Animals and the Kingdom of God Lecture

Sistah Vegan, Thirteen Years Later: Reflections on Justice Work, Family, and Plant-Based Living

In 2010, the groundbreaking publication of Sistah Vegan: Black Women Speak on Food, Identity, Health, and Society invited the world to envision going vegan not as an exclusive niche diet, but as a holistic, hospitable way of life with benefits that radiate far beyond the individual. The Rev. Dr. Michelle Loyd-Paige set the tone for this influential multi-author volume, contributing the book’s first chapter—“Thinking and Eating at the Same Time: Reflections of a Sistah Vegan”. Since then, Loyd-Paige has learned a lot, stayed true to her convictions, and helped others make the switch to plant-based living. In this presentation, she reflects on the surprising and uplifting connections among her justice work, her family, and her commitment to eating like a vegan.

Dr. Michelle Loyd-Paige is the executive associate to the president for diversity and inclusion and also holds an appointment of professor of sociology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Loyd-Paige joined the department of sociology and social work at Calvin College in 1985 having finished her graduate course work at Purdue University. Loyd-Paige served as chair of the department of sociology and social work from 1999-2001; the dean for multicultural affairs from 2006–2015; was appointed as interim executive associate to the president for diversity and inclusion in 2013; and began a regular appointment as the executive associate to the president in 2015.

A dessert reception, catered by Just Enjoy vegan bakery, will follow the lecture.