July 19, 2022

“This Is What Democracy Looks Like: Discerning and Describing Multiracial Democracy”

Presenters

Dr. Nadia E. Brown, Professor of Government, Chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Georgetown University

Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, Founder, #UPTheVote901 and Convener, Memphis People’s Convention

Youth and Young Adults (TBA)

 Moderator

Tracy Najera, State Director, Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio

July 20, 2022

“Let America Be America Again: Why the Democratic Process Gives Us Pause”

Presenters/Panelists

Obery Hendricks, author of Christians Against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith

Other presenter(s) TBA

Moderator

TBA

July 21, 2022

“Otis’ Dream: When Hope Overcomes Voter Suppression”

Presenter

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr, Pastor Emeritus, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church

Moderator

Makayla Elon Moss, daughter of Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III and granddaughter of Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Sr.

“‘A Little Child Shall Lead Them:’ Early Childhood Development” (Tues.)

Description

In 2019, center-based childcare for an infant cost more than public college tuition in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Meanwhile, the number of children receiving publicly funded child care subsidies has decreased by more than 430,000 since 2006. Major Western faith traditions tie small children, their presence, and their nurture with hope and future of the community. According to Isaiah 11:6, a peaceable and thriving future is ushered in by a flourishing infant. In this workshop, participants will gain tools for connecting early childhood data to theological concepts to embolden their faith community’s advocacy for young children.

Presenter(s)

TBA

“A Pandemic Within a Pandemic: Raising Children and Racial Unrest” (Wed.)

Description

This workshop provides an intergenerational, trauma-informed conversation with a scholar, parents, and youth on the impact racism has on how parents raise Black and Brown children in America.

Presenters

TBA

“Arts, Culture, and Child Well-Being Theology” (Tues. and Wed.; youth track, ages 14–18)

Description

This workshop is designed to center the views and voices of youth to envision together the intersection of art, culture, and a child well-being theology. Young people ages 12 and up are welcome to come explore with us.

Facilitators

TBA

“CDF Freedom Schools^®: A Culturally Responsive Curriculum for Black and Brown Children” (Tues.)

Description

This workshop provides an overview of CDF Freedom Schools, the CDF Freedom Schools curriculum, and the program’s effectiveness with regards to literacy and culture.

Presenters

CDF Freedom Schools staff

“CDF Freedom Schools^®: Bringing the Model to Your Campus, Faith-Based Organization, or Community” (Tues.)

Description

In this workshop, participants will hear from the executive directors of CDF Freedom Schools at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, and Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Attendees will learn how to begin, plan, collaborate with, organize, and host a CDF Freedom Schools program in their communities.

Presenters

Rev. Dr. Reggie Blount, Murray H. Leiffer Associate Professor of Formation, Leadership and Culture Director, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; Dr. Virginia A. Lee, Associate Professor of Christian Education and Director of Deacon Studies, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; and Dr. Dani Parker Moore, assistant professor of Multicultural Education and director of the Schools, Education, and Society Minor, Wake Forest University, and Executive Director of the Wake Forest University Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School.

“Fulfilling the Promise of the Poor People’s Campaign: Universal Basic Income and Children’s Defense Fund” (Wed.)

Description

Join Children’s Defense Fund staff and youth leaders from across the country for a discussion on universal basic income (UBI). Participants will learn how economic justice tools like this, sometimes known as “direct transfer” or “guaranteed income,” can be used to end poverty and also support organizing efforts to end mass incarceration. Participants will also hear directly from impacted youth about their vision for UBI and the path they see for change.

Presenters

CDF staff and youth

“Healing Our Children Through Trauma-Informed Care” (Tues.)

Description

This workshop will provide an overview of child trauma, the importance of understanding how trauma impacts the lives of children, and the significance of utilizing trauma-informed care with children and youth.

Presenter

Rev. Dr. Lorena M. Parrish, Associate Professor of Urban Ministries and Director of Community Engagement Institute and Center for Public Theology, Wesley Theological Seminary

“The Black Messiah: Preaching a Radical Vision of Community” (Wed.)

