I am proud to have been born and raised in Appalachia. My homeplace is a small Apple Farm nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. A region my family has farmed for generations. This place instilled in me values that remain core to this day: community, resiliency, place, and creativity.

While I now may reside outside of Appalachia, its culture continues to run deep in my veins. From spending my free time hiking new trails to collecting mountain folk art by Lenore DePree, when the mountains call me home for a visit, I listen.

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Education from Emory & Henry College (now Emory & Henry University) in Emory, Virginia prior to pursuing my Master of Divinity at Wake Forest University School of Divinity in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

At both institutions, the learning I received outside the classroom was just as important as that I received inside the classroom. At Emory & Henry I was a Bonner Scholar which helped me understand (and accept) the concept of 'place' through integrated service learning. Through Wake Forest University School of Divinity's Art of Ministry program I was able to explore my sense of call and vocation in spaces of faith beyond the traditional church.

My educational endeavors didn't cease after graduation. Since my seminary experience I've earned a Certificate in Faith Based Nonprofit Leadership from Wake Forest University School of Divinity and pursued the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

How does the old saying go? If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans. 

The honest truth? I never wanted to be a Pastor. In fact, one of the Biblical figures I relate to most is Jonah (you know the guy who ran from God's call and got swallowed up by a whale?). While never swallowed by a whale, I did look every which way but God when discerning my vocation - especially after coming out. 

However, God had a plan. I discovered the Alliance of Baptists - my ordaining body, integrated myself in open and affirming congregations, and slowly accepted that I didn't have to change who I was to be loved and called by the Divine. My discernment around vocational call centered around the word "and."

I could be gay AND a Baptist Pastor.

I could be an entrepreneur AND fight economic injustice.

So here I am - a Gay Baptist Entrepreneurial Minister called to reimagine business for social impact.

Financial Education is personal - especially for me. I had an ugly coming out experience where my personal finances were weaponized in an attempt to get me to run back into the closet. During this time I navigated the ugliness of poverty - from housing insecurity to uncertain cash flow.

While my parents taught me about money growing up I never had any serious education around how to money. If it wasn't for friends and a strong community of support, I would have never made the right money moves that allowed me to break the cycle of financial insecurity.

Everyone's relationship with money is unique, but my hope is that through my holistic approach to financial education I can be that source of hope and wisdom to others. In fact, this is what led me to found Reverend Money and create the My Money Mosaic framework for holistic financial formation. In a world of economic injustice, financial empowerment is subversive - so let's be subversive together.

I have a little blue book titled "Trust Your Crazy Ideas" and I aim to do just that.

Entrepreneurship has always come easy for me. From running a car wash in my parents driveway to selling miniature  pumpkins  10 for $1 back in the early 2000s - I have always had a knack for business and startups. My first official business was actually in grad school where I operated a pet sitting business called 'Tails and Tassels' - a clever little nod to a student pet sitting to help pay his tuition.

I closed down Tails & Tassels upon graduation in 2016 and pursued full-time professional work for several years before starting Reverend Money in 2021. Since then I've slowly expanded my professional portfolio with the creation of the Wild Imagination Fund and the My Money Mosaic framework. Currently, my focus is on growing Reverend Money to reach as many faith leaders as possible, but I'd be lying if I said this would be the last business I ever start. The truth is that I have many more "ideas for good" that I hope to bring to life.

So, stay tuned. Who knows what's on the next page of my little blue book.

Tithing has always been a part of my faith experience. Therefore it came as no surprise that when I dove into entrepreneurship I couldn't shake this crazy question: what if businesses tithed?

Following the launch of Reverend Money, I worked with the Winston-Salem Foundation to create The Wild Imagination Fund. This fund is where I pledge to tithe at least 10% of my business profits to be redistributed to Winston-Salem based nonprofits working to end poverty. The best part? Anyone can join me in this pledge.

The fund isn't endowed, but designed to be a revolving door. Money that comes in from the previous year's profits are to be redistributed in the current calendar year. The fund's giving policy is rooted in trust-based philanthropy and given freely without the need of review or reporting. 

I hold this crazy belief that a world without poverty is possible and I aim to bring us as close as possible to that reality in my lifetime. This fund is a good step to making it happen.

Let me introduce you to my home.

Winston-Salem is a small, but thriving city located in North Carolina's Piedmont. Known as the City of Arts and Innovation, we are home to four major colleges and universities, art museums, and some of the biggest brands out there (Krispy Kreme, Hanesbrands, and Texas Pete just to name a few). In other words, this place isn't afraid of creativity, learning, and risk-taking - which is kinda perfect for me! Not to mention that we are right next to North Carolina's wine country and just a short drive to the mountains and the Outer Banks.

While my work has me traveling all over the country, I must admit how happy I am every time I see that Winston-Salem skyline. Come visit us sometime - we'd love to have you.

If you don't know me through my entrepreneurial endeavors or my ministry, then you likely know me through my love of Dogs.

My partner and I have been fostering with AARF of Winston-Salem, a local rescue since 2023. To date, we've fostered 8 dogs: Daisy, Rascal, Libby, Rupert, Deacon, Colorado, Eliza, and Felix. Each one of these pups brought their own unique personality to our household and taught us just as much about love, forgiveness, and resiliency as we taught them.

If you find yourself in the greater Winston-Salem area looking for a four-legged friend - I encourage you to take a look at AARF (or better yet - join me as a foster!).

My Top 10 List 

No explanations. No particular order (except #1). 

1. Anything Dolly Parton
2. A Garden's First Sprout
3. The Bark of a River Birch Tree
4. Grandma's Sourdough Bread
5. Any Dog that doesn't understand Personal Space
6. A Mountain Ride in a Jeep with the Top Off
7. A Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley
8. The Silence after a fresh Snowfall
9. An Off-Season Tuesday Night in the Outer Banks
10. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison