The Liberating Theologies conference, presented by The Freedom Center for Social Justice, is a one-day experience exploring varying theologies with an emphasis on liberation and inclusion for the oppressed and marginalized.

North Carolina has been a political, social justice and religious battleground in the United States for decades. Regressive views on religion, the LGBTQ community and other marginalized groups have harmed many of civil rights advances. The Freedom Center for Social Justice has been working to create cultural shifts across the state of North Carolina, particularly as it relates to faith communities and inlcusion for the LGBTQ community.

We're excited to continue a partnership with Union Theological Seminary, in a shared mission of inclusion for the LGBTQ community and a call to action for religious communities to no longer cause harm through interpretations of holy text or other religious writing. There is a need in North Carolina to make a bold statement about intersectional justice; and the importance of restorative justice for those in the LGBTQ community that have been religiously ostracized.

Last year, The Freedom Center for Social Justice hosted nearly 100 attendees for our inaugural Liberating Theologies Speaker Series. 13 sponsors joined us for the series, including our core partner, Union Theological Seminary of New York's UNION of Affirming Christians. Attendees joined us from North Carolina, South Carolina, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, New York and more. Guest speakers included MacArthur Genius Fellow, Bishop William J. Barber II, Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, and Bishop Yvette Flunder.

This year's topics to be explored: Postcolonial Dimensions of Liberation and cutting-edge Emerging Theologies, all with an inclusivity framework.

FEATURED SPEAKERS: 

The Very Reverend Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas was named Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology at Union in September 2017. She also serves as the Canon Theologian at the Washington National Cathedral and Theologian in Residence at Trinity Church Wall Street. Prior to Union, Dean Douglas served as Professor of Religion at Goucher College where she held the Susan D. Morgan Professorship of Religion and is now Professor Emeritus. Before that, she was Associate Professor of Theology at Howard University School of Divinity and Assistant Professor of Religion at Edward Waters College. Ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1983, Dean Douglas holds a master’s degree in theology and a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Union. She is the author of many articles and five books, including Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist Perspective and Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God. Her academic work has focused on womanist theology, sexuality and the black church.

Dr. Kwok Pui Lan is William F. Cole Professor of Christian Theology and Spirituality emerita at Episcopal Divinity School and the 2011 President of the American Academy of Religion. She has published extensively in Asian feminist theology, biblical interpretation, and postcolonial criticism. An internationally known theologian, Kwok’s publications include Occupy Religion (with Joerg Rieger); Globalization, Gender, and Peacebuilding; Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology; and Introducing Asian Feminist Theology. She is the editor of Women and Christianity (4 vols) and coeditor of Postcolonial Practice of Ministry: Leadership, Liturgy, and Interfaith Engagement.

Reverend Dr. Marsha Foster Boyd is President Emerita of Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. She achieved this milestone upon her retirement from the Presidency in 2013, after 7 years of distinguished service. Prior to her Presidency, she was Director of Accreditation and Leadership Education at The Association of Theological Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Associate Professor of Pastoral Care & Counseling at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio; and Academic Dean at Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. In each of these positions, Dr. Boyd was the first African American woman to serve. Dr. Boyd retired as an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church after 40 years of service. She is now a proud member of City of Refuge United Church of Christ in Oakland, California, where Bishop Yvette Flunder serves as pastor. Dr. Boyd is Founder and Chief Catalyst of Catalyst Connections Global LLC, a consulting and coaching firm, specializing in higher education consulting and in empowering global communities through leadership development, training, and coaching services. She provides personal coaching for senior administrators and leadership teams and professional facilitation for meetings, conferences and retreats. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pacific School of Religion, the Board of Directors of the In Trust Center for Theological Schools, and Board Chair of the Marcus Foster Education Institute, named for her late father.

FAQs

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
No, we welcome guests of all ages. No childcare provided.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
There is free parking on site. The museum parking lot contains ample parking spaces for cars and buses. Please visit this page for more information on getting to the McColl Center for Art + Innovation. 

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please email the Freedom Center for Social Justice at [email protected].

What's the refund policy?
Attendees can receive refunds up to 7 days before the event.

Will there be gender-neutral restrooms? 
Yes! 

Accessibility Information:
The McColl Center for Art + Innovation is wheelchair accessible, and ADA approved. We will not have interpretation or translation services available.