On Friday, December 8, Dr. Lisa Thompson, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and outgoing president of the Black Caucus of the Academy of Homiletics (AOH) will moderate a panel and community conversation at the Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas Texas (2020 W Wheatland Rd, Dallas, TX 75232). The event will conclude with a Worship Service with Rev. Damien Durr, Executive Pastor, Friendship West Baptist Church, preaching.

The event is free and open to the public. Details below.

Discussion Topic: The 21st century brings familiar and yet new demands that impact the daily lived experiences of Black people. This includes experiences interrelated with issues of race, economics, politics, gender, and sexuality. The question faced by many in civic, church and academic settings is “In what ways does our work attend to sustaining the lives and flourishing of Black people?” Approaches to attend to justice-making and caring for black life must be multifaceted when one considers the multifaceted aspects that impact black life today. During our time together we will seek to have dialogue across the various platforms that touch black life here and now while giving attention to that which fosters black joy and responds to black trauma. 

Panelists: Minister Danielle Ayers: Minister of Social Justice, Friendship West Baptist Church; Corporal James Allen, Retired Dallas Police Department; Brittany White, Live Free Organizer for Faith In Texas; Rev. Dr. Kenyatta Gilbert, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Howard University Divinity School

Moderator: Rev. Dr. Lisa L. Thompson, Assistant Professor of Homiletics, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York