Evana Upshaw is the editorial assistant for Sojourners. Before earning her Bachelor’s in sociology from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Evana spent time as a journalism major and biblical and theological studies minor at Biola University. She was an opinions writer and editor for Biola’s student newspaper, and has written for Faithfully magazine and the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies.
She most recently earned a Master’s in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, where she specialized in topics surrounding the intersection of race and religion in the United States. Her studies and academic interests have covered white evangelicalism, white Christian nationalism, decolonization and liberation, and African American history. Throughout her studies and professional experiences, she has maintained her belief in the power of accessible education, illuminating injustice, community building, and collective resistance as powerful means to gain liberation for all oppressed peoples.
Evana dislikes being asked, “Where’s home?” The abridged version is: She was born in Chicago, raised in Minneapolis, and also holds California, Boston, Baltimore, and now Washington D.C. close to her heart. Each transition has taught her to love and be loved by many people.
When she’s not rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender or The Legend of Korra, you can probably find her goofing off with her younger brothers, maintaining her over 4-year streak on Duolingo (though she’s still unsure if this is a flex or evidence of a larger issue), dancing, reading, or eating a warm cinnamon roll.