Free Speech and Religion

Race and Religion: Cultivating Anti-Racist Faith Communities

July 27, 2020  • Religion & Society Program

In the protests and calls against systemic racism and anti-Blackness that have been sweeping the nation following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others, we have witnessed an unprecedented multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-partisan coalition of people showing up in solidarity and affirming that Black Lives Matter.

Addressing anti-Black racism cannot and should not be separate from the Inclusive America Project’s work promoting religious pluralism in the United States, and this moment calls on those of us who are not Black to examine the ways in which we perpetuate racism and learn the ways in which we can be advocates for anti-racism.

As part of a larger, invitation-only program on leadership in faith communities, the Inclusive America Project will host a moderated webinar open to the public, featuring leaders who have been actively engaged in anti-racism advocacy within their respective faith communities.

We hope that this conversation will serve as a launching point for viewers from all religious, racial, and political backgrounds to have open and honest conversations within their own communities. These conversations may be uncomfortable, but they are more important than ever.

Speakers:

  • Angel Alvarez-Mapp (Director of Programs & Operations, Jews of Color Field Building Initiative) 
  • Rev. April G. Johnson (Minister of Reconciliation, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)) 
  • Ven. Dr. Pannavati (Co-Founder and Co-Abbot, Embracing-Simplicity Hermitage and Heartwood Refuge)
  • Zeenat Rahman, Moderator (Director, Inclusive America Project)