David Evans

David Evans is Associate Professor of history and intercultural studies and Associate Dean at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Dr. Evans is the author of Damned Whiteness: How White Christian Allies Failed the Black Freedom Movement, an unflinching history of white-led efforts at interracial organizing gone astray. His teaching and research focus on the braided identity categories of race, religion, and nation. 

In concert with his teaching and scholarship, David practices a local “eco-lutionary” lifestyle that promotes a sustainable future for the diverse people of the Shenandoah Valley Watershed. Dr. Evans has worked in a variety of social service environments: While living in Washington, DC, Dr. Evans was the Junior/Senior High Director of an out-of-school time program on Capitol Hill. Later he served as Community Development Resource coordinator with MCC East Coast. 

Dr. Evans endeavors to lead and teach from the perspectives of those who Howard Thurman identified as perpetually living with their "backs against the wall." As an administrator, Dr. Evans understands the importance of leading with empathy and contextual understanding. As a teacher, Evans aims to make invisible, unstated, power laden boundaries visible and thereby unmask their power. 

"Damned Whiteness and the Diseased Imagination." Massanutten Presbyterian Church, Penn Laird, VA, June 7, 2025. 

"Damned Whiteness: How White Christian Allies Failed the Black Freedom Movement." University of Mary Washington, February 19, 2025.

“Power to the People: The Power of Black Coalition Building.” Minority Ministries Council Conference. Goshen, IN. March 31, 2017.

“Rebirth of a White Nation.” School for Leadership Training. Eastern Mennonite Seminary, January 17-18, 2017.

“Cultural Mapping.” Campus Advisor Training. Eastern Mennonite University, August, 2017.

“Reflections on Searching for Zion” Eastern Mennonite University, January 26, 2016.

“The Future of Christianity in America: Fresh Voices.” January 13-15, 2015. Virginia Conference of the UMC, Convocation. Blackstone, VA.

“Crisis in White Leadership” Honors History, Eastern Mennonite University, November 11, 2015.

“Empathy and the White Mind.” Trauma Healing Course, EMU Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, September 24, 2015.

“Finding Christ in a ‘Colorblind Society.’” Ethics in the way of Jesus Course, Eastern Mennonite University, October 22, 2014.

Session Chair/Commentator, “An Individuals Impact: Ideas, Inventions, Identities” Eastern American Studies Association, Eastern Mennonite University March 23, 2013

“Spiritual Responses to Racial Justice.” ARISE Campus Ministry. January 26, 2021

“Real Talk.” Rise Facebook Live. February 4, 2021

“Farming for Fellowship.” Wingate University: Liceum. October 26, 2020.

“Modeling Minorities.” School for Leadership Training. Eastern Mennonite Seminary. January 16, 2019.

“Whose Agriculture is it, Anyway?” Doing Religion and Ecology in the Bible Belt: How the Cross Pollination of Religion and Ecology in a Socioeconomically Disadvantaged, Rural Town in North Carolina is Bearing Much Fruit, American Academy of Religion. Denver, CO. November 25, 2018.

“Power to the People: The Power of Black Coalition Building.” Minority Ministries Council Conference. Goshen, IN. March 31, 2017.

“Rebirth of a White Nation.” School for Leadership Training. Eastern Mennonite Seminary, January 17-18, 2017.

“Cultural Mapping.” Campus Advisor Training. Eastern Mennonite University, August, 2017.

“Reflections on Searching for Zion” Eastern Mennonite University, January 26, 2016.

“The Future of Christianity in America: Fresh Voices.” January 13-15, 2015. Virginia Conference of the UMC, Convocation. Blackstone, VA.

“University Sunday: A License to Live.” April 27, 2014. John Wesley United Methodist Church, Harrisonburg, VA.

“A Domesticated King.” January 20, 2014. Eastern Mennonite University Chapel.

“Suspicions of a Black Man.” November 22, 2013. Eastern Mennonite University Chapel.

“A Neighborhood Watch for Trayvon.” October 8, 2013. Eastern Mennonite Seminary Chapel.

“An Immigrant Mission.” July 7, 2013. Parkview Mennonite Church. Harrisonburg, VA

“A Certain Sound: Spiritual Songs and the Civil Rights Movement.” February 17, 2012. Virginia Mennonite Retirement Center, Harrisonburg, VA.

“The People in Your Neighborhood” February 10, 2012, Manor Memorial UMC, New Market, VA.

“Generation Fusion” September 30, 2012, Culpeper UMC, Culpeper, VA.

“Dealing with Diversity” October 28, 2012, Immanuel Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, VA.

Power, Systems, and Justice

African American Literature

Faith-Based Social Transformations

Critical Questions in Antiracism

Faculty Scholarship Committee, 2020-21

Seminary Admissions Committee, 2019-2021

Seminary Community Concerns, 2017-19

Creation Care Committee, 2017-19

Seminary Admissions Committee, 2016-17

Seminary Cares Committee, 2016-17

Strategic Planning Task Force, 2015-16

President’s Cabinet Faculty Rep, 2015-16

Faculty Senate Vice President, 2015-16

Faculty Senate, 2014-16

Intellectual Life Committee, 2014-16

EMU Strategic Plan Task Force, 2014

Climate Action Plan Committee, 2014

2014 C. Henry Smith Oratorical Contest judge.

Christian Formation Faculty Search Committee, 2013-14

Martin Luther King Planning Committee, 2013-14

Seminary Admissions Committee, 2013-14

Seminary Academic Committee, 2013-14

Master of Arts in Counseling 3-year Faculty Review Committee Fall 2013

Old Testament/Hebrew Faculty Search Committee, Spring 2012-Fall 2013

Seminary Community Council, Faculty Representative, Spring 2013