Description

Drawing from his research in Reverend Albert Cleage Jr. and the Black Prophetic Tradition: A Reintroduction of The Black Messiah, Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher will explore the role of revolutionary public rhetoric for building movements for social transformation. Participants will gain insight and approaches to reclaim this tradition in their respective contexts.

Presenters

Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, Senior Pastor, Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church, Memphis, TN

“Building the Movement and Healing Our Bodies” (Tues.)

Description

Trauma and stress are embodied. Come practice movements that help to move negative energy out of your body. Participants will be engaged in a multilevel experience of liberation arts through yoga and dance. All ages welcome.

Presenters

TBA

“Continuing the Conversation” (Tues., Wed.)

Description

In these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to engage in conversation with some of the speakers from the Children’s Policy & Power plenaries in a smaller, informal, and interactive setting. This will be a time to go deeper into topics that were raised in the morning plenary session and to raise questions, relate experiences, or share thoughts that were raised by the plenary.

Presenters

Dr. Nadia E. Brown, Professor of Government, chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Georgetown University (Tues.)

Obery Hendricks, author of Christians Against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith (Wed.)

“Intergenerational Conversation on Beloved Community” (Wed.)  

Description

This workshop is an informal, intergenerational listening and learning session, where participants will imagine together what Beloved Community looks and feels like.

Facilitators

TBA

“Music for Our Movement” – Choir Rehearsal (Tues., Wed.)

Description

All are welcome to participate in the Resurrection Choir under the direction of Dr. Eli Wilson, Jr. and Dr. Tony McNeill, Proctor’s Ministers of Music, and Don Lewis, Proctor’s Organist. Rehearsals are held in the Lodge each evening. The choir sings at the evening Great Preacher Series worship and Morning Devotions. It is never too late to join in; those who are inspired by the choir on the first night can join for the next!

Presenters

Dr. Eli Wilson, Jr.; Dr. Tony McNeill, Director of Choral Activities and Chair of the Dept. of Performing Arts, Clinton College; and Don Lewis, Music in the Air Recordings

“Organizing a Children’s Sabbath^® as a Catalyst for Change” (Wed.)

Description

Learn how you can engage your congregation in the National Observance of Children’s Sabbath celebration, a nation-wide multifaith weekend of worship, education, and action to generate year-round change for children. This is an interactive workshop; participants will generate practical planning strategies and creative ideas for worship, education, outreach, and advocacy. Participants can take these back to your congregations and communities in order to engage them in the 2022 Children’s Sabbath.

Presenters

TBA

“Praying With Our Feet: A Theology of Organizing” (Tues.)

Description

This workshop will offer a theological lens for why faith-based leaders and groups should be organizing in the community.

Presenter

Rev. Dr. Teresa L. Smallwood, Esq., The James Franklin Kelly and Hope Eyster Kelly Associate Professor of Public Theology, United Lutheran Seminary

“The ‘How to’ of Registration, Education, and Mobilization” (Wed.)

Description

This workshop will give you the “how to” information you need to prepare your congregation and community for the November elections.

Presenter

Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood, Esq., The James Franklin Kelly and Hope Eyster Kelly Associate Professor of Public Theology, United Lutheran Seminary

“‘To Make a Rest of Motion:’ Safe Space for Reflections on the Day” (Tues., Wed.)

In his meditation “To Make a Rest of Motion,” Howard Thurman wrote, “It is ever a grace and a benediction to be able to come to a halt, to stop, to pause, to make a rest of motion. Thus we are privileged to turn aside from the things that occupy and preoccupy our minds in the daily round, to take a long intimate look at ourselves both in retrospect and prospect….”

Each day at CDF’s Proctor Institute, is full—full of emotions and insights, full of ideas and information, full of challenge and opportunity, community, and commitment. By afternoon, attendees have heard, seen, and felt things that touch different and deep places in the heart and mind. This workshop offers time and a safe space to “make a rest of motion” and reflect with others on what the day has stirred in you. Join Proctor’s co-chaplains-in-residence for this time of conversation and contemplation. All ages are welcome.

Facilitators

Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan Simpson, President, Auburn Theological Seminary, and Candace Simpson, Lead Writer and Curriculum Designer, Fish Sandwich Heaven