MEET DR. JOJO
Dr. Georgette “Jojo” Mulunda Ledgister is a Congolese-American scholar of ethics, gender, and religion, and a DEI and conflict response trainer. Dr. Jojo draws upon African indigenous knowledge to develop training models for organizations, companies, foundations, educational institutions, and faith communities.
She equips leaders and learners to develop the skills and strategies to build more just, diverse, equitable and inclusive communities, and to tap into the creative and constructive possibilities of conflict. Dr. Jojo holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Emory University, where she also earned a Ph.D. in social ethics and comparative religions.
She currently serves as Research Associate and Visiting Instructor in the Women’s Studies in Religion Program at Harvard Divinity School, and is concurrently a visiting fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. Dr. Jojo serves on the steering committee of the African Religions Unit of the American Academy of Religion, and is a member of the Woodruff Alumni Advisory Board at Emory University, and the national board of directors of L’Arche USA.
She equips leaders and learners to develop the skills and strategies to build more just, diverse, equitable and inclusive communities, and to tap into the creative and constructive possibilities of conflict. Dr. Jojo holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Emory University, where she also earned a Ph.D. in social ethics and comparative religions.
She currently serves as Research Associate and Visiting Instructor in the Women’s Studies in Religion Program at Harvard Divinity School, and is concurrently a visiting fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. Dr. Jojo serves on the steering committee of the African Religions Unit of the American Academy of Religion, and is a member of the Woodruff Alumni Advisory Board at Emory University, and the national board of directors of L’Arche USA.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, Ethics and Society - 2018
John Fenton Prize for best graduate research in Comparative Religion
John Fenton Prize for best graduate research in Comparative Religion
Master of Divinity - 2010
Robert W. Woodruff Fellowship
Robert W. Woodruff Fellowship
Bachelor of Arts - 2006
Institute for African Studies Award for African Studies
Institute for African Studies Award for African Studies
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Research Associate & Visiting Instructor, Women’s Studies in Religion Program 2020 – 2021
Visiting Fellow, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs 2020 – 2021
Visiting Fellow in the Weatherhead Research Cluster on Religion in Public Life in Africa and the African Diaspora
Visiting Fellow in the Weatherhead Research Cluster on Religion in Public Life in Africa and the African Diaspora
Visiting Instructor of Religion and Culture
Visiting Instructor of Africana Studies and Religious Studies 2019 – present
Trainings and Workshops (by Sector)
The following are trainings and workshops that Dr. Georgette Ledgister has facilitated or co-facilitated since 2013. Trainings and workshops with board-level and executive leadership are denoted by **.
Corporations
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, Train-the-Trainer for General Managers, Executive Leadership, and Senior Leadership, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Toronto Argonauts), Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, HEAT Culture Community Company-wide Conversation, Miami HEAT, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, Company-wide Conversation, Portland Trail Blazers, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, Company-wide Conversation, Oklahoma City Thunder, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, Train-the-Trainer for General Managers, Executive Leadership, and Senior Leadership, Indiana Pacers, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, National Basketball Association (NBA) Diversity & Inclusion and Human Resources Train-the-Trainer for General Managers, Executive Leadership, and Senior Leadership, National Basketball Association, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, Diversity Council and Rose Quarter Staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training, Portland Trail Blazers, Portland, OR (October 2019).**
“The Exchange at the Center for Civil and Human Rights,” Facilitator, Quarter 3 Half-Day Diversity & Inclusion Training, SunTrust Banks, Inc., Atlanta, GA (June 2019).**
“Dialogues Across Difference,” Facilitator, Livestreamed Firm-wide Diversity and Inclusion Training, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, Atlanta, GA (June 2019).**
“Overcoming the Five Fears that Stifle Conversation,” Facilitator, The Exchange Experience Quarter 1-3 Diversity and Inclusion Trainings, SunTrust Banks, Inc., Atlanta, GA (January, April and June 2019).**
“Hard Conversations Across Lines of Difference: An Introduction to Fearless Dialogues” Facilitator, National Basketball Association (NBA) 2018 Diversity Summit, National Basketball Association, Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA (November 2018).**
