Kevin Antonio Smallwood

Spiritual Life

Belonging started before I came to the Mountain. Recruitment for Sewanee felt like more than routine. Those conversations were the beginning of a relationship. The calls and emails didn’t feel like I was another number. It was like they were saying, “We welcome and invite you into this space to be part of us—but we also want to be transformed by what you have to offer, too.” I was really nervous about moving to the South, but I have felt comfortable and welcome from the moment I got here. I felt deep, internal guidance from God leading me to this place. Sewanee is committed to social justice issues, too. It’s not just talk and prayer—work is moving through hands here. One thing I love about Sewanee is that we are engaging with history diligently and lovingly. There’s healing work being done here, and I feel at home because of it.