About Us
Durham Congregations In Action (DCIA) organizes communities of diverse faiths to work for racial justice, social equity, and human dignity. We lead inter-faith learning and cooperation to overcome poverty, racism and violence.
DCIA Affirmation
In a spirit of reconciliation and with gratitude for the gift of diversity, DCIA seeks to inform, connect, and engage all people to create a community of justice and peace through our common prayers and acts of compassion; and with prophetic courage to act as advocates for the dignity and well-being of all persons, recognizing that behind every human face is the face of God.
2025 Officers & Board Members
President
Dr. Hope Hartman,
Beth El Synagogue
Vice President
Rev. Tanya Best,
Mt. Calvary UCC
Treasurer
Bob Newlin,
Parkwood United Methodist Church
Secretary
Dennis Cullen,
Westminster Presbyterian
Larry Brown,
Bahá’í Community of Durham
Chaplain Priya Amaresh,
Hindu Life at Duke
Rev. Dr. Warren Herndon,
City of Joy Ministries, Past President
Katushka Olave,
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Rev. Tobi Nguyen,
Trinity United Methodist Church
Rashad Rahman,
W. Deen Muhammed Islamic Center
Kevin Griffin,
Masjid Muhammed
Gordon Whitaker,
Watts St. Baptist Church, Past President
Jo Wall,
Cole Mill Road Church of Christ
Rev. Melinda Keenan Wood,
Pilgrim United Church of Christ
Staff
Rev. Breana van Velzen, Executive Director
The Rev. Breana van Velzen is an ordained Baptist minister. Breana holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div) from Duke Divinity School, a Master of Social Work (M.S.W) from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor in English Education with Secondary Licensure and a Minor in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
Breana is a certified spiritual director and a non-profit consultant experienced in non-profit leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion change-making, and theo-ethical praxis for parachurch ministry and faith-based institutions.
In addition to the role of Executive Director for Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA), Breana serves on the board of Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity and is part of Baptist Women in Ministry NC and the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham (RCND).
