Invested Faith Announces 20th Class of Fellows
Invested Faith Announces 20th Class of Fellows
Germantown, TN — Invested Faith announces its 20th class of Fellows, expanding a national network of faith-rooted social innovators working for justice and community transformation. With this new cohort, Invested Faith has now awarded 95 Fellowships to leaders in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
These innovative leaders are addressing systemic injustices in their communities while building sustainable, community-rooted models for change. Their work spans economic inequity, mental health, environmental justice, community healing, food access and justice, belonging, and other pressing challenges facing communities across the country.
“In this uncertain moment, Invested Faith is working to stay the course and to keep identifying, resourcing, and networking amazing world changers who continue to keep at the work of caring for neighbors and protecting our communities. This is, certainly, the work of faith and we are honored to help tell the stories of our new Fellows,” commented founder Rev. Dr. Amy Butler.
The Invested Faith Fellowship includes an unrestricted grant, opportunities to share and amplify Fellows’ work through the Invested Faith network, and participation in RESOURCED, a national peer community connecting Fellows for support, collaboration, shared learning, and relationship-building.
Invested Faith awarded its inaugural class of Fellows in July 2021 and continues to build a national network of leaders turning faith into action and creating new models for stronger, more just communities.
The following individuals were selected as Invested Faith Fellows in July 2026:
Danielle Coke Balfour
Gladly Gather
Nashville, Tennessee
Danielle Coke Balfour—an artist, activist, educator, and entrepreneur known as Oh Happy Dani—is the founder of Gladly Gather, a Black-owned gift shop and community space in Nashville. Gladly Gather supports businesses founded by historically excluded people while providing an accessible gathering place for nonprofits, organizers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Through vendor markets, mutual-aid partnerships, workshops, retail sales, and event rentals, Dani is creating a sustainable space where economic opportunity, justice, and belonging can thrive.
Brittany Symone James
ALIGN
Washington, DC
Based in Washington, D.C., multidisciplinary artist Brittany Symoné (“Bee”) is the founder of ALIGN, a substance-free gathering experience inspired by her creative practice, Detox Art. Through pop-up events that transform existing venues into creative after-hours teahouses, ALIGN brings together non-alcoholic beverages, music, art, dance, and wellness experiences to create spaces for reflection, connection, healing, and joy.
A. Damian Curd
The Rooted Path
Indianapolis, Indiana
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Armon (A. Damian) Curd created The Rooted Path™, a nine-step congregational FORMATION framework built on a simple conviction: the presence of assets does not equal the agency to use them. Using ClearPath Intelligence™ and the GiftScape™ discovery process, The Rooted Path™ helps congregations and communities move from unused potential to active stewardship, an approach now extending beyond U.S. congregations into an international enterprise pilot in Benue State, Nigeria.
Remi Shores
Open Pulpit
Oakland, California
Rev. Remi Shores is developing Open Pulpit, a digital platform that curates thoughtful, inclusive sermons for people seeking deeper engagement with scripture without encountering messages that diminish their identity or dignity. Designed especially for LGBTQ+ people and others who have experienced exclusion or harm within Christian communities, Open Pulpit will make trusted, theologically grounded preaching easier to find while creating a more accessible and affirming pathway to faith.
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.
For additional information and photos, visit the Press Center at Invested Faith.
Media Contact:
Anita Flowers, Coordinator
