Joe Tolbert Jr. (he/him) is an organizer, executive, minister and cultural strategist at the intersection of art, spirituality and social justice. He is the executive director of Waymakers Collective, where he leads efforts to empower communities through art and participatory grantmaking. A native of Knoxville, Joe’s work reflects a commitment to uplifting Black voices in Appalachia and to represent a wider understanding of what it means to be Appalachian - or “Affrilachian.” Joe holds degrees from the University of Tennessee and Union Theological Seminary and is a member of Knoxville's Public Art Committee.