Dylan Gunnels (he/him) is a local activist, community organizer, writer, and social entrepreneur. He graduated from Charleston Southern University with a BA in Theology and has been in the ministry and non-profit world ever since. He is a lover of people and enjoys walking with others on their journey to discovering their true self, their true faith, and their true community. Dylan dreams of a world in which equity and belonging are the centerpiece of the community and hopes to play at least a small role in that. He is the Founder & Equity Designer at The Agape Table, an organization that is healing, educating, and activating to create a South Carolina where every LGBTQ person belongs. He also serves as Director of Mercy & Justice Ministries at Emmaus Church, co-owner of Terracotta Nursery Columbia, President of SC Pride, and consults with multiple organizations across the state. Dylan is a dog dad to Bentley, Samson, and Delilah; a cat dad to Skene, Mila, and Louie; and he cherishes the loving relationship with his partner Jack.

Alston Lippert (she/her) is the Associate Pastor of Nurture at Washington Street United Methodist Church. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a BS in Economics, from the University of South Carolina with a Ph.D. in Economics, and from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary with a Masters in Divinity. Alston tries to live her faith by showing God’s love to everyone. She believes that all people are beloved children of God who are loved beyond measure by out Creator. She seeks equity and justice for all people in our community. She has two children and a cat.

Wayne Hall (he/him) is a local artist, teacher, and business entrepreneur, who graduated from Winthrop University with an MFA in Studio Art.  He is the founder and curator of Queerfish, a faith-based organization that promotes self-discovery and healing through art in the LGBTQ community.  He believes that the LGBTQ people have a long, rich, and conflicting history of faith that is often shamed or hidden and should be proudly reclaimed.  Wayne and Robert, his partner and spouse for forty-two years currently own The Swept Yard, a service-based company that specializes in design, supervision, and implementation of custom gardens, borders, and containers.  The couple are loved and supervised at home by their pet-boy Max, an incredible rescue puppy from a locale shelter.

Denise Wellman (she/her) is retired from the University of South Carolina, however, teaches one class each semester.  She has a B.S. in zoology from Michigan State University and an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of South Carolina.  Her role as an educator for more than 50 years has placed her in a position to be an ally and mentor to hundreds of students and celebrates each as a beautiful gift from God.  She longs for a time when we recognize that we are all "wonderfully made" in the image of God and can boldly reclaim our calling to "love your neighbor...".

She is the mother to a beautiful daughter and a dog mom to a Morkie named Jack.

​