About UsTraining and funding the next generation of Black Christian leaders.
Who We AreThe Witness Foundation was established in 2020 as a philanthropic arm of The Witness Inc. As a parallel to the multimedia platform, The Witness: Black Christian Collective, both organizations share a unique purpose in uplifting Black Christians who refuse to choose between their faith and their identity.
Due to historic inequality, many Black Christian leaders struggle to raise funds to fuel the vision that God has given them for ministry. These individuals and organizations often lack generational wealth or relational and professional networks that many white Christian organizations draw upon to raise support.
Our signature program is the Witness Foundation Fellowship, which awards two-year grants to Black Christians and provides opportunities for professional and spiritual development.
Where We StandFundraising to reinforce Black brilliance and divine possibility.
We know that the world is broken. We are here to give resources to leaders working to support Black flourishing in their area of influence. If you are Black and Christian, there is room at this table for you.
We believe the Bible speaks to the distribution of reparations for those who have been oppressed, which is why we fund Black folks.
As a Christian foundation, we fund Black Christian leaders who we believe will seek the best welfare for all people they touch.
We select our The Witness Foundation Fellows based on their commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and their ability to lead. We invest in leaders from all walks of Biblical faith and denominations.
We believe in action based on experience, Biblical wisdom, and evidence-based research.
The People Behind the Mission
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Jemar Tisby
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
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Danielle Wilson
THE WITNESS FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
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Tyler Burns
THE WITNESS BCC PRESIDENT
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Robert Tomko
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
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Ariana Rogers
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS
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Laura Gauthier
SPIRITUAL CARE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Our Board of Directors
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Timothy N. Wellback, ESQ.
Board Chair
Timothy Welbeck is the Director of Anti-Racism Research and an Assistant Professor of Instruction at Temple University. A Civil Rights Attorney by training, Timothy is a scholar of law, race, and cultural studies. He earned his J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and his B.A. from Morehouse College. Timothy's scholarly work focuses on contemporary issues of racial identity in America, the intersection of racial classifications and the law in the American context, contemporary African and African American cultural transmissions, retentions, expressions and evolutions, hip-hop as a microcosm of the Black experience, etc. He has lectured nationally and internationally at esteemed institutions. Timothy's work as an attorney and scholar has allowed him to contribute to various media outlets, such as BBC Radio 4, The Philadelphia Inquirer, NPR, The Huffington Post, REVOLT TV, Respect Magazine, and The International Business Times, 900 WURD AM, et al.
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Dr. Christina Edmondson
Board Member
Christina Edmondson holds a PhD in counseling psychology from Tennessee State University, an MS degree from the University of Rochester in family systems, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Hampton University with an emphasis in race, class, and gender. For over a decade, Christina has served in a variety of roles including most recently as the Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin University. A certified cultural intelligence facilitator, public speaker, and former mental health therapist, Christina is often contacted by churches to consult about leadership development, antiracism, and mental health issues. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Truth’s Table podcast. -
Rev. Shannon E. Polk, ESQ.
Board Member
Rev. Shannon Polk serves as the President and CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Polk formerly served as the President of The Witness Foundation and brings her expertise to The Witness Inc as a board member. Polk also serves as an associate pastor at Riverside Tabernacle and continues to be a thought leader on the topics of race, gender, class, and faith.