Rev. Joseph Barndt is an educator, trainer and organizer in the field of racial justice, particularly in the area of understanding and combating white racism. For more than 30 years, his work has focused on dismantling racism and translating the understanding of community organizing into organizing within institutions for transformation and change. Joe is the cofounder and director of Crossroads Ministry, an organization in Chicago, Milwaukee and New York City which focuses on education and training to combat racism and build multicultural community in church and society. He is also helping to build an international antiracism network in S. Africa and Europe. Joe has written a number of books and articles on racism and race relations, including his most recent book Dismantling Racism: The Continuing Challenge to White America. He is a Lutheran pastor and has served parishes and worked in community and institutional organizing in Tucson, Arizona; Oakland, California; The Bronx in New York City and Chicago, Illinois.

Rev. Thomas Behrens is the Executive Director of The Night Ministry in Chicago, Illinois. He began work there as the only staff person when it was known as the Northside Ecumenical Night Ministry and navigated its growth into a multi-program ministry with 45 staff members and 400 volunteers. Over the years, The Night Ministry opened Exodus Homes, a foster care program for homeless teens, and through its Youth Shelter Network established the Rainbow House Adolescent Services, Belfort House, and Open Door Shelter. Mr. Behrens received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois in Champaign, a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work from Jane Addams Graduate School of Social Work of the University of Illinois in Chicago. He has done volunteer work with the Genesis House and Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

Leila Gal Berner received her B.A. in English Literature and History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles in medieval Spanish Jewish History. Dr. Berner was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, Pennsylvania and currently is Visiting Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies in the Department of Religion at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Berner was a Fulbright scholar and recipient of fellowships from the National and Memorial Foundations for Jewish Culture. Dr. Berner is the founding Director of the Center for Jewish Ethics at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Rabbi Berner is the first woman in history to edit a nationally-distributed new prayer book ­ Or Chadash ­ the Shabbat morning siddur of the P'nai or Religious Fellowship. She also serves as a commentator for Kol Haneshamah ­ the new series of Reconstructionist prayer books.

Ma Jaya Bhagavati is the founder of The River Fund in Sebastian, Florida. A spiritual teacher and caregiver, she is the spiritual director of Kashi Ashram, an interfaith community which combines Eastern and Western spirituality, and which she founded in 1976. She is a Trustee of the Parliament of the World's Religions where she works with other spiritual leaders to promote interfaith service and global cooperation for peace. She is the Founder of World Tibet Day, a critically acclaimed artist and author of three books and numerous articles. Her most recent book, Bones and Ash, explores life, death and spirituality. Ma describes herself as "a woman who loves God" and spends much of her time serving people in need especially those living with AIDS and cancer.