08/12/2026
When Faith and Labor Meet
More than 40 faith congregations and representatives from 16 labor unions and organizations gathered at Bibleway Baptist Church on June 26–27th, for a two-day Education Summit hosted by the Community Faith and Labor Transformation Project and the Charleston Alliance for Fair Employment (CAFE).
The summit focused on building lasting partnerships between faith communities and organized labor while equipping workers with organizing skills and community support to advance workplace justice throughout the Lowcountry and the Carolinas.
Throughout the summit, participants heard from leaders representing the Chester Worker Center, CAFE, and the AFL-CIO, who shared updates on labor issues affecting communities across the region. A panel featuring Kim Clark of the Union of Southern Service Workers(USSW), Latoya Agurs of the National Association of Government Employees(NAGE), Max Diaz of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and Gas Adams from the Ferndale Mobile Homes Tennant and USSW, explored the importance of workplace organizing, the challenges workers face in their pursuit of justice, and the vital role faith communities can play in supporting those efforts.
The second day opened with a keynote address from Alex Rias, Director of Civil and Human Rights, AFL-CIO, who emphasized that civil rights and workers' rights are deeply connected. Additional sessions featured Melinda Wiggins and Tony Macias of Labor South, who reflected on the lessons of the To***co Workers Strike, with KB Brower of Bargaining for the Common Good, reminding attendees that building stronger workplaces and communities require continued education, collaboration, and action. The summit concluded with Pastor Mario Alston of Grace Fellowship Ministries highlighting the biblical foundations of one-on-one organizing.
Founded by Kim L. Smith, a USW Staff Representative, Founder of Zoom International Women’s Empowerment & Outreach and board member of the Charleston Alliance for Fair Employment, the Community Faith and Labor Transformation Project was established to bridge the gap between faith communities and the labor movement, recognizing that both share a common commitment to justice, dignity, and service. The initiative was created to empower underserved and marginalized workers by providing education, advocacy, and leadership development while equipping faith leaders with the tools to support workplace organizing efforts.
Through training, community engagement, and strategic partnerships, the project seeks to ensure that workers have a voice in addressing issues such as fair wages, safe working conditions, and equitable treatment. By fostering collaboration between churches and faith communities, labor organizations, and community leaders, the Community Faith and Labor Transformation Project is building a network dedicated to creating lasting social and economic change for working families across the Lowcountry and beyond.
Looking ahead, the Community Faith and Labor Transformation Project will continue its advocacy through initiatives such as Labor in the Pulpit, which generally takes place during labor day weekend, a program that brings faith and labor leaders together to share personal stories, highlight the shared values of justice and dignity, and raise awareness of the challenges facing working people.
To Learn more about The Community Faith and Labor Transformation Project and The Charleston Alliance for Fair Employment contact [email protected]
