In this episode of Quakers Today, co-hosts Sweet Miche (they/them) and Peterson Toscano (he/him) explore the impact of affinity groups and how they provide a space for community and spiritual nourishment.
Affinity Spaces: A Sacred Necessity
African American Friends Vanessa Julye and Curtis Spence speak from the heart about why affinity spaces are sacred. Vanessa, Associate Secretary for Organizational Cultural Transformation at Friends General Conference, and Curtis, a writer and minister, share how these groups offer "soul rest," a place to breathe, and an opportunity to be fully seen without constantly centering polite white supremacy (PWS). Vanessa credits Yawo Brown as the originator of the phrase, “polite white supremacy.”
“I didn’t join a BIPOC Quaker affinity group because I had something to teach. I joined because I needed to breathe.” — Curtis Spence
“If there is a BIPOC person within Quakerism looking for a place where they can have more connections with other BIPOC people, there are resources out there... I hope there comes a time when we can stop justifying affinity spaces.” — Vanessa Julye
You'll hear excerpts from their influential articles in the October 2025 issue of Friends Journal:
Vanessa Julye, Affinity Spaces for BIPOC Friends: Healing from Polite White Supremacy Together [link to article at FriendsJournal.org]
Curtis Spence, We Gather to Affinity Worship and the Light That Disrupts [link to article at FriendsJournal.org]
Extended Conversation: Watch the full video conversation with Vanessa Julye and Curtis Spence on the Friends Journal YouTube channel. [insert hyperlink]
Environmental Justice & the Illusion of Separation
Writer and activist Eileen Flanagan shares wisdom from her new book, Common Ground: How the Crisis of the Earth Is Saving Us from Our Illusion of Separation. She connects the spiritual dilemma of loving one's neighbor with the urgent realities of the climate crisis, highlighting how environmental racism creates a shared, though unequal, stake in the fight for a habitable world.
“I boiled down my dilemma to a challenging theological question: How do I love my neighbor when he is killing my other neighbors?” — Eileen Flanagan
Learn more about Eileen, her tour, and her writing at EileenFlanagan.com.
Read a review of Common Ground by Rua Swinterfeld at FriendsJournal.org.
For one of her chapters, Eileen interviewed Daniel Hunter. Learn more about Daniel at DanielHunter.org.
Resources for Community & Spiritual Nourishment
We share a few of the vibrant affinity spaces available online for Friends seeking deeper connection and specific spiritual community:
Ujima Friends Meeting: An online community of Friends of African descent. (Worship on Sundays, Prayer on Wednesdays). Visit UjimaFriends.org.
Three Rivers Meeting: An online queer Christian meeting. (Worship on Thursdays, Vespers on Sunday evenings). Visit ThreeRiversMeeting.org.
Quaker Discord Channel: An active app-based server with channels for Spanish-speaking Friends, queer Friends, disabled Friends, and more.
FLGBTQC, Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Concerns.
Question for Next Month
Who is someone you’ve encountered in fiction that embodies Quakerness? The character could be from a book or movie. They could be a hero or even a minor character, and they do not need to be Quaker.
Leave us a voicemail with your name and town at 317-QUAKERS (317-782-5377). (+1 if outside the U.S.) You can also reply by email at
[email protected] or on our social media channels.
Quakers Today is the companion podcast to Friends Journal and other Friends Publishing Corporation content. It is written, hosted, and produced by Peterson Toscano and Sweet Miche.
Sponsors
Season Five of Quakers Today is sponsored by Friends Fiduciary
Friends Fiduciary
This season is sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee.
AFSC works at the forefront of social change to meet urgent needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.
Did you know AFSC helped thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish refugees during World War II resettle in the U.S.? Today, AFSC works toward a future where everyone can thrive, has access to legal status, and is safe from detention and deportation.
Learn how you can take action for immigrant safety, dignity, and well-being at afsc.org/stronger-immigrants.
Friends Fiduciary combines Quaker values with expert investment management. They serve more than 460 organizations with ethical portfolios, shareholder advocacy, and a deep commitment to justice and sustainability.
Friend Fiduciary blends Quaker principles with smart, mission-driven investing. With 100% of revenue supporting their mission and a 100% Quaker board, they help hundreds of faith-based groups invest ethically and affordably. Learn more at FriendsFiduciary.org.
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) works at the forefront of social change to meet urgent needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.
Did you know AFSC helped thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish refugees during World War II resettle in the U.S.? Today, AFSC works toward a future where everyone can thrive, has access to legal status, and is safe from detention and deportation.
Discover how you can take action for the safety, dignity, and well-being of immigrants at AFSC.org.
Music in this episode comes from Epidemic Sound.
For the extended video version of this episode, visit the Friends Journal YouTube channel (insert hyperlink). For a full transcript, visit QuakersToday.org.
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