As a scholar I work in the intersections of race, class, and gender in attempting to understand the religious meanings of black women. I have begun to look more closely at Diasporic meanings, that is, comparing and contrasting contemporary understandings of African people who shared histories of enslavement across European colonies. This past summer, I was able to take a second trip to Salvador, Brazil. My research this time was focused on women, religion and justice—these overlap in multiple ways in Brazil.

The host organization for this visit was the Instituto de Educação Teológica da Bahia (ITEBA). ITEBA's mission, as stated in their promotional material is "to produce and disseminate understanding in the various areas of knowledge, especially theology in the role it plays in constructing dialogical identities; contributing to the exercise of citizenship through humanistic, critical, and reflection-filled education; and thus preparing competent, ethical, and fully modernized people for the world of work and for the improvement of the quality of life for all citizens, in an ecumenical spirit that respects cultural and religious differences."

Twelve churches religious organizations founded ITEBA, including the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil; the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession of Brazil; the United Methodist Church; and the Anglican Episcopal Church.