“Cards of Marginality: Implicit Bias or Implicit Association?” Facilitator, Revenue Management Group Executive Leaders Implicit Bias Training, Delta Air Lines,
Atlanta, GA (September 2018).**
“Transaction or Encounter: The Art of Seeing the Invisible,” Facilitator, Revenue Management Group Executive Leadership Training, Delta Air Lines, Atlanta, GA (July 2017).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, HEAT Culture Community Company-wide Conversation, Miami HEAT, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, Company-wide Conversation, Portland Trail Blazers, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, Company-wide Conversation, Oklahoma City Thunder, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, Train-the-Trainer for General Managers, Executive Leadership, and Senior Leadership, Indiana Pacers, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, National Basketball Association (NBA) Diversity & Inclusion and Human Resources Train-the-Trainer for General Managers, Executive Leadership, and Senior Leadership, National Basketball Association, Virtual (June 2020).**
“Fear Less, Dialogue More,” Facilitator, Diversity Council and Rose Quarter Staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training, Portland Trail Blazers, Portland, OR (October 2019).**
“The Exchange at the Center for Civil and Human Rights,” Facilitator, Quarter 3 Half-Day Diversity & Inclusion Training, SunTrust Banks, Inc., Atlanta, GA (June 2019).**
“Dialogues Across Difference,” Facilitator, Livestreamed Firm-wide Diversity and Inclusion Training, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, Atlanta, GA (June 2019).**
“Overcoming the Five Fears that Stifle Conversation,” Facilitator, The Exchange Experience Quarter 1-3 Diversity and Inclusion Trainings, SunTrust Banks, Inc., Atlanta, GA (January, April and June 2019).**
“Hard Conversations Across Lines of Difference: An Introduction to Fearless Dialogues” Facilitator, National Basketball Association (NBA) 2018 Diversity Summit, National Basketball Association, Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA (November 2018).**
“Cards of Marginality: Implicit Bias or Implicit Association?” Facilitator, Revenue Management Group Executive Leaders Implicit Bias Training, Delta Air Lines,
Atlanta, GA (September 2018).**
“Transaction or Encounter: The Art of Seeing the Invisible,” Facilitator, Revenue Management Group Executive Leadership Training, Delta Air Lines, Atlanta, GA (July 2017).**
Foundations
“Good News is Coming, Good News is Here: Moving Ferguson forward 4 Years after the Murder of Mike Brown,” Facilitator, Community and Civic Leader Training, Deaconess Foundation Community Training, St. Louis, MO (August 2018).**
“Together We Create: Community Conversation on Gentrification,” Facilitator, Community Dialogue, Winston Salem Foundation, Winston Salem, NC (May 2018).
“The Best Gift is You,” Facilitator, Foundation and Staff Diversity and Inclusion Training, Shepherd Foundation, Atlanta, GA (April 2018).
“Together We Create: Community Conversation on Gentrification,” Facilitator, Community Dialogue, Winston Salem Foundation, Winston Salem, NC (May 2018).
“The Best Gift is You,” Facilitator, Foundation and Staff Diversity and Inclusion Training, Shepherd Foundation, Atlanta, GA (April 2018).
Nonprofits
“Courageous Leadership Across Difference, Discord, and Distance,” Fellow and Alumni Inclusion Training, Global Health Corps, Virtual (January 2021).
“Courageous Leadership in the Face of Conflict,” Facilitator, Executive Director Racial Equity Roundtable, Community Inroads, Haverhill, Massachusetts, Virtual (November 2020).**
“Contact, Connection, and Care Amid Conflict,” Facilitator, Learn Together Member Community Development Series, L’Arche USA National Board of Directors, Community Executive Directors, and Community Board Members (November 2020).**
“Just Leadership: Transforming Human Connection Across Difference and Distance,” 2020 John Lewis Fellowship Program, Workshop Facilitator, Humanity in Action, Virtual (June 2020).
“Leading and Facilitating Fearless Dialogues,” Workshop Facilitator, 2019 John Lewis Fellows Program, Humanity in Action, Atlanta, GA (July 2019).
“Formation Day: Fearless Dialogues” Facilitator, Spring Extended Leadership Training for National Executive Leadership and Community Executive Directors,
L’Arche USA, Chicago, IL (March 2019).**
“A Strange Freedom,” Facilitator, Executive Leadership Fearless Dialogues Training, Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) Executive Presbyters Mid-Council
Gathering hosted by Stated Clerk Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Chicago, IL (October 2018).**
“The Growing Edge,” Facilitator, Community of St. Anselm at Lambeth Palace (residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury), Leadership Training with Global
Young Leaders, London, UK (October 2018).
“Learning to Live and Love the Hard Questions,” Facilitator, Fearless Dialogues Community Conversation, Temple Sinai Selichot Service, Atlanta, GA (September 2018).
