On Nov. 16, Mainstream Civic Engagement, the nonpartisan charitable affiliate of Mainstream Coalition, will honor long-time advocacy partner Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) and its executive director, Rabbi Moti Rieber, at its annual Stand Up, Speak Out Awards Brunch.
“I'm truly honored to receive this award from Mainstream. Faith-based advocacy is challenging in the best of times, and these are not the best of times,” said Rabbi Rieber. “Of course, one doesn't do this work for awards, but receiving this honor from our long-term partners at Mainstream is a welcome recognition and validation of KIFA's work.”
For more than 30 years, Mainstream has worked to bring together community leaders ranging from elected officials to grassroots advocates to celebrate the power of civic engagement in protecting church-state separation. Founders included Dr. Robert H. Meneilly, David Goldstein, Hellman, Carol Sader, Nancy Brown and Rabbi Mark Levin.
The Robert H. Meneilly Stand Up, Speak Out Award recognizes individuals and organizations who exemplify the core values that inform Mainstream’s mission — respect for civil rights, courage to stand against extremism and the belief that change begins when we raise our voices for justice and equality.
“Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) is a powerful force in the statehouse — putting fatih into action on a range of issues that impact Kansans, including Medicaid expansion, protecting voting rights and advancing environmental justice,” said Michael Poppa, Mainstream executive director. “Rabbi Moti and KIFA advocates are a strong voice in both the statehouse and our local communities. Mainstream is proud to stand alongside them as partners and friends.”
Past honorees include Reverend Cheryl Jefferson Bell, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Secretary (Governor) Kathleen Sebelius, Thomas Witt of Equality Kansas, Game On for Kansas Schools, Kansans for Fair Courts and the League of Women Voters of Kansas.
The keynote speaker for the Awards Brunch will be Aaron Scott, a leader with the Poor People's Campaign, a second-generation preacher, third-generation organizer and co-founder of Chaplains on the Harbor. A church worker and organizer, he is a trans father and a Christian who grew up in poverty. He has watched loved ones and peers get recruited into White Christian nationalism. In his book published in 2025, “Bring Back Your People: Ten Ways Regular Folks Can Put A Dent in White Christian Nationalism,” he shares strategies of relationship and conversation for those who don't know how to address it.
This year’s awards brunch will conclude Mainstream’s weekend of action, United We Stand: Confronting Christian Nationalism at Home. From Nov 14 through 16, Mainstream will host three separate events for people interested in learning more about the rise of religious extremism and threats against church-state separation:
Friday, Nov. 14 – “Bad Faith” documentary screening at 7 p.m. at Glenwood Arts Theatre.
Saturday, Nov. 15 – “The Summit on Confronting Christian Nationalism,” 8:30 a.m. at Powell Community Center.
Sunday, Nov. 16 – Stand Up, Speak Out Awards Brunch featuring Author Aaron Scott and honoring Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) and Rabbi Moti Rieber, 11 a.m. at Milburn Country Club.
More information is available at mainstreamcoalition.org.
