Dr. Jimiliz Valiente-Neighbours immigrated from the Philippines to Long Beach, California as a child. Her transnational upbringing has greatly influenced her faith practices, teaching and pedagogy, research interests, and community engagement. For example, her article “Mobility, Embodiment, and Scales: Filipino Immigrant Perspectives on Local Food” (2012) argues that local food scholars and activists need to consider the standpoints of communities who define “local” and “local food” differently, to expand their work toward social justice matters around food.

Kevin Modesto is Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Point Loma Nazarene University. His primary passion is the role of religion in social intervention and transformation. Kevin brings a unique blend of scholarly and practical experience to the field, having started and led a faith-based nonprofit and church in Raleigh, NC and served as a program director and on pastoral staff in Los Angeles.