“Fearless Dialogues and Activism : Activist Training,” Facilitator, Children’s Defense Fund’s Proctor Institute, Clinton, TN (July 2016).
“Courageous Leadership in the Face of Conflict,” Facilitator, Executive Director Racial Equity Roundtable, Community Inroads, Haverhill, Massachusetts, Virtual (November 2020).**
“Contact, Connection, and Care Amid Conflict,” Facilitator, Learn Together Member Community Development Series, L’Arche USA National Board of Directors, Community Executive Directors, and Community Board Members (November 2020).**
“Just Leadership: Transforming Human Connection Across Difference and Distance,” 2020 John Lewis Fellowship Program, Workshop Facilitator, Humanity in Action, Virtual (June 2020).
“Leading and Facilitating Fearless Dialogues,” Workshop Facilitator, 2019 John Lewis Fellows Program, Humanity in Action, Atlanta, GA (July 2019).
“Formation Day: Fearless Dialogues” Facilitator, Spring Extended Leadership Training for National Executive Leadership and Community Executive Directors,
L’Arche USA, Chicago, IL (March 2019).**
“A Strange Freedom,” Facilitator, Executive Leadership Fearless Dialogues Training, Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) Executive Presbyters Mid-Council
Gathering hosted by Stated Clerk Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Chicago, IL (October 2018).**
“The Growing Edge,” Facilitator, Community of St. Anselm at Lambeth Palace (residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury), Leadership Training with Global
Young Leaders, London, UK (October 2018).
“Learning to Live and Love the Hard Questions,” Facilitator, Fearless Dialogues Community Conversation, Temple Sinai Selichot Service, Atlanta, GA (September 2018).
“Fearless Dialogues and Activism : Activist Training,” Facilitator, Children’s Defense Fund’s Proctor Institute, Clinton, TN (July 2016).
Civic Organizations
2019 Regional Leadership Institute, Workshop Facilitator, Atlanta Regional Commission, Savannah, GA (October 2019).
“Leaders who See the Invisible and Hear the Voiceless,” Closing Retreat Dialogue, Leadership Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, April 2018.**
“The Unacknowledged are All Around Us,” LEAD Training, Leadership Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, November 2016.**
“Leaders who See the Invisible and Hear the Voiceless,” Closing Retreat Dialogue, Leadership Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, April 2018.**
“The Unacknowledged are All Around Us,” LEAD Training, Leadership Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, November 2016.**
Educational Institutions
“Courageous Leadership Across Difference, Discord and Distance,” Facilitator, Emory Woodruff Scholars Program Conflict Response and Inclusion Trainings, Emory University, Atlanta, GA (September & October 2020).
“Courageous Leadership Across Difference, Discord and Distance,” Facilitator, Xavier University Cabinet and Executive Leadership Conflict Response and Inclusion Training, Emory University, Atlanta, GA (September 2020).**
“Courageous Leadership: Embracing Difference and Facing Uncertainty,” Speaker, 2020 Earlham School of Religion Leadership Conference, Earlham School of Religion, Virtual (July 2020).
Marist School Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), Diversity Advisory Committee, Senior Leadership and Board Consultant and Auditor, Marist School, Atlanta, GA (January – June 2020).**
Earlham School of Religion Faculty, Leadership and Staff Conflict Retreat, Retreat Facilitator, Earlham School of Religion Spring 2020 Faculty and Staff Retreat, College Corner, OH (January 2020).**
“Fear+Less, Dialogue More: GBHEM Presidents and Deans’ Winter Retreat” Facilitator, North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Naples, FL (January 2020).**
“Fearless Dialogues,” Workshop Facilitator, 2019 Summer Institute, Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, TN (May 2020).
“Seasons of Care: Communal Grieving, Communal Healing,” Facilitator, The Lovett Schools Community Dialogues, Atlanta, GA (March 2018).
“A Long Loving Look at the Real,” Facilitator, Faculty and Staff Leadership Training, Drew Charter Schools, Atlanta, GA (January 2018).
“Creating a Fear+less Culture,” Facilitator, Faculty, Staff and Administrative Leadership Professional Day, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, Atlanta, GA (March
2019).**
“Seeing Change Hidden in Plain View,” Facilitator, Georgia Institute of Technology, Office of Diversity and Inclusion Challenge Program for Incoming Students of Color, Atlanta, GA (June 2018).
