For twenty-five years, DRUUMM has recognized extraordinary leaders whose lives and ministries have helped build the Beloved Community within Unitarian Universalism. This year, we are honored to announce that the 2026 Mel Hoover Award for Beloved Community will be presented to two beloved ministers, mentors, and longtime DRUUMM leaders: Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.
The awards will be presented during DRUUMM’s Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 7:30–9:00 PM Eastern. The ceremony will be presented by Rev. Danielle Di Bona and Mel Hoover, for whom the award is named.
RSVP at druumm.org/events.
Established twenty-five years ago, the Mel Hoover Award for Beloved Community recognizes distinguished leadership, service, and ministry that advances justice, healing, spiritual depth, and collective liberation, particularly among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities within Unitarian Universalism. Recipients are selected through a discernment process led by previous award recipients and represent some of the most influential leaders in DRUUMM’s history.
This year’s recipients embody that legacy in profound ways.
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi has spent more than three decades building bridges across cultures, faith traditions, and communities. Senior Minister of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland since 2013, he was raised in India in the Brahmo Samaj tradition, a Hindu Unitarian reform movement with deep historical ties to Unitarian Universalism. After studying physics and pursuing graduate work in quantum physics and electronics, he entered ministry and was ordained in 1998.
Abhi has served as President of the International Association for Religious Freedom, UUA Ambassador to the Unitarian Union of Northeast India and the Chennai Unitarian Church, and a leader with Religions for Peace USA and Hindus for Human Rights. A respected author, teacher, and interfaith leader, he has dedicated his ministry to compassion, justice, and beloved community.
Abhi’s relationship with DRUUMM stretches back to our founding. He was among the leaders gathered at the Los Gatos meeting that helped create DRUUMM and later hosted one of our earliest Youth and Young Adults of Color conferences. For more than twenty years, his wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped shape our community.
Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.
Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. is a minister, singer, teacher, author, mentor, and organizer whose ministry has centered on helping individuals and communities move toward healing, transformation, and beloved community. Since 2009, he has served as Senior Minister and Executive of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, leading its growth in membership, diversity, community engagement, and anti-racist ministry.
Previously, John served Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Congregation, helping it become one of the most racially and culturally diverse congregations in the denomination. Known throughout Unitarian Universalism for his preaching, music, teaching, and leadership development, he has mentored generations of ministers and leaders, served as adjunct faculty at Meadville Lombard Theological School, and provided leadership in numerous civic, interfaith, and justice organizations. Following the Capital Gazette tragedy, he helped guide community healing efforts in Annapolis.
John first became involved with DRUUMM through Youth and Young Adults of Color programming more than twenty years ago. More recently, he has served on DRUUMM’s Chaplain Team, offering spiritual care and accompaniment to members across our community.
A Legacy of Beloved Community
Together, Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and Rev. John Crestwell represent two generations of DRUUMM leadership. Abhi helped build the organization at its founding. John emerged through the leadership pathways that DRUUMM helped create. Across decades, both have strengthened congregations, nurtured leaders, advanced racial justice, and expanded the possibilities of beloved community within Unitarian Universalism.
As we celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Mel Hoover Award for Beloved Community, we are honored to recognize these two remarkable leaders whose lives remind us that beloved community is built through relationships, courage, service, and love practiced over a lifetime.
We invite friends, family, colleagues, and the wider DRUUMM community to join us for this special celebration.
2026 DRUUMM Annual Meeting & Mel Hoover Award Ceremony
Thursday, June 11, 2026
7:30–9:00 PM Eastern
Virtual via Zoom
Presented by Rev. Danielle Di Bona and Mel Hoover.
RSVP at druumm.org/events.
