OneJax is proud to welcome Shari Shuman as our Board Chair. Shari brings more than 40 years of executive leadership experience, along with a deep commitment to civic engagement, nonprofit leadership, and strategic collaboration in our community.
In 2020, Shari founded Shuman Consulting Services, LLC, where she partners with higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies on strategic initiatives, organizational assessments, governance, financial leadership, and special projects. Prior to that, she served for 16 years as Vice President of Administration and Finance at the University of North Florida, where she oversaw 21 departments and led more than 650 employees. She also held leadership roles with the City of Jacksonville, including Chief of Staff for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, City Treasurer, and City Comptroller.
As OneJax looks ahead, Shari will help guide our efforts to expand organizational programming, including youth programs, while also strengthening community awareness of OneJax’s mission and impact. We are grateful for her leadership, perspective, and commitment to helping OneJax grow its reach and deepen its connection with the community.
OneYouth Spotlight:
LAUNCH Leadership Summit
& Student Voices!
This summer, our OneYouth LAUNCH Leadership Summit brought together emerging young leaders from across Jacksonville for transformative dialogue, skill-building, and community connection.
Hear directly from one of our participants in our student feature video as Amina shares her LAUNCH experience and how it’s shaping her leadership journey.
What’s Next: Stay tuned for more OneYouth programs! For details or to get involved, visit OneJax/OneYouth or contact Director of OneYouth Programs, Joseph Ray, at Joseph@onejax.org.
Our Scriptural Reasoning series is back on August 25, offering a space for people of different faiths—and no faith—to read, reflect, and reason together across sacred texts. Whether you’re new to interfaith dialogue or a longtime participant, all are welcome.
Learn more and register here or reach out to Director of Interfaith & Cultural Programs, Rev. Rebekah Hutto, atrebekah@onejax.org.
Breaking Bread & Barriers – Preview
E Pluribus Unum — “Out of Many, One”
Our next Breaking Bread & Barriers series takes on a timely and enduring question: How do many become one? Centered on the theme E Pluribus Unum — “Out of Many, One,” this four-part series invites our community into conversations about identity, belonging, religious liberty, justice, and the common good as we reflect on what shared civic life asks of us today.
Each session will feature personal stories, fireside conversations, and guided table discussions designed to foster curiosity across differences and deepen understanding. As we recognize America’s 250th anniversary, this series will explore how our differences can strengthen community rather than divide it.
The four conversations will include:
Becoming American: Who Belongs?
Freedom of Conscience: Can We Live Together with Our Deepest Differences?
The Pursuit of Justice: What Does Equality Require?
The Common Good: What Do We Owe One Another?
Save the date and stay tuned for more details on the full series.
Upcoming Events:
Monday, October 26th
Tuesday, January 19th
Tuesday, March 30th
Tuesday, May 25th
Save the Date: May 6, 2027!
HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
Join us in celebrating neighbors who live OneJax’s mission through action, inclusion, and service. Save the date for the next OneJax Humanitarian Awards on May 6, 2027.
Nominations open September 1. Start thinking about the individuals or groups in your life who exemplify bridge-building, respect, and compassion—and get ready to nominate them this fall.
OneJax is expanding its interfaith advocacy efforts through the Vote 411 initiative, rooted in the belief—shared by our partners at Interfaith Alliance—that voting is a sacred right. This effort reflects our ongoing commitment to civic engagement as a core pillar of our interfaith work, alongside education and service.
Over the next few months, we will collaborate with faith communities and local civic organizations to distribute more than 1,000 “The Vote is Sacred” postcards. Adapted from national materials from Interfaith Alliance and The League of Women Voters, these resources are designed to provide trusted, nonpartisan information while reinforcing local credibility. Led by our Director of Interfaith and Cultural Programs, Rev. Rebekah McLeod Hutto, and our Interfaith partners, we will begin distributing these cards to our faith communities and trusted civic organizations focused on voter education and registration. Reach out to Rebekah if you want more information, rebekah@onejax.org.
A special evening featuring a performance of When the Rabbis Came to Town, followed by a live conversation with Rabbi Allen Secher.
When The Rabbis Came To Town is a compelling one-man play by Roger Rapoport, starring actor Adam Bell. The performance chronicles the true story of Rabbi Allen Secher and 15 colleagues who were arrested in St. Augustine, Florida, in June 1964 while protesting racial segregation alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event led to the largest arrest of rabbis in American history and became a pivotal moment in the fight for the Civil Rights Act.
After the performance, Rabbi Secher will join First Coast Connect host Anne Schindler for an intimate conversation, sharing insights and reflections on the themes explored in the piece and taking questions from the audience. This is a rare opportunity to dive deeper into the ideas behind the performance directly with Rabbi Secher.
6:30 PM – House Opens 7:00 PM – Performance Begins 8:00 PM – Conversation with Rabbi Secher
The Unity Football Classic celebrates HBCU heritage through sports, music, faith, and community. Hosted in Jacksonville, Florida, the Classic brings together institutions, alumni, students, families, and supporters to honor legacy, promote unity, and raise scholarship support for students at participating HBCUs.
Bring in the new year and celebrate the sweetness of Rosh Hashanah by learning about honey from a local beekeeper. This family program will feature a tasting and holiday craft.
The 904 Day Breakfast is an annual celebration of Jacksonville’s culture, people, leadership, and community pride. Hosted by LIFT JAX and VyStar, this special morning brings together leaders across sectors to celebrate the city we love, strengthen connection, and create a shared moment of alignment for Jacksonville’s future.
At OneJax, we are grateful for your continued engagement and the role you play in building a more connected community. We want to ensure that the information you receive from us is meaningful, relevant, and aligned with your interests.
To help us be more intentional in our communications, we invite you to update your email preferences at any time. By sharing what matters most to you, you enable us to deliver updates, programs, and opportunities that best reflect your priorities.
Do you have a community event you’d like to share, or are you interested in partnering with OneJax? We’ve launched a new Event Submission Portal on our website to make it easier than ever to connect.
We encourage individuals and organizations to submit events for consideration, and to reach out if you’re interested in exploring partnership opportunities. Submit your event here.
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