ABOUT US
Learn more about our story and what we stand for.
Take the Torch was founded in May 2020 after a frustrated millennial, Wanesha Spencer, called a wise and willing elder, Hank Stewart. The fiery conversation on the history of racism and it's effects in black and brown communities included names like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Something had to be done.
From there, Hank Stewart and Gwendolyn Mason, Founders of The Stewart Foundation, gathered a millennial mastermind group that discussed these issues and these leaders formed Take the Torch.
MISSION
Take the Torch is an organization whose mission is to eradicate racism through intergenerational engagement, education, and empowerment.
CORE VALUES
Our core values are Accountability, Collaboration, and Education.
We are humbled to serve and do our part in taking the torch and bridging the gap.
WE TOOK THE TORCH
MEET OUR MULTIFACETED TEAM
Wanesha Spencer is a Poet, Community Advocate and Liason. A native of St. Petersburg Florida, Wanesha earned her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Florida before transitioning to Atlanta, Georgia. In Atlanta, Wanesha works vigorously with non-profit organizations. She is an advocate for social justice with a passion for strategically reaching and empowering marginalized groups and communities.
Anastacia F. Johnson is the Assistant Principal at RISE Preparatory Charter School in Metro Atlanta. She believes that educational equity is the greatest civil rights issue of our time. In addition to her work in schools, she enjoys reading, writing, and helping organizations such as churches and nonprofits become highly effective through strategic leadership. In her free time, Anastacia binge-watches cartoons and animated movies with her husband and son.
Dr. Will Gravely is the founder and lead pastor of Refuge Community Church in Austell, GA. Will graduated from Morehouse College as well as completing both his Master’s of Divinity & Doctor of Ministry at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He and his wife Veronica founded The Stained Glass Project, a multi-ethnic and cross-cultural church planting organization that develops leaders to plant local churches.
Lawrence is a doctoral candidate at Morehouse School of Medicine. His research background is in cancer, genetics, and public health. He is passionate about social justice and achieving health equity so that everyone has a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential and that no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential. He is active in his local community and enjoys exploring culture through travel and expressing his creative side through music and video production.
A current senior attending Oglethorpe University pursuing a Communications in Public Relations degree alongside a minor in Business. With strong communication, business, and people skills, I also serve as the President of the Collegiate 100 chapter of Oglethorpe. Having a student athlete foundation, my passions include mentorship, inclusion, and serving the community.
Christopher Butts is a native of Riverhead, NY and Co CEO of The Calvin Butts Memorial Scholarship Inc. Christopher’ mission is to advocate for high school seniors who have applied wisdom through enduring real life adversity and hardships. He has done this by handing out scholarships since 2010.
Chelsi Glascoe is a multifaceted powerhouse from Silver Spring, MD. She earned a BA in Sociology from Clark Atlanta University in 2015 serving most notably as Miss Clark Atlanta University. In 2020, she graduated with her Masters of Divinity degree from Mercer University. Chelsi serves as a collegiate chaplain in the Atlanta University Center empowering young adults with truth and transparency. She is also the Founder & COO of Social Shifter, a digital media marketing agency.
Originally from St. Petersburg, FL, Ephraim Sykes is an entertainer/activist currently starring as Michael Jackson in MJ The Musical. He received a Tony Award Nomination and Grammy Award Nomination for his portrayal of David Ruffin in the Broadway hit AIN’T TOO PROUD The Life and Times Of The Temptations and has a thorough list of featured castings. He received his BFA in dance from Fordham University/Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, toured with AileyII and minored in theology.