July 10, 2026 – This year’s theme, ‘BEGIN AGAIN! Roots, Sacred Rhetoric & Revolutionary Mothering,’ invites participants to reconnect with the moral traditions that prioritize the well-being of children and sustain justice.
Media Contact: John Henry, jhenry@childrensdefense.org, Media Relations Manager, 708-646-7679
CLINTON, TN–From July 13-16, the only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice, Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), will host its annual Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry at the historic Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee.
The convening, which will bring together more than 400 faith leaders and youth advocates from across the country, provides four days of inspiration, spiritual grounding, strategy, and training to strengthen the movement for children across the nation.
WHAT: Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry
WHO: 400+ Faith Leaders, Youth Advocates
WHEN: July 13-16
WHERE: Alex Haley Farm, Clinton, TN
As children and families continue to navigate challenging times brought forth by this unprecedented time in American history, the Hall-Proctor Institute provides a space for advocates to recharge and gain the practical tools and advocacy strategies necessary to champion the well-being of children in their home communities.
More Information: Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry
CDF has long understood that building a nation where all children can thrive requires the commitment and collaboration of faith leaders across beliefs and traditions. We bring those leaders together every year at Hall-Proctor to deepen that work. This year’s theme, ‘BEGIN AGAIN! Roots, Sacred Rhetoric, & Revolutionary Mothering,’ invites participants to reconnect with the moral traditions that sustain justice work and equip leaders to advocate for children in their congregations and communities.
The Institute features prominent leaders for impactful plenaries, inspiring theological conversations and workshops, organizing trainings, and relevant calls to action and resources participants can take back to their communities. It also hosts the Dale P. Andrews Freedom Seminary, providing students from renowned divinity programs across the country a week of credit-bearing, graduate-level study led by some of America’s leading theological minds.
Watch: Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry Video Recap (2025)
Finally, each evening, attendees will hear from the Institute’s Great Preachers known for translating their faith into action.
This year’s Hall-Proctor Institute Great Preachers include:
- Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, Pastor, Alfred Street Baptist Church (Alexandria, VA)
- Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Founder & Director, Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice (New York, NY)
- Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, Senior Pastor, Allen Temple Baptist Church (Oakland, CA)
- Rev. Cecil A. Duffie, Ph.D., Dean of Chapel, Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, AL)
*Journalists interested in covering the training event or arranging an interview are encouraged to contact Media Relations Manager John Henry at 708-646-7679 for more information.
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About Children’s Defense Fund
Founded in 1973, Children’s Defense Fund envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. The only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice, CDF advances the well-being of America’s most diverse generation, the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25. CDF’s grassroots movements in marginalized communities build power for child-centered public policy, informed by racial equity and the lived experience of children and youth. Its renowned CDF Freedom Schools® program is conducted in nearly 100 cities across 30 states and territories. Learn more at www.childrensdefense.org.