Speakers & Chaplain

Simone Gamble (they/them) is the founder of OAAARS, a BIPOC-led consultancy dedicated to delivering social justice-focused training aimed at fostering safer and more equitable workplaces while cultivating change agents within and beyond professional spaces. A passionate community organizer and youth educator with roots in the South Bronx,

Simone has collaborated with numerous youth programs to create safer spaces for marginalized identities, applying an intersectional and anti-oppressive approach. With over 20 years of camp experience, Simone’s journey spans from camper to staff roles, including counselor and assistant camp director.

Chaplain Mary Cat Young grew up as an Episcopal camp kid in the Diocese of Arkansas and Minnesota. She has been a church professional for over twenty years, having served as a lay youth minister, summer camp staffer, diocesan staff, parish priest and college chaplain in parishes of all sizes in the Midwest, Northeast and

the South. Mary Cat has been the Associate Rector for University Ministry at the Chapel of the Cross/UNC-Chapel Hill, NC since 2019. She loves camp, crafting and community.

Imani-Grace is a multidisciplinary vocalist who studied under the instruction Connaitre Miller and Cyrus Chestnut. She has shared stages with the likes of George Duke, Esperanza Spalding, Geri Allen, Terri Lynn Carrington, Lil John Roberts, Christian McBride, and Warren Wolf. Imani-Grace has headlined The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts,

Apollo Theatre and The Lincoln Center. Her experience also includes a two-month residency at Quincy Jones' listening room, Q's Lounge and Bar of the Palazzo Versace Hotel in Dubai, UAE with The Justin Kauflin Quartet. She has curated numerous events in the D.C., and endorses holism for marginalized communities through art and entertainment as the mission of her advocacy group, Pyramid Projects. She has presented in master class at The Ohio State University, her alma mater Howard University, Georgetown University, Duke Ellington School of the Arts and abroad in Havanna, Cuba, and Zurich, Switzerland. She is the lead singer for Theodicy Jazz Collective, a liturgical ensemble and is a regular guest artist of The National Symphony Orchestra. Imani-Grace believes music is the universal thread that knits the fabric of humanity. She became a global conduit of comfort during the Covid-19 lockdown offering songs of hope and faith as lead vocalist of the Washington National Cathedral in virtual worship. More information on Pyramid Projects and tour dates for Imani-Grace can be found at www.Imani-Grace.com