The annual convening, which will feature dozens of workshops and plenaries, takes place July 21-24, in Clinton, Tennessee.
Media Contact: John Henry, jhenry@childrensdefense.org, CDF Media Relations Manager, 708-646-7679
CLINTON, TN—Hundreds of faith leaders and youth advocates from across the country have gathered in Clinton, Tennessee, to participate in the 2025 Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry.
The annual convening, themed “Building Beloved Community: A Place for Play & Laughter,” is being held at CDF Haley Farm, once the home of Roots author Alex Haley.
Great Preachers Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgeman of WomanPreach! Inc., Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause of Eden Theological Seminary, Rev. William H. Lamar IV of Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C., and Rev. Wesley Morris of Faith Community Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, are among this year’s featured speakers. Plenaries include discussions on Children’s Health & Healing, Education for Civic Life and Work, and Family Stability and Economic Mobility.
Journalists interested in the event are encouraged to visit our Facebook page to view highlight clips of each day’s events.
Children’s Defense Fund President & Chief Executive Officer Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson said the organization is excited to host yet another inspiring gathering where faith leaders can discuss both theology and policy.
“We have a remarkable lineup of great preachers in the same place,” Dr. Wilson said. “We come together in faith and family. As we talk about faith, the reality is that it requires us to create space to have a place where we can center down. CDF Alex Haley Farm has been that place for us. Sacred grounds for more than 30 years where we have built a movement for community, built a movement for children, and built on the spiritual foundations of our faith and so we seek to do that again, in this important time, in the context of our nation and world.