OneJax

08/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming The Reverend Beverly Dempsey as CEO of OneJax! 👏

Rev. Dempsey brings more than two decades of pastoral and nonprofit executive leadership and a deep commitment to civil discourse, multicultural unity, community trust-building and just hospitality.

An ordained Presbyterian minister with an MBA and MDiv, she brings a rare combination of theological depth and executive discipline. Her career spans Fortune 500 corporate marketing and banking, nonprofit executive leadership and parish ministry in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Jacksonville.

Locally, Rev. Dempsey serves as organizing pastor of Mayport Open Table, a new Presbyterian worshiping community centered on shared meals, food access and wraparound community support. She has also served Palms Presbyterian Church and Highlands United Presbyterian Church and held board governance roles with several mission-driven institutions.

As OneJax begins this next chapter, Rev. Dempsey will help guide the youth, interfaith and community-building programs that create the conditions for belonging and bring Jacksonville residents together across faiths, cultures and perspectives.

We’re grateful to welcome her relationship-centered leadership to OneJax. Please help us welcome Rev. Dempsey in the comments! 💙

08/26/2026

What happens when young people are given space to listen, reflect and lead?

For Charles, participating in the OneYouth LAUNCH Leadership Summit meant learning how to find common ground, understand what others are going through and help create one community.

“We all live in the same city and share more than we think. OneJax has changed lives across Jacksonville, and programs like LAUNCH help build leadership while also teaching the emotional side—understanding what others are going through.”

As part of OneJax’s OneYouth programs, LAUNCH brings emerging leaders from across Jacksonville together for meaningful dialogue, skill-building and community connection. The lessons they carry forward can shape their schools, friendships and communities.

Explore how OneYouth programs help Jacksonville students build leadership, dialogue and community-connection skills: https://onejax.org/programs/youth-programs/

08/26/2026

08/24/2026

TOMORROW: What can sacred texts teach us when we read them together?

Join OneJax for Scriptural Reasoning on Aug 25, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at The Point at San Marco Presbyterian.

Scriptural Reasoning is one way OneJax brings interfaith work to life: people of different faiths—and no faith—read, reflect and reason together across sacred texts. Whether you’re new to interfaith dialogue or a longtime participant, all are welcome.

To attend, contact Rev. Rebekah McLeod Hutto at [email protected].

08/18/2026

One conversation can change how a young person sees their entire community.

Meet Shrihan, an eighth-grade student who participated in the OneYouth LAUNCH Leadership Summit.

Here’s what he shared:
“I learned to be kind to others at all times. Even if someone is going through a hard time or is being mean to you, you should still choose kindness.”

This is why we do this work.

As part of OneJax’s OneYouth programs, LAUNCH gives young people a place to practice the kind of leadership our community needs: listening first, leading with respect and building connection across difference.

See how OneYouth programs help young people build leadership skills, practice respectful dialogue and connect across differences: https://onejax.org/programs/youth-programs/

08/13/2026

Join us as we embark on a journey of inter-faith dialogue through our Scriptural Reasoning series.

The Scriptural Reasoning Series with Atlantic Institute!
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Join us as we embark on a journey of inter-faith dialogue through our Scriptural Reasoning series. This unique approach brings people of different faiths together to read and reflect on their scriptures, not seeking agreement but exploring texts and their interpretations across faith boundaries. It's about learning to 'disagree better' and fostering deeper understanding and respect.

Event Highlights:

Topic: "Food"
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Jonathan Swanson from Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Engage in Genuine Dialogue: Scriptural Reasoning is a genuine opportunity for committed religious individuals to engage in inter-faith practice without undermining particularity. Deepen your own faith commitment and engagement with members of other faiths simultaneously

This is the 15th gathering of this series, where we'll explore different scriptures, fostering bonds across faith communities and promoting a deeper understanding of our own and others' scriptures.
Refreshments will be provided, ensuring a warm and welcoming environment reminiscent of Abraham's hospitality.

🗓 Date: Tuesday, August 25.
⏰ Time: 6:30pm
📍 Venue: The Point @ San Marco Presbyterian Church (2137 Hendricks Ave)
Parking is available on the first floor of the garage behind the church on Mitchell Avenue.

Everyone is welcome! RSVP today and be part of this transformative experience.




https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scriptural-reasoning-series-with-atlantic-institute-tickets-1994870468271?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

08/12/2026

Please join us in welcoming Shari Shuman as Chair of the OneJax Board of Directors! 👏

Shari brings more than 40 years of executive leadership experience and a deep commitment to civic engagement, nonprofit leadership and strategic collaboration.

She founded Shuman Consulting Services, LLC in 2020 after serving 16 years as Vice President of Administration and Finance at the University of North Florida, where she oversaw 21 departments and led more than 650 employees. Her public service also includes leadership roles with the City of Jacksonville as Chief of Staff for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, City Treasurer and City Comptroller.

As OneJax looks ahead, Shari will help guide the youth, interfaith and community-building programs that bring Jacksonville residents together across faiths, cultures and perspectives.

We’re grateful for her leadership, perspective and commitment to helping OneJax grow its impact. Please help us welcome Shari in the comments! 💙

07/31/2026

One mission. Four pillars.🔢

Our mission is simple: foster respect, understanding, and connection across lines of difference.

Here's how we do it:

1️⃣ Youth Programs
Programs like LAUNCH Leadership Summit help young people learn to lead across difference from an early age.

2️⃣ Interfaith Programs
We bring people from different faith traditions together to build relationships, not just tolerance.

3️⃣ Community Engagement & Civil Discourse
We create spaces for connection and teach people to disagree with respect — skills that are never more important than right now.

4️⃣ Humanitarian Awards Event
Every year, we celebrate the people quietly making a difference in our community — because recognition inspires action.

Which pillar resonates with you most? Tell us below. 💬
Follow along to see each pillar in action this month.

07/28/2026

We're a small team doing big work — running youth programs, interfaith initiatives, community building events, civil discourse trainings, and Jacksonville's Humanitarian Awards.

But here's what you don't see:
The hours of listening that happen before every program
The relationships we build across our city
The quiet moments when someone says, "I never thought about it that way"

Our team believes in the power of connection — and we show up for it every day.

Want to know who we are and what drives us? Visit www.onejax.org.
Follow along — we'll be sharing more about our team and mission this month.

Drop a ❤️ if you believe in this work.