The Communion Collective
Faith + Love + Community
The Communion Collective is a group of artists committed to infusing the spirit of communion within educational practices, communal gatherings, and spiritaully-informed spaces. Our vision is to transform the world through love, vulnerability, and relationship.
What
We Do
All of our work falls within three primary buckets: (a) educational practices,
(b) communal gatherings, and (c) spiritually-informed spaces. We provide speaking engagements, interactive workshops, various consulting services, and other art mediums to faith communities and educational organizations rooted in a message of love. We currently have two ongoing projects that include our Communion for Black Men healing space and our weekly virtual bible study for young adults called Unplugged. For a more detailed description of our educational-based services, see our Services.
Dr. Christopher Travers
Founder, The Communion Collective
Dr. Christopher S. Travers (he/him) is an educator, speaker, writer, and artist. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland...
Dr. Christopher S. Travers (he/him) is an educator, speaker, writer, and artist. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Travers earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology from Frostburg State University, master's in Counseling Psychology from Towson University, and Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University.
His scholarship explores life-making among Black folx in higher education through liberatory masculinities; faith and spiritual connection; and love-based pedagogy and practice. His work is published in several scholarly journals, including Spectrum: A Journal on Black Men, The Journal of Negro Education, Urban Education, and the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, among others. Christopher holds 15+ years of experience in education, teaching, speaking, and diversity + equity programming. In addition to serving as Founder + CEO of The Communion Collective, Dr. Travers is also a Visiting Assistant Professor of Black Studies at Denison University in Granville, OH, where he teaches courses at the intersection of Black Studies and Education.
Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Dr. Travers is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a board member of the Davon Green Franklin Foundation. In his spare time, Dr. Travers enjoys visiting new coffee shops, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Derrick Tillman-Kelly
Chief of Staff, College of Engineering OSU
Derrick L. Tillman-Kelly currently serves as chief of staff in the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University...
Derrick L. Tillman-Kelly currently serves as chief of staff in the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University. He earned his PhD in educational policy and leadership with a specialization in higher education and student affairs from Ohio State with a graduate interdisciplinary specialization in sexuality studies. An experienced researcher, administrator, and project manager, Dr. Tillman-Kelly has nearly 15 years of experience in higher education and has worked as a consultant and speaker for colleges, universities, and educational organizations across the country on organizational leadership, equity, and student development.
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Ivory Levert
Certified Yoga Instructor
Ivory Levert is a certified yoga guide, specializing in vinyasa, restorative, and pre/post natal yoga through a trauma informed lens.
Ivory Levert is a certified yoga guide, specializing in vinyasa, restorative, and pre/post natal yoga through a trauma informed lens. She infuses meditation, breathwork, and mindful movement through her curated yoga classes, series, workshops and retreats. Ivory focuses on empowering individuals to reconnect to themselves both on and off the yoga mat; helping folks learn their bodies, know when to challenge themselves and when to seek rest. As an artist with TCC, Ivory has co-led several assemblies and small-group sessions with students on self-love, mindfulness, and positive affirmations.
Simone Bacon
Health Administrator & Ministry Leader
Simone Bacon is a healthcare administrator, ministry leader, and creative. Driven by her purpose of helping to facilitate healing...
Simone Bacon is a healthcare administrator, ministry leader, and creative. Driven by her purpose of helping to facilitate healing physically, spiritually, and emotionally, Simone enjoys promoting wellness and equity by engaging communities through compassionate leadership. Outside of her professional career as a healthcare administrator, Simone has several creative and ministerial passions including leading One Look Ministries (a young adult digital ministry platform), content creation, event curation, public speaking, panel moderation, and website design.
Who We've Worked With
We've partnered with the following organizations (L to R): Life Transformation Church 614, Blendon Middle School, Westerville North High School, Walnut Springs Middle School, Wilder Elementary School/Westerville City School District, Mosaic Education Network, Learning Unboxed Podcast, Upper Arlington City School District, Columbus State Community College, Blacktivism in the Academy, Morning Star Baptist Church, ACPA - Coalition on Men and Masculinities
Not Pictured: Client Impact, LLC