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Activism as a Sensitive Soul with Dorcas Cheng-Tozun

Chasing Justice

Release Date: 11/15/2023

We Got Us: Health Care at Risk and the Power of Proximity show art We Got Us: Health Care at Risk and the Power of Proximity

Chasing Justice

As a medical student, Flo believed policy was the path to fixing the deep inequities she saw in the healthcare system. But God called her into serving like Jesus, through proximity and relationships.  In this episode, Dr. Flo shares her journey in medical service and advocacy tracing how her understanding of care transformed as she served the people most affected by the system’s failures. This is a story about the importance and effects of policy, but also about presence. About how real change begins not with legislation, but with listening. Welcome to our season titled, We Got Us:...

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We Got Us: Interrupting Violence Through the Arts show art We Got Us: Interrupting Violence Through the Arts

Chasing Justice

In the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, violence isn’t just a headline, it can be a daily risk. But at the Firehouse Community Arts Center, Pastor Phil Jackson and his team are interrupting violence through creativity, youth-mentorship, and a loving and active presence on the block.  In this episode we dive into Pastor Phil’s decades-long mission to reach youth and young adults labeled as “violent.” We explore how The Firehouse Community Arts Center is transforming lives and the community through programs like: violence interruption, art education, and work force...

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We Got Us: From Incarceration to Community Transformation show art We Got Us: From Incarceration to Community Transformation

Chasing Justice

When Jamal was 13, he was shot on his way to school. Four years later, he was in prison. This is the story of how violence, survival, and faith intertwined to shape a new kind of transformative hope. In this episode, Roslyn Hernández and Jamal take us inside his journey from incarceration to transformation. We hear how Jamal found hope inside prison, how neighbors and advocates fought for his release, and how he now mentors young people at The Firehouse Community Center for the Arts, in Lawndale, to break the cycles of violence that once trapped him. It’s a story of injustice, but also of...

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Justice Work Burnout and Resilience #WeGotThis 😅👥 show art Justice Work Burnout and Resilience #WeGotThis 😅👥

Chasing Justice

Mikayla Nembhard and Sandra explore how communal self-care and rest sustain long-term justice work. Sandra shares insights on overcoming burnout, processing emotions and offers practical ways to cultivate resilience. Join us to learn how rest can become an act of resistance and why community support is key to staying engaged in the work of justice.   is the Executive Director of . Sandra is a second-gen Latina living on the west side of Chicago. She is an international speaker, author, and activist. Sandra’s initiatives in holistic justice equip communities around the world to practice...

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Making An Impact On Campus #changemakers 😎💪 show art Making An Impact On Campus #changemakers 😎💪

Chasing Justice

Our podcast producer, Roslyn Hernández sits down with Justin Guaman to explore how Gen Z can engage in social justice and civic advocacy. Justin shares his journey from a justice-impacted youth to an advocate for marginalized communities, offering insights on finding courage through community, starting small, and collaborating for change. Tune in to discover how you can make a difference on campus and beyond, one step at a time.   is a Queens native of Ecuadorian descent. He has been on staff with InterVarsity for five years. And is currently overseeing two student chapters in NYC....

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What is Mutual Aid? #Community 🫱🏿‍🫲🏾💕🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 show art What is Mutual Aid? #Community 🫱🏿‍🫲🏾💕🫱🏾‍🫲🏼

Chasing Justice

Chealsia and Katie unpack what mutual aid means and what it can look like in action. Katie shares how mutual aid goes beyond charity by centering relationships, listening, and empowering communities to create their own solutions. Join this conversation and discover how mutual aid can transform how we care for one another! is Program Manager at , Sound Engineer at Chasing Justice, and co-host of . She is passionate about supporting others to make Kingdom impact through their everyday rhythms & community. Off-duty, you’ll find her reading, climbing, or enjoying coffee and good...

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Civic Engagement in Your Community #Neighborhood 🏘️🫱🏼‍🫲 show art Civic Engagement in Your Community #Neighborhood 🏘️🫱🏼‍🫲

Chasing Justice

Chealsia sits down with to explore what it means to make a difference beyond the voting booth. Tamir shares his journey, from middle school to bridging gaps in his community, confronting ageism, and staying grounded in faith while advocating for justice. Tune in to hear practical ways to get involved, overcome barriers, and identify your passions to take action for change.   passion for public service began with grassroots organizing, connecting communities with resources to drive progress. As a Gen Z Precinct Committee person and as Political Director to State Rep. Maurice West, he has...

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Do Your Voting Homework! #Informed 😎 show art Do Your Voting Homework! #Informed 😎

Chasing Justice

Propaganda encourages Gen Z to stay sharp, fact-check, and not get caught up in emotional reactions. Let’s dive into the importance of local elections, the traps of single-issue voting, and how to avoid disinformation.  Mentioned in this episode:   is an artist, author whose music and prose explore themes of divergence and connection. His worldview was shaped by his father, a former Black Panther, and the multicultural Latino LA neighborhood where he gre up. Prop taught high school for six years, and helped found two charter schools in LA. He is a published author and podcast...

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Does my vote count? #vote 🗳️ show art Does my vote count? #vote 🗳️

Chasing Justice

Let’s dive into the power of voting and why it’s about more than just picking the next president! Our guest, Kayla Griffin, a passionate advocate for voting rights, shares how decisions made at the local level—from school boards to public funding—affect our daily lives just as much as national elections. Mentioned in this Episode:   | | , a native of Youngstown, OH, is a dedicated public servant committed to uplifting her community. She serves as the Ohio State Director for and President of the Cleveland Branch of the NAACP. Kayla is also an ordained elder, published author,...

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How do we hold space for disagreement? #debate ❌ #conversation ✅ show art How do we hold space for disagreement? #debate ❌ #conversation ✅

Chasing Justice

Let’s be real—disagreements are everywhere in the work of justice, especially during an election year. But how do we handle them without losing focus on the bigger mission? In this episode of Chasing Justice, we’re breaking down how to keep it respectful and productive. Tune in for some helpful tips!  Mentioned in this episode: The episode was in partnership with  We hope to see folks at the National Conference in Portland.   Roslyn Hernández is the CJ Podcast Producer. She Produces The FYI on Youth Ministry podcast at the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI). Roslyn lived...

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Dorcas Cheng-Tozun is an award-winning writer, editor, speaker, communications consultant, and former Inc.com columnist. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, Image Journal, and dozens of other publications in the US, Asia, and Africa. She serves as the editorial director of PAX, a Christian nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and equipping the next generation of BIPOC contemplative activists and is a high school instructor of social innovation at Valley Christian Schools. Dorcas has nearly twenty years of experience as a nonprofit and social enterprise professional. She and her entrepreneur husband have been married for eighteen years and have two young sons.

 

Dorcas has a BA in communication and an MA in sociology from Stanford University, as well as a professional editing certificate from the University of California, Berkeley.

show notes link to her activists. 

Dorcas page

Book

Howard Thurman

Kenneth Clark and Mamie Phipps Clark 

Richard and Mildred Loving,

 

hsperson.com, https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/

www.chengtozun.com

@chengtozun on IG, FB, and LinkedIn; 

www.chengtozun.com/books for links to buy the book

 

We have an active Patreon community where you can access the full video interview and more resources.

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