2025 Living Legacy Project Board of Directors
The Rev. Kristin Famula, Board Member
Kristin Famula serves as the President of the National Peace Academy (nationalpeaceacademy.us), an educational institute dedicated to holistic peacebuilding and peace education. The National Peace Academy focuses on developing and offering learning opportunities for bringing forth the peacebuilder in all of us. Kristin also serves professionally as a social justice and religious educator through the Unitarian Universalist faith. As an educator and a life-long UU, she works to create and offer opportunities for people of all ages to deepen their commitment to transforming systems of oppression through reflection, learning, and building relationships.
Kristin Famula serves as the President of the National Peace Academy (nationalpeaceacademy.us), an educational institute dedicated to holistic peacebuilding and peace education. The National Peace Academy focuses on developing and offering learning opportunities for bringing forth the peacebuilder in all of us. Kristin also serves professionally as a social justice and religious educator through the Unitarian Universalist faith. As an educator and a life-long UU, she works to create and offer opportunities for people of all ages to deepen their commitment to transforming systems of oppression through reflection, learning, and building relationships.
The Rev. Dr. Gordon Gibson, Secretary, and Co-Founder
Gordon Gibson has been involved in organizing and leading pilgrimages to civil rights sites since 2004. During the first weeks after Gordon was ordained, he was in Selma, Alabama, taking part in early phases of the 1965 voting rights campaign there. He also brings his experience of living in Mississippi 1969-1984 when he was the Unitarian Universalist minister in the state. For seven of those years he was also an investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In retirement, Judy and Gordon Gibson live in Knoxville, Tennessee. Gordon is the author of Southern Witness: Unitarians and Universalists in the Civil Rights Era, an engaging account of the roles that UU individuals and congregations played in the civil rights movement in the South in the 1950s and '60s. Gordon currently serves as a member of the Board and as the LLP historian.
Gordon Gibson has been involved in organizing and leading pilgrimages to civil rights sites since 2004. During the first weeks after Gordon was ordained, he was in Selma, Alabama, taking part in early phases of the 1965 voting rights campaign there. He also brings his experience of living in Mississippi 1969-1984 when he was the Unitarian Universalist minister in the state. For seven of those years he was also an investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In retirement, Judy and Gordon Gibson live in Knoxville, Tennessee. Gordon is the author of Southern Witness: Unitarians and Universalists in the Civil Rights Era, an engaging account of the roles that UU individuals and congregations played in the civil rights movement in the South in the 1950s and '60s. Gordon currently serves as a member of the Board and as the LLP historian.
Mr. John Harris
John Harris’s interest has always been in the area of Racial/Social Justice and Anti-Oppression Work. John’s involvement in Unitarian Universalism began in in 1990 at the UU Congregation of the Palisades (UUCP), Englewood, NJ where he served as a Board Trustee and as a Racial and Social Justice Team Member. He also served on the Metro NY District Anti-Racism Team. In 2001 he and his wife Kathy moved to MD and joined the UU Congregation of Columbia (UUCC) where John served as a Trustee, and as a Black Lives Matter Team Member. Prior to this, he served as Social Action Committee Co-Chair. In the wider UU community, John served on The Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation Team, Joseph Priestley District; and on the Board of the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice in the National Capital Region (UUSJ). In the local community John is a member of the Mental Health Players of Maryland (MPH), a group that uses role-play and interactive audience participation in addressing a comprehensive range of societal problems.
John Harris’s interest has always been in the area of Racial/Social Justice and Anti-Oppression Work. John’s involvement in Unitarian Universalism began in in 1990 at the UU Congregation of the Palisades (UUCP), Englewood, NJ where he served as a Board Trustee and as a Racial and Social Justice Team Member. He also served on the Metro NY District Anti-Racism Team. In 2001 he and his wife Kathy moved to MD and joined the UU Congregation of Columbia (UUCC) where John served as a Trustee, and as a Black Lives Matter Team Member. Prior to this, he served as Social Action Committee Co-Chair. In the wider UU community, John served on The Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation Team, Joseph Priestley District; and on the Board of the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice in the National Capital Region (UUSJ). In the local community John is a member of the Mental Health Players of Maryland (MPH), a group that uses role-play and interactive audience participation in addressing a comprehensive range of societal problems.
