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I've been involved with the Joshua Project for over a decade since I first attended when getting introduced to this program prior to bringing my oldest son. Looking back that marked the beginning of what’s been the most profound period of growth and self discovery of my life. In the subsequent years both of my sons have benefited from this program and I have grown from a hesitant participant to just now putting down the role of president of the board for the last three years. My oldest son has now also joined the board and we’ve had the great joy of learning from each other as we’ve grown and grown up together. Getting my sons involved in this work has blessed us more than I could have known.

In addition to my dedication to this work supporting our young men, I am engaged in helping others find their authentic nature and purpose in life. I facilitate several men’s groups and, along with my wife, am an active part of a vibrant community of men and women elevating and healing the balance of the divine masculine and feminine in the Charlotte area.
I recently obtained my Wilderness First Responder first aid certification and lead wilderness trips for JP as well as for personal journeys of self discovery. In my “day job”, I work in technology for a financial services company where I model heart-centered leadership in the corporate world. I also teach a graduate course on "IT Ethics" part time at the University of NC in Charlotte. I am deepening my understanding of shamanistic traditions from the Amazon and also pursuing a mindfulness meditation teacher training.

I’m humbled and honored to be a part of this work. I encourage everyone who is the least bit interested to take the step and come join our circle and see what part of you may be sparked.

I was born and raised in Southern California by two Unitarian public school teachers. They encouraged me to integrate and value integrity, social consciousness, environmental awareness, racial/gender orientation/status inclusivity, and the importance of education in its varied forms.

My early adult life was spent wandering North America in a self-modified 1940 Ford gypsy truck. I have a deep interest in men’s group work, ethnobotany, origami, metal sculpture, fire keeping, storytelling, and creating private and public art.

I am enjoying a seventeen-year marriage to Justine who shares her teaching skills and mentors me in my current and third career as a high school auto shop teacher/mentor. So far, my greatest calling and joy has been fathering a bright young man named Jaden. My commitment to fully fathering him led me to The Joshua Project.

One JP retreat inspired me to become involved in this work, and I have found a home tribe with the other equally inspired men in this organization. Peace.

Na’il Diggs is a former NFL standout who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2000 in the fourth round. He played linebacker for Green Bay, Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, and San Diego Chargers for a total of 12 years.

After his career in athletics, Mr. Diggs sold his auto transport company and involved himself in the pursuit of community and business development. Na’il Diggs has served as Asset Builders’ Director of Outreach and Community Engagement. In this capacity, Mr. Diggs has assisted in coordinating Go4it! Youth Entrepreneurship Programs in Los Angeles and Charlotte. He currently serves on the Wisconsin-based CLIMB and ProSquared advisory boards. He also serves on the board of a Charlotte-based nonprofit organization, Youth Meditation.

In addition to his work with these groups, Mr. Diggs serves on the advisory board for the Earnster Empowerment app and he is an investor in several other business development funds and projects while serving as a mentor/volunteer/speaker at Junior Achievement USA.

Mr. Diggs’ passion for financial education and youth development emanates from his personal experiences growing up in South Central LA, some of which are poignantly articulated in his own words in an article entitled “Life In The NFL Doesn’t Prepare You For Life After The NFL,” which was published in Sports Illustrated’s online affiliate, the Cauldron.

Mr. Diggs studied Aviation Management during his years at The Ohio State University while obtaining his private pilot's license. During his NFL career, he completed both Wharton and Stanford University NFL Business School programs. He has two children and currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Steve Foster is a transplant to the Charlotte area as of 2002, hailing originally from the DC-Baltimore area and utterly enamored with the different pace and quality of life by comparison. Vocationally he has a technical job, having known without a doubt what he wanted his career path to be the moment he walked out the theater after seeing Tron.

Steve regularly lectures on AI, Post Quantum Cryptography, and general technology concepts as they relate to Cyber Security as well as provides volunteer panel discussions and mock interviews for students within NC Universities as a means to help prepare them for the next phase of their life. Additionally, he has over a dozen professional certifications ranging from the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), to certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Steve is a life-long learner, who alternates between books focused on knowledge and philosophy, and brain candy fantasy or sci-fi books when his brain gets too full.

His hobbies include D&D, Movies, conventions, video games and doing his best to provide his wife and two young men the best life possible (The oldest of which has completed one full cycle of Joshua Project, with the younger soon to be entering!). Other secondary hobbies include a love of forging, table-top gaming, martial arts and an intense interest in the science of nutrition.

