Faith in America is a new series of public conversations hosted by Union Theological Seminary. Every month, Union’s stellar faculty is joined by renowned artists, activists, writers, politicians, journalists, academics and faith leaders for stimulating lectures and panel discussions focusing on faith and social justice in the national arena.
Topics are wide-reaching and include identity politics and socio-economic inequality, mass incarceration and criminal justice reform, women in leadership, first amendment rights, the psychology of group dynamics, and the longevity revolution.
UPCOMING
The 2016-2017 inaugural season of Faith in America has ended. Thank you to all who attended these events in person or tuned-in remotely via livestream. A new season is currently being planned and will likely begin in early October 2017. Please stay tuned for more information.
PAST FAITH IN AMERICA EVENTS
October 18, 2016
Invisible Woman: The Experience of Women and Girls in the Era of Mass Incarceration with Michelle Alexander
Keynote: Michelle Alexander, Visiting Professor, Union Theological Seminary & Author, ‘The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness’
with:
Susan Burton, Executive Director, A New Way of Life & Co-Founder, All of Us or None
Gina Clayton, Executive Director, Essie Justice Group
Andrea James, Founder, Families for Justice as Healing and Author, ‘Upper Bunkies Unite And Other Thoughts on the Politics of Mass Incarceration’
Teresa Younger, President and CEO, Ms. Foundation for Women
November 9, 2016
Post-Election Analysis with Bill Moyers
Keynote: Bill Moyers, Managing Editor, Moyer and Company
with:
Betty Sue Flowers, Former Director, Johnson Presidential Library & Professor of English & Honors Program Head, University of Texas at Austin
Senator Bill Bradley, Former U.S. Senator (NJ) & Democratic Candidate, 2000 U.S. Presidential Race
Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, Former US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State
Rev. Dr. Sam Cruz, Assistant Professor of Church and Society, Union Theological Seminary
Shirley Velasquez, Executive Editor, PeopleEnEspañol.com
December 7, 2016
The Aging of America: A New Workforce for Social Justice with Ruth Wooden
Keynote: Ruth Wooden, Former President, Public Agenda & M.A. Graduate, Union Theological Seminary
with:
Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist & Founder, The Conversation Project
Lester Strong, NBC Nightly News Anchor (Boston, MA) & CEO, AARP Experience Corps
January 31, 2017
Documentary Premiere: “An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story.”
Hosted by: Martin Doblmeier, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker & Director: An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story
with:
Gary Dorrien, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics, Union Theological Seminary & Professor of Religion, Columbia University
Andrew Finstuen, Dean, Boise State University Honors College
Cornel West, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Christian Practice, Union Theological Seminary
February 23, 2017
Religion & Faith in the Time of Trump: An ACLU Perspective with Anthony Romero
Keynote: Anthony Romero, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President & Johnston Family Professor for Religion and Democracy, Union Theological Seminary
with:
Gary Dorrien, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics, Union Theological Seminary & Professor of Religion, Columbia University
Jerusha T. Lamptey, Assistant Professor of Islam and Ministry & Islam, Social Justice and Interreligious Engagement Program Advisor, Union Theological Seminary
Wesley Morris, Community Organizer & Master of Divinity Candidate, Union Theological Seminary
March 21, 2017
Society’s Hidden Psychological Forces with Frances Unsell
Moderator: Frances Unsell ’78, Founder & President, The Development Center and Union ’78
with:
Dr. Victoria Barnett, Director of the Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Rev. Amy B. Gregory ’96, Pastor, First United Methodist Church (Greene, NY) & Construction Team Leader,
Alex Patchin McNeill, Executive Director, More Light Presbyterians
Dr. Mary McRae, Author, Group Relations Consultant and Associate Professor, New York University, Department of Applied Psychology
April 5, 2017
The Role of Women in Democratic Governance with Leymah Gbowee
Moderator: Dr. Lisa L. Thompson, Assistant Professor of Homiletics, Union Theological Seminary
with:
Leymah Gbowee, Founder and President, Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa
Tanya Henderson, Founder and Executive Director, Mina’s List
Mikaela Luttrell-Rowland, Associate Director, Women, Peace, and Security Program, Earth Institute, Columbia University
Tamika Mallory, National Co-Chair, Women’s March
Jamia Wilson, Executive Director, Women, Action, and the Media (WAM!)
April 20, 2017
In Search of a Moral Revolution of Values with Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II
Visiting Professor of Public Theology and Activism, Union Theological Seminary