The Rev. Laura Ingersol, President
Laura Ingersol grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and is a graduate of Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois with both a BS and MS in Education. She taught 2nd grade low achievers, and 2nd and 3rd grade academically gifted students in the Joliet, Illinois Public School System. She served as a Community Worker at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C., then attended and earned a Master of Divinity at The Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, PA. Laura was ordained in 1985, and served as the Associate Pastor of Bethany Lutheran, Forestville, MD, the solo and then Senior Pastor of Resurrection Lutheran, Roxbury (Boston), MA, the Pastor at All Saints Lutheran, Baltimore, MD, as the Associate Pastor at The Lutheran Church of God’s Love, Newtown, PA., and shared leadership as a pastor developer with her husband Jerrett, at Journey of Faith Church, Baltimore. Now retired, Laura enjoys reading, cooking and travel. With Jerrett, she has two daughters, six grandsons, a granddaughter, and a Goldendoodle puppy, Oliver.
Laura Ingersol grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and is a graduate of Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois with both a BS and MS in Education. She taught 2nd grade low achievers, and 2nd and 3rd grade academically gifted students in the Joliet, Illinois Public School System. She served as a Community Worker at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C., then attended and earned a Master of Divinity at The Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, PA. Laura was ordained in 1985, and served as the Associate Pastor of Bethany Lutheran, Forestville, MD, the solo and then Senior Pastor of Resurrection Lutheran, Roxbury (Boston), MA, the Pastor at All Saints Lutheran, Baltimore, MD, as the Associate Pastor at The Lutheran Church of God’s Love, Newtown, PA., and shared leadership as a pastor developer with her husband Jerrett, at Journey of Faith Church, Baltimore. Now retired, Laura enjoys reading, cooking and travel. With Jerrett, she has two daughters, six grandsons, a granddaughter, and a Goldendoodle puppy, Oliver.
Dr. Paul Murray, Board Member
Paul T. Murray, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Siena College, has dedicated his career to social justice and education. A lifelong advocate for civil rights, he participated in the 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom led by Martin Luther King, Jr., and contributed to Head Start programs in Mississippi during the 1960s. His academic work, including a Ph.D. dissertation on institutional racism, complements his activism, such as conducting statistical analysis for voting rights litigation and serving on civil rights boards. At Siena College (1979–2016), Paul taught courses on the Civil Rights Movement and co-led educational civil rights tours. His research highlights Catholic involvement in the movement, culminating in 14 articles and the book Seeing Jesus in the Eyes of the Oppressed. Beyond academia, he served on the Albany School Board and continues to support civil rights through the MLK Lecture Series. Married for 52 years, he and his wife, Suzanne, have three children and two grandchildren.
Paul T. Murray, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Siena College, has dedicated his career to social justice and education. A lifelong advocate for civil rights, he participated in the 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom led by Martin Luther King, Jr., and contributed to Head Start programs in Mississippi during the 1960s. His academic work, including a Ph.D. dissertation on institutional racism, complements his activism, such as conducting statistical analysis for voting rights litigation and serving on civil rights boards. At Siena College (1979–2016), Paul taught courses on the Civil Rights Movement and co-led educational civil rights tours. His research highlights Catholic involvement in the movement, culminating in 14 articles and the book Seeing Jesus in the Eyes of the Oppressed. Beyond academia, he served on the Albany School Board and continues to support civil rights through the MLK Lecture Series. Married for 52 years, he and his wife, Suzanne, have three children and two grandchildren.