Derrick J. Hines does not remember his home planet but has enjoyed his time on this one. His experiences in human form have landed him in many bands, dance groups, a few plays, one commercial, and as an extra on two films and one television show.

He is currently the father of a teenage son greatly benefiting from the Joshua Project. Derrick has been an active member since he and his son participated in their first King weekend almost four years ago. The Hines family believes the Joshua Project is a much-needed organization and will continue to do all they can to keep it going.

I was born and raised in Missouri near the geodesic center of the United States. In my youth, I was intrigued by the growth that starts from within but needed to be honed by interaction with life’s compassionate and selfless mentors. Whether this be growth of the mind, body, or spirit, I was eager to learn how to use these tools to navigate my world.

Having read the book ‘Blue Highways’ as a young man, I was further inspired to then travel and discover the world around me. Through these travels, I came to witness the commonalities and differences we all share. When we are able to honor both, we can become something so much greater than ourselves.

My hope as a part of this community is to become a piece of the circle that fosters this type of growth in both my son and the others that attend. I can personally attest to the transformative effects experienced by the young and elder men after attending a JP gathering. These are both amazing and humbling. Time and time again I am reminded how much our world needs this community.

I grew up on a small island on the Southern California coast where I spent most of my days exploring the natural world around me. When I was 5, my parents put me in a tiny little sailboat and pushed me off into the wind to learn to sail. My homelife was less than ideal, so the feeling I experienced on the open water was pure freedom! I had found my real home. Listening to the changes in the wind, the way the earth affected the movement of the water and how the fire of the sun felt on my bare skin. The elements were my first teachers.

When I finished high school, I moved to Northern California to study Environmental Biology. I lived where the old growth redwood forests meet the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean in a powerful and ancient dance. It made a lasting impression on me. I loved being in the presence of the wild and majestic ocean as She carved away at the cliffs, giving them beautiful new form. I think of this image often when I reflect on the way life carves each one of us. Sometimes gently and sometimes with a fierceness. But always creating more beauty. When I wasn't at the beach, I spent my time walking through the redwood forests learning about every bird, plant, insect, mushroom...all the life that existed in this incredible region.

I moved to Charlotte in 2003 and in 2009 my son Finn was born. The moment he was born I felt something new being called forth from within me. There was an instinctual "knowing" that I felt as to how to be a father, but due the lack of healthy masculine role models in my younger life it became clear that I had a lot to learn. And over some time, I was fortunate to discover the Joshua Project. My intention here is to share what I've learned along the way and be a student of this amazing group of wise elders and incredibly insightful young men.
~ Pura Vida

Philip Loydpierson is happily married to Sandy Loydpierson and, with her, the proud parent of twins, Isaac and Amelia, who are now living amazing lives out in the big world. He is also godfather to two beautiful adult men: Luke McCollum, a JP alumni, and Joshua Dulken, for whom the program was originally created and named nearly 30 years ago.

Philip works as a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice and has been counseling folks in and around Charlotte for over 40 years.

I spent the first part of my life growing up in rural Ireland, where I learned the values of hard work, integrity, and the need for community. After leaving Ireland, I spent several years living and traveling in various countries around the world learning about cultures and engaging with them. In 2005 I landed in Charlotte where I currently reside.

After my first JP, I knew this had to be part of my journey as I saw the value of healthy male connections.

When my son is of age, I hope he will join us around the fire as we as elders and community welcome him into adulthood. Aho!

Married, one daughter in college, one son in high school, and caregiver to a second young man in high school (both young men initiated in the Joshua Project program for two years.) Raised in Puerto Rico until age 10 (fluent in Spanish). Lived in NYC during adolescence. Charlotte resident since 1977. B.A. from UNCC, J.D. from Washington College of Law at American University.

Founder of a men’s group and involved in men’s work since 1989. A participant with the Joshua Project since 2012 and a board member since 2016. I am committed to helping men distinguish the (mature) masculine in its fullness as well as the (immature) “shadow” masculine and to help connect men with their (emotions) “heart.”

I've been attending The Joshua Project since 2003. I first participated in my early 30s when I was questing to better understand myself, rites of passage, and manhood. Since then, my three sons have all participated in and completed the program. I have served as a board member for 4 years.

I work in philanthropy for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as the Charlotte Program Director. I lead a program of work focused on fostering and supporting equitable resident-led development in the Historic West End district.

I'm also a professional photographer and co-published a book of photography and stories with author Valaida Fullwood titled “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists.”

I live in Charlotte with my beautiful wife Ayo, and our three sons.