Los Angeles is one of the most religiously distinct and diverse cities in the world. Every faith that exists can be found here, and several can even trace their roots to this area. The religious landscape of the greater Los Angeles Area is in constant motion. There are nearly 10,000 congregations in L.A., and 53 percent of the population is counted among religious adherents. This could be a point of great tension, as it is for many parts of the world. In Los Angeles, however, the religious pluralism is a tie that binds our diverse populations together.
Since 1969, the Interreligious Council of Southern California (IRC) has been working to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between faith groups. In honor of IRC’s nearly half-century of work, the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture in partnership with IRC launched Future50. This project seeks to uncover, highlight and provide support to the rising generation of leaders (aged 24-35) inspired by their faith who are committed to the values of IRC and to building a better region for all. Members of the Future50 cohort have also been invited to participate in networking and mentoring activities under the direction of the Interreligious Council of Southern California.
Future50 Cohort
We are pleased to announce the selection of the Future50 cohort. These rising leaders are just a small sample of the talented individuals working in Los Angeles at the intersection of faith, pluralism and social change.
Sumaya Abubaker
Cofounder, Rahma Network
Omar Ahmed
President, Impact Southern California
Cullen Armet
Program Coordinator, Emergency Network of Los Angeles
Eden Banarie
Youth Engagement Coordinator, Jewish World Watch
Sarah Bassin
Assistant Rabbi, Temple Emanuel
Dawnesha Beaver
Director of Special Projects and Community Initiatives, New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
Yvonne Chang
Associate Pastor, University Presbyterian Church
Jason Chu
Hip-hop artist
Liza Colenzo
American Sign Language Activist
McKenzie Eggers
Director of Public Affairs, The Los Angeles Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Shawn Evelyn
Chair, Program Group of Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Malka Fenyvesi
Managing Director, Avi Schaefer Fund
Nancy Frausto
Associate Rector and Priest-in-Charge, St. Mary’s Church and Trinity Episcopal Church
Todd Gallinger
Director of Chapter Development, Council on American Islamic Relations
Arin Ghosh
Youth Leader, Vedanta International Cultural Center
Albert Giang
Member, Program Group for Youth Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles / All Saints Pasadena
Courtney Gonzales
Volunteer, New Dwaraka Temple ISKON
Caedmon Grace
Minister of Congregational Care, Founders Metropolitan Community Church
Nathan Graeser
Community Liaison/Analyst, USC Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families
Adam Greenwald
Director of the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program, American Jewish University
Aziza Hasan
Interim Executive Director, NewGround: A Muslim Jewish Partnership for Change
Naama Haviv
Assistant Director, Jewish World Watch
Deana Helmy
Director of Programs and Compliance, Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies
Zachary Hoover
Executive Director, LA Voice
Milia Islam-Majeed
Executive Director, South Coast Interfaith Council
Sarah Jawaid
Organizer, LA Voice
Nathaniel Katz
Director of Communications, Claremont School of Theology
Jyotswaroop Kaur
Education Director, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Sondos Kholaki
President of the Board of Directors, Islamic Center of Irvine
David Levitus
Director of Development, Yiddishkayt
Bailey London
Executive Director, USC Hillel Foundation
Nathanel Lowe
Community Engagement Coordinator, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles
Victor Luna
President of the Board, Friends of School Mental Health
Daniela Madrid
Volunteer, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Lia Mandelbaum
Blogger for Sacred Intentions, Jewish Journal
Haroon Manjlai
Public Affairs Coordinator, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Greater Los Angeles Area Chapter
Sable Manson
Director of Residential Life, USC Office of Religious Life
Ali Mir
Director of Muslim Student Life, USC Office of Religious Life
Michael Morgan
Volunteer Chaplain, Veterans Administration
Timothy Murphy
Executive Director, Progressive Christians Uniting
Bharathwaj Nandakumar
Director of Hindu Student Life, USC Office of Religious Life
Tasneem Noor
CEO/Life Coach, Noor Enterprises: SOULful Transformation
Demontre Reever
Youth Pastor, Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church
Jonathan Russell
Chaplain, Union Rescue Mission
Blogger at HomebrewedChristianity.com
Affad Shaikh
Delegate, California’s 36th District Democratic Party
Tahil Sharma
United Nations Youth Representative, Parliament of the World’s Religions
Coordinator for the Center for Sikh Studies, Claremont Lincoln University
Treasure Sheppard
Outside Events Coordinator, Lake Avenue Church
Angad Singh
Volunteer, Sikh School of Los Angeles
Steven Smith
Director of Communications for Admissions, Fuller Theological Seminary
Chris Untiet
Faith Relations Manager, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
Future50 Report
The Future50 report includes detailed biographies of Future50 cohort members as well as background information on the project, the Interreligious Council of Southern California and the importance of multi-faith work to the mission of the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture.
Download a PDF of the report