Dr. Janice Marie Johnson, Board Member and Co-founder
Janice Marie Johnson is a Co-Founder of the Living Legacy Project who is passionate about experiential learning. Ever the trailblazer, Janice is the Director of Ministries and Faith Development at the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association). She is the first solo Black woman, educator, and non-clergy person to serve in this critical role supporting diverse religious communities within the context of collaborative, creative, and bold ministries. In the spirit of Sankofa, Janice is committed to the ancestors and to family. Janice is an internationalist, author, activist, and artisan. Her maxim is, “Let us build together.”
Janice Marie Johnson is a Co-Founder of the Living Legacy Project who is passionate about experiential learning. Ever the trailblazer, Janice is the Director of Ministries and Faith Development at the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association). She is the first solo Black woman, educator, and non-clergy person to serve in this critical role supporting diverse religious communities within the context of collaborative, creative, and bold ministries. In the spirit of Sankofa, Janice is committed to the ancestors and to family. Janice is an internationalist, author, activist, and artisan. Her maxim is, “Let us build together.”
Rev Dr. Lisa Presley, Board Member and Treasurer
Lisa Presley is a life-long Unitarian Universalist whose family has been active in civil rights action since at least the early 1920s. Growing up in the greater Detroit area, she sought out opportunities to connect, serve, and help move forward the cause of justice for all. While living in Canada for 20 years, she sought out information about how race played out there--understanding how every culture and country has its own history of exclusion. Lisa served at a UU minister in both called and interim positions, and served the Unitarian Universalist Association for 18 years where among her areas of focus was intercultural competency and racial justice. She went on her first Living Legacy Pilgrimage in 2013, and is glad to be able to serve on the board as she enters retirement.
Lisa Presley is a life-long Unitarian Universalist whose family has been active in civil rights action since at least the early 1920s. Growing up in the greater Detroit area, she sought out opportunities to connect, serve, and help move forward the cause of justice for all. While living in Canada for 20 years, she sought out information about how race played out there--understanding how every culture and country has its own history of exclusion. Lisa served at a UU minister in both called and interim positions, and served the Unitarian Universalist Association for 18 years where among her areas of focus was intercultural competency and racial justice. She went on her first Living Legacy Pilgrimage in 2013, and is glad to be able to serve on the board as she enters retirement.
Mr. Julian Sharp, Board Member
Julian Sharp is on the faculty at Sterling College in Vermont where he teaches courses at the intersection of spirituality, the natural world, and social justice in the concentration of environmental humanities. His courses include Community Organizing for Social and Political Change, Spirituality of Place, and Intro to Race. He is a recent graduate of the Pacific School of Religion, part of the consortium among the University of California at Berkeley and the Graduate Theological Union. He has served as a board member of local and national organizations including the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Craftsbury Prudential Water Board, and the Craftsbury Community Care Center. Julian brings expertise as an activist/organizer, spiritual leader, and institutional leader. He has worked on local, state, and national political campaigns, including as an organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, and for MassEquality in Massachusetts where he organized for marriage equality.
Julian Sharp is on the faculty at Sterling College in Vermont where he teaches courses at the intersection of spirituality, the natural world, and social justice in the concentration of environmental humanities. His courses include Community Organizing for Social and Political Change, Spirituality of Place, and Intro to Race. He is a recent graduate of the Pacific School of Religion, part of the consortium among the University of California at Berkeley and the Graduate Theological Union. He has served as a board member of local and national organizations including the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Craftsbury Prudential Water Board, and the Craftsbury Community Care Center. Julian brings expertise as an activist/organizer, spiritual leader, and institutional leader. He has worked on local, state, and national political campaigns, including as an organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, and for MassEquality in Massachusetts where he organized for marriage equality.
Rev. Ned Wight, Board Member
Ned Wight retired in August 2019 from his position as Interim Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, New York. Prior to that, he served for a decade as Executive Director of the same congregation’s UU Veatch Program, which makes grants to social change organizations around the country. He has also served UU congregations in California and Massachusetts. He holds degrees from Harvard Divinity School, Boston University and Stanford University. He most recently chaired the board of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, partnering with grassroots organizations to champion human rights at home and abroad, and currently serves as Vice President for the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association. He lives in William Cullen Bryant’s historic home, Cedarmere, in Roslyn, NY on the north shore of Long Island.