“Courageous Leadership Across Difference, Discord and Distance,” Facilitator, Xavier University Cabinet and Executive Leadership Conflict Response and Inclusion Training, Emory University, Atlanta, GA (September 2020).**
“Courageous Leadership: Embracing Difference and Facing Uncertainty,” Speaker, 2020 Earlham School of Religion Leadership Conference, Earlham School of Religion, Virtual (July 2020).
Marist School Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), Diversity Advisory Committee, Senior Leadership and Board Consultant and Auditor, Marist School, Atlanta, GA (January – June 2020).**
Earlham School of Religion Faculty, Leadership and Staff Conflict Retreat, Retreat Facilitator, Earlham School of Religion Spring 2020 Faculty and Staff Retreat, College Corner, OH (January 2020).**
“Fear+Less, Dialogue More: GBHEM Presidents and Deans’ Winter Retreat” Facilitator, North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Naples, FL (January 2020).**
“Fearless Dialogues,” Workshop Facilitator, 2019 Summer Institute, Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, TN (May 2020).
“Seasons of Care: Communal Grieving, Communal Healing,” Facilitator, The Lovett Schools Community Dialogues, Atlanta, GA (March 2018).
“A Long Loving Look at the Real,” Facilitator, Faculty and Staff Leadership Training, Drew Charter Schools, Atlanta, GA (January 2018).
“Creating a Fear+less Culture,” Facilitator, Faculty, Staff and Administrative Leadership Professional Day, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, Atlanta, GA (March
2019).**
“Seeing Change Hidden in Plain View,” Facilitator, Georgia Institute of Technology, Office of Diversity and Inclusion Challenge Program for Incoming Students of Color, Atlanta, GA (June 2018).
Professional Associations
“On Meaningful Connections Across Difference and Space,” Speaker, ComNet Virtual Roundtable, The Communications Network (April 2020).
“Speaking Truth to Power,” Facilitator, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training, Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), 2019 Annual Conference, San Diego, CA (November 2019).
“Fear+Less, Dialogue More: When Stories Lead to Social Change,” Workshop Speaker, 2019 ColorComm Conference, Women of Color in Communications, Key
Biscayne, FL (July 2019).
“Educating with Head and Heart,” Facilitator, Leadership Training, School Reform Initiative (SRI) National Conference, Atlanta, GA (November 2017).
“Fearless Dialogues Conversation on Muteness and Invisibility,” Facilitator, International Women’s Forum, The Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta, GA (April 2015).**
“Speaking Truth to Power,” Facilitator, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training, Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), 2019 Annual Conference, San Diego, CA (November 2019).
“Fear+Less, Dialogue More: When Stories Lead to Social Change,” Workshop Speaker, 2019 ColorComm Conference, Women of Color in Communications, Key
Biscayne, FL (July 2019).
“Educating with Head and Heart,” Facilitator, Leadership Training, School Reform Initiative (SRI) National Conference, Atlanta, GA (November 2017).
“Fearless Dialogues Conversation on Muteness and Invisibility,” Facilitator, International Women’s Forum, The Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta, GA (April 2015).**
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PUBLICATIONS Book Chapters
“When the Ancestors Wage War: Mystical Movements and the Ethics of War and Warfare.” The Palgrave Handbook of African Social Ethics. Edited by Nimi Wariboko and Toyin Falola. Palgrave MacMillan (April 7, 2020), 217-229.
“‘I’d Rather Die than Wrestle: Gender, Spirituality and Agency Amongst the Luba Mai-Mai.” Female Child Soldiering, Gender Violence and Feminist Theologies. Edited by Susan Wilhauck. Palgrave MacMillan (November 19, 2019), 59-74.Contributions to Larger Works
War and Religion: An Encyclopedia of Faith and Conflict, s.v. “Mau-Mau (Kenya).” Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO (March 2017).
Book Reviews
Review of Stakes Is High: Race, Faith, and Hope for America, by Michael W. Waters. Reading Religion, 29 August 2018, http://readingreligion.org/books/stakes-high.
Review of Displacing the State: Religion and Conflict in Neoliberal Africa, Edited by James Howard Smith and Rosalind I. J. Hackett. Journal of Religion and Violence 3.2 (Winter 2015): 309-312.Blog Posts
“Show Up Before the Showdown: Locating the Genuine as a Compass for the Right Cause.” The Institute for Youth Ministry Blog, Princeton Theological Seminary, 6 April 2017, http://iym.ptsem.edu/show-showdown/.
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ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND LECTURES -
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BOARDS, PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMITTEES
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