SUFH Speakers

Rev. Sylvia E. Sumter is the host and architect of the Stand Up for Humanity event.  She currently serves as the Senior Minister of Unity of Washington, DC, a center for spiritual growth and dynamic transformation, where people discover the joy of living, loving and serving through the understanding and application of the Spiritual Principles of Truth.  Prior to her tenure in Washington, DC, Rev. Sylvia served as the Chairperson of Communication Studies and Skills Department for the Unity School of Religious Studies, at Unity Village, Missouri.  She is a natural, gifted teacher who spent the early part of her career as a professional counselor; and also served as an Assistant Director and Director of Higher Education at institutes of higher learning.

For over 20 years Kevin Kitrell Ross has been on a mission to inspire and empower everyday people to live extraordinary dreams. Whether it’s with his work as a celebrated life coach, radio show host, leadership consultant, author, or in his role as the Senior Minister and Chief Executive Officer of Unity of Sacramento, “Rev. Kev”, as he is affectionately called,  believes all people deserve to live lives of purpose, passion, peace and prosperity. Ross is equally committed to co-creating a world that works for all. His work has taken him globally as a keynote conference speaker, workshop facilitator and adviser to business and political leaders. He has shared the stage with luminaries ranging from His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, President Nelson Mandela to Ella Gandhi, US Congressman Ami Bera and Dr. Marian Wright Edelman of the Children’s Defense Fund.

Ambassador Mussie Hailu is a peace activist who is working at national, regional and international level in promoting peace, reconciliation, interfaith & inter-cultural harmony, disarmament, world citizenship, building right human relationships, constructive dialogue and building bridges for international cooperation and promoting the teaching of the Golden Rule which says “Treat others the way you want to be treated” as a guiding principle to enhance respect and human dignity. He also actively works against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Africa.  Currently, he serves as Director of Global Partnership for United Religions Initiative, in addition to Representative of URI to the United Nations and African Union. (www.uri.org)

Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed lecturer, activist and author.  She has been one of America’s most well known public voices for more than three decades. Seven of her 13 published books have been New York Times best sellers –  four of which have been #1 New York times bestselling books.  Marianne’s most recent book, A POLITICS OF LOVE: A Handbook for a New American Revolution was released this year. Marianne has been a popular guest on television programs such as Oprah, Good Morning America, and Bill Maher.

Paul Luftenegger is an International Multi Award Winning Singer and Songwriter who writes music to inspire and promote global love and kindness from within. Paul’s focus is growing and nurturing self worth within the listener.  Paul is a leader in his new genre of music he calls ‘Conscious Healing Music’ to empower the listener’s heart and soul to thrive with self love. Paul believes in spreading Abundant Peace, Love, Joy, Happiness and Prosperity with as much kindness as humanly possible.

Dr. BK Mruthyunjaya is the Executive Secretary of Brahma Kumaris and has been the Organizing Secretary of various national and international Conferences held at Mount Abu and other places of the country. He has also produced and directed some documentary films such as ‘Who am I?’, ‘Divya Jyoti’, ‘Divya Darshan’, ‘Brahma Baba’, ‘Abu Darshan’, ‘3-D Film on Meditation Show’. He has been honored with several national and international awards for his glorious contributions in the field of values, spirituality, education, peace and socio-spiritual uplift of the nation in particular and world in general.

Rev. Paulette Pipe is a gifted meditation teacher, best known for hosting the popular, lively meditation and mindfulness practices radio program, “Touching the Stillness,” on Unity Online Radio. With a distinctive mesmerizing voice, and reputation for leading heart-felt meditations, she masterfully creates rich, sacred experiences, around a wide-range of traditional and unexpected meditation practice, making them both practical and accessible for daily application. Paulette is also Keeper of the Flame for Unity Worldwide Ministries’ Board of Trustees; silently holding sacred prayer space during board meetings.

Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center.  Highly regarded for his teachings on the science of inner transformation, Dr. Beckwith embraces a practical approach to spirituality that acknowledges the accelerated pace of our contemporary times.  His unique transmission of spiritual practices including meditation, affirmative prayer, and life visioning enable the practitioner to take the experience of inner peace coupled with awakened awareness into the activities of everyday life.

Sister Jenna is a spiritual leader, author, radio host and TV personality, renowned speaker and founder of the Meditation Museum I & II in metropolitan Washington, DC. Selected by EBW2020 as one of the 100 most influential leaders for 2015, her mission is to decode critical current issues and offer a perspective for folks to find clarity, power, and insight. Despite the many life challenges that we face on a global scale, Sister Jenna has an uncanny ability to connect us back to where our problems originated and shift our awareness toward the solutions. Her voice of influence is particularly needed in the wake of tragedy and increasing violence in our world.  Sister Jenna is the recipient of numerous awards and proclamations including, the President’s Lifetime National Community Service Award, Every Day Hero Award by the Foundation for Better Life and the Friendship Archway Awards, to name a few. Writes for Huffington Post, Positively Positive, Global Thrive, and Good Men Project and more.

Rev. Donna Johnson is the President and CEO of Unity Worldwide Ministries (UWM), an association that includes Unity ministries, their leaders and congregants, regions and a central office. UWM provides practical teachings to help people live healthy, prosperous and meaningful lives. The Unity movement stands for and will tirelessly work for harmony so all people may know the freedom of peaceful expression; so they may know their own inner worth and essential contribution to the whole of life.