Jessica Vasquez Torres

Jessica Vazquez Torres is a proven leader with 20 years-experience in antiracism, anti-oppression, and cultural competency workshop development and facilitation. An effective communicator and critical thinker, deeply committed to dismantling the socially constituted structures and cultural dynamics that oppress, marginalize, and harm People of Color, Queer, and immigrant communities and limit their access and control over the resources they need to thrive. Jessica, a 1.5-Generation ESL Queer Latina of Puerto Rican descent, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida, a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary, and a Master of Theological Studies from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She has co-authored a four-session adult study on the history of racism in the United States. Jessica has presented at the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Studies annual meeting as well as during the gathering of the Society for Christian Ethics. Her papers were titled: The Suffering that Pulls Us Together & Pulls Us Apart: Moral Injury, Race, and the Challenge of Solidarity in Social Justice Work? (2019), Does Moral Injury Have a Color? On Moral Injury and Race in the United States? (2014), ace and Virtue: The Practice and Ethics of Race Based Caucusing” (2012). When not facilitating a conversation virtually or in person, Jessica attempts to become a bread baker, cultivates community with her spouse Laura, listens to too many books and podcasts at once, walks (sometimes for exercise), and sings songs badly with full abandon.