Jonathan Stafford graduated with a Master of Arts with a concentration in Ethics in 2017. He currently serves as the Culture and Engagement Manager at Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) in Washington, D.C.
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WABA empowers people to ride bikes, build connections, and transform places. They envision a just and sustainable transportation system where walking, biking, and transit are the best ways to get around. WABA acquires, manages, and distributes our limited resources in ways that align to our values and best serve the people and communities in our region. And when they are successful, their transportation system looks different — easier to use, accessible to everyone, more affordable, and climate-resilient — and more people join them for the ride.
WABA supports transportation equity. Transportation equity means that who you are doesn’t limit how you get around. In an equitable transportation system, your identity and experience—your race, gender, or ability; how much money you have, and where you live—don’t affect whether you can use safe, comfortable multimodal transportation options.
Jonathan became passionate about racial justice long before his current position. Jonathan said “the work I do allows me to continue to rethink and re-engage with the limitless number of ways that justice can be experienced in our daily lives. Working in transportation equity has given me an opportunity marry my experiences towards a better understanding of how religion and politics often overlap”.
Prior to enrolling in at CRCDS he was a Police Officer in Southeast Texas for 10 years. He was considering returning to police work but then the death of Trayvon Martin and the silence of "good cops" he called friends changed where he thought he could have the greatest impact. Jonathon wanted to understand and needed to rethink ways in which the faith he espoused could once again help move us towards a life that he had read so much about, so he enrolled at CRCDS.
Johnathan said “CRCDS is a school known for social justice and a rich history of preparing people for a life in Christian service. I think this is just an extension of those things”.
He said “one of my mentors used to say, "the devil can't have all the good lawyers, and Christians can't be the only one taking out the trash". In other words—the kingdom needs all of us, doing what God has gifted us with. No matter where I am, or what I end up doing, the lessons learned and connections made at CRCDS are a big part of that”.