Who Is Ryan Cagle?

Ryan Cagle is a proud native of Walker County, Alabama, and a passionate advocate for the people in his community. At 34 years old, Ryan is a soon to be ordained minister in the Disciple's of Christ (Christian Church), harm reductionist, and dedicated community organizer committed to fighting for his home to be a place of healing, and hope. As a minister, Ryan has served in various church contexts over a decade and now co-leads a ministry called Jubilee House Community with his wife Jordan. Along with working multiple jobs to care for his family, Ryan is currently finishing up two Masters Degrees at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, and will be graduating this Spring.

Ryan’s approach to social change is deeply rooted in his faith as a Christian, and his belief that local communities can solve their own problems when we realize what we have in common is far more important than what we don't. Ryan has worked on a range of community initiatives that seek to address issues such as food insecurity, systemic poverty, and the opioid crisis in Walker County, and has become a fierce advocate in the face of injustice. As co-founder of Jubilee House Community, Ryan’s work is grounded in the belief that a different Alabama is possible if we can learn to truly love and care for our neighbors, even the ones we disagree with. One of his most personal projects Ryan has been a part of is the creation Project HERO, an initiative that provides 24/7 free Narcan across three location in Walker County. This project is the first of its kind in Alabama, and has distributed thousands of doses of life saving medication right into the heart of the epicenter of our states opioid epidemic.

Ryan's vision for a better future in Alabama includes creating local systems of economic and social transformation that empower working people, protects the vulnerable, and strengthens our communities. He’s determined to keep hope alive by keeping people alive, and his approach to politics is driven by a deep commitment to justice, accountability, and the fight for dignity of all people.

Ryan believes in a people first approach: People over party, people over profits, and people over politics, and is convinced we must work together to build a different Alabama by refusing to let the rich and powerful keep us divided.

When he’s not engaged in community work, standing up to local corruption, or nose deep in academic writing, Ryan spends his time designing tabletop role-playing games, goofing off with his two wild children, or spending time in his home garden with his wife Jordan.

Ryan Cagle in the News

The Only Narcan Vending Machine in Alabama - The OXford American

Father and husband looks to combat poverty in hometown of Parrish - ABC 33/40

Cagle 'literally begging' commission for action on unit - The Daily Mountain Eagle

Ryan Cagle’s Ministry Leads through Social Transformation & Eco-Justice - UTS

Ryan Cagle Alabama District 5 Democratic Nominee - WJLX Radio

Beyond the Headlines: What’s happened since the death of Anthony ‘Tony’ Mitchell in Walker County? - CBS 42