Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice elects board members and officers
New ECREJ board members, from Top (l to r): The Rev. Edwin Johnson, Tom Little. Middle: Alan Murray, Bishop Phoebe Roaf, Canon Mariann Scott. Bottom: Bishop Allen K. Shin, The Rev. Bryan Vélez-Garcia.
New board members and officers have been elected to the board of the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice for 2026.
The Coalition is comprised of Episcopalians, parishes, dioceses and organizations from all nine provinces. Its constituency is dedicated to eliminating racism and white supremacy, and to creating Beloved Community across the Church.
The Coalition’s board reflects that commitment. More than 70 percent of board members are people of color, as required by the organization’s by-laws. Additionally, they represent geographic diversity, hailing from all of the provinces.
“We were pleased to receive many nominations for the Steering Group from across the Episcopal Church and ecumenically. Our new members are a diverse group, with skill sets, experiences and perspectives that will enrich and strengthen the Coalition, and advance our mission,” remarked Board Chair The Rev. Canon John Kitagawa.
Elected to a two-year term were: Alan Murray, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Milwaukie, Oregon, Province VIII; Canon Mariann Scott, the Director of Community Relations & Canon for the Circle at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana, Province V; and The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of New York, Province II.
The Rev. Edwin Johnson, Director of Organizing for Episcopal City Mission in Boston and Thomas Little, General Counsel of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation in Shelburne, Vermont, both in Province I, were re-elected to two-year terms.
The Rev. Bryan Velez-Garcia, Vicar/Vicario of San José & Cristo Rey Episcopal Churches in Arlington & Springfield, VA Latino Missions, Province III, was re-appointed to a two-year term by the President of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala-Harris.
The Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf, Bishop of West Tennessee, Province IV, was appointed to a two-year term by Presiding Bishop Sean W. Rowe.
Officers re-elected for a one-year term in 2026 include Chair – The Rev. Canon John Kitagawa; Vice Chair 1 – Bishop Ian Douglas and Treasurer – Diane Pollard. Elected for two-year terms were Vice Chair 2 – Bishop Allen Shin and Secretary – The Rev. Canon Meg Wagner. To see the complete list of board members and read their biographies, visit https://episcopalcoalition.org/about
The Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice is a voluntary association of Episcopal dioceses, parishes, organizations and individuals dedicated to the work of becoming the beloved community. The Coalition welcomes participation from all groups and individuals at every level of the church who faithfully engage in the work of truth-telling, reckoning and healing for racial equity, justice and the dismantling of white supremacy.
The Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice was founded through passage of a Resolution Extending and Furthering the Beloved Community at the 2022 General Convention. It is charged with facilitating, coordinating, encouraging, supporting and networking efforts for racial justice and equity, and the dismantling of white supremacy. It became a non-profit organization separate from The Episcopal Church in May 2024.
For more information or to join the Coalition, visit www.episcopalcoalition.org.