Ned Wight retired in August 2019 from his position as Interim Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, New York. Prior to that, he served for a decade as Executive Director of the same congregation’s UU Veatch Program, which makes grants to social change organizations around the country. He has also served UU congregations in California and Massachusetts. He holds degrees from Harvard Divinity School, Boston University and Stanford University. He most recently chaired the board of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, partnering with grassroots organizations to champion human rights at home and abroad, and currently serves as Vice President for the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association. He lives in William Cullen Bryant’s historic home, Cedarmere, in Roslyn, NY on the north shore of Long Island.
Dr. Pamela Zappardino, Vice-President
Pamela Zappardino holds a doctoral degree in Psychology from the University of RI and is a graduate of Leadership RI and Leadership Maryland. She serves on the Boards of Common Ground on the Hill, Rape Crisis Intervention Services of Carroll County, the Carroll County NAACP, the Community Foundation of Carroll County and the Living Legacy Project as well as on the steering committees of the WMC Heritage Society at McDaniel College and Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality. She has been on the Carroll County Public Schools’ Council for Multicultural Education for 15 years.
Pamela Zappardino holds a doctoral degree in Psychology from the University of RI and is a graduate of Leadership RI and Leadership Maryland. She serves on the Boards of Common Ground on the Hill, Rape Crisis Intervention Services of Carroll County, the Carroll County NAACP, the Community Foundation of Carroll County and the Living Legacy Project as well as on the steering committees of the WMC Heritage Society at McDaniel College and Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality. She has been on the Carroll County Public Schools’ Council for Multicultural Education for 15 years.
STAFF
DeVante Hudson, Executive Director
DeVante Hudson grew up a Midwest kid in Ohio and his own understanding of this country’s brutal history was stifled by his environment. Thirteen years ago, he relocated to Atlanta and began his new journey in the South. As fate would have it, his first experience living in the South included a pilgrimage across the South with Civil Rights activist and mentor, Dr. Bernard Lafayette. This was his immersion into narrative work and the reassurance of his commitment to the long work of legacy and community building. DeVante is a graduate of Morehouse College and has a Master of Divinity from Emory University.
DeVante Hudson grew up a Midwest kid in Ohio and his own understanding of this country’s brutal history was stifled by his environment. Thirteen years ago, he relocated to Atlanta and began his new journey in the South. As fate would have it, his first experience living in the South included a pilgrimage across the South with Civil Rights activist and mentor, Dr. Bernard Lafayette. This was his immersion into narrative work and the reassurance of his commitment to the long work of legacy and community building. DeVante is a graduate of Morehouse College and has a Master of Divinity from Emory University.
Reggie Harris, Director of Music Education
Reggie Harris has earned distinction as one of the foremost interpreters and song leaders of the music of the Underground Railroad and the Modern Civil Rights movement. With a passion for peace and justice, Reggie travels worldwide using his gifts to share hope and raise awareness of human rights in the spirit of Dr Martin Luther King’s beloved community. Visit reggieharrismusic.com for more about his music. Reggie currently serves as co-president of the Board and Director of Music.
Reggie Harris has earned distinction as one of the foremost interpreters and song leaders of the music of the Underground Railroad and the Modern Civil Rights movement. With a passion for peace and justice, Reggie travels worldwide using his gifts to share hope and raise awareness of human rights in the spirit of Dr Martin Luther King’s beloved community. Visit reggieharrismusic.com for more about his music. Reggie currently serves as co-president of the Board and Director of Music.
Co-Founders and Former Board Members
- Judy Gibson
- The late Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson, first Board President
- Annette Marquis (retired Director of Operations)
Former Board Members
- The Rev. Seanan Holland
- The late Rev. James A. Hobart
- Rev. Carlton E. Smith
- Dr. Jan Sneegas