culture is what... Read More →
avatar for Eddie Howard

Eddie Howard

Executive Director, Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministry
Eddie Howard is the Executive Director of Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries.
A native of the Prospect neighborhood—Abundant Life’s focus for wholistic community ministry—Eddie first served on staff building trusted relationships and helping launch the Abundant Life 5... Read More →
avatar for Karen Marsh

Karen Marsh

Executive Director, Theological Horizons
Karen Wright Marsh is an author, speaker and the executive director and cofounder of Theological Horizons, a ministry centered at the University of Virginia that supports Christian believers & all spiritually curious people by providing a welcoming community for engaging faith, thought... Read More →
avatar for Anthony DeMauro

Anthony DeMauro

Director, Dalai Lama Fellows
Anthony DeMauro, Ph.D., is the Director of Dalai Lama Fellows, a yearlong fellowship program helping changemakers around the world practice wise and compassionate leadership. Anthony is also the co-founder of Hearth Cville, a community of practice integrating spirituality and nature... Read More →
avatar for Claude Atcho

Claude Atcho

Reverend, Church of the Resurrection
Claude is the pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Charlottesville, VA. He has served churches in Bellingham, WA, Memphis, TN, and Boston, MA. He is also the author of Rhythms of Faith: A Devotional Pilgrimage through the Church Year and Reading Black Books: How African American... Read More →
avatar for Cathy Ames Turner

Cathy Ames Turner

Director, Community Healing Coalition
Dr. Cathy Ames Turner is a scholar-practitioner, organizational change leader, and pastor whose work advances relational reintegration and community-based healing for families impacted by mass incarceration. Her scholarship and applied practice sit at the intersection of qualitative... Read More →
Sponsors
avatar for University of Virginia

University of Virginia

The University is an iconic public institution of higher education, boasting nationally ranked schools and programs, diverse and distinguished faculty, a major academic medical center and proud history as a renowned research university. The community and culture of the University... Read More →
Wednesday April 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
The Common House Space - North Room

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