Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)-The Transformative Global Leadership Conference, presented by Africa University, American Baptist College, the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies at Vanderbilt University, and Scarritt Bennett Center, will take place from September 5-7 at the historic Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville. This hybrid event allows attendees to participate either in person or virtually.
The Rev. Sondrea Tolbert, executive director of Scarritt Bennett Center, expressed excitement about the conference, stating, “We are excited to champion this conference as it directly aligns with the mission of Scarritt Bennett, and comes during the time of our centennial celebration of impact in Nashville. Attendees will be empowered through the robust program of topics, issues, and solutions, rooted in the unparalleled experiences of people within the African diaspora.”
The conference theme, “The Cross of The Diaspora: Shouldering the Charge to Lead in Faith and Justice,” is designed for Christian leaders, cultural critics, justice advocates, students, and people of faith within the African diaspora. Participants will engage with speakers and sessions that address challenges across culture, faith, and justice, and will learn tools to activate solutions for both local and global communities.
Mr. James H. Salley, president and CEO of Africa University, Inc., noted the significance of the event, saying, “We are overjoyed to be a part of a diasporic event that has evolved from Africa University’s 2021 Good Friday conversation, Walking While Black, which drew important and enlightening parallels between the intersection of Blackness and authority for Simon of Cyrene, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor. Together, our institutions aim to bring knowledge and understanding, provide resources and international perspectives to explore and enhance capacity to continue to drive much-needed change.”
Dr. Forrest E. Harris, president of American Baptist College and director of the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School, described the conference as “a unique opportunity for individuals and higher education institutions devoted to social justice and transformative leadership to come together, share insights, and chart a course towards positive change.”
The conference will feature keynote speaker Dr. Shingai Mutasa, along with other prominent figures such as Dr. Michael Ugwueke from LeBonheur Hospital in Memphis, the Rev. Dr. Melanie Jones Quarles of the Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership, Marshall Crawford from The Housing Fund, the Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood from United Lutheran Seminary, and many other local and nationally recognized change-makers of faith.
Attendees will have the chance to participate in thought-provoking discussions, share innovative ideas, and collaborate on strategies to address the challenges and opportunities of global leadership in the digital age. Through interactive workshops and panel sessions, they will gain valuable insights into harnessing technology for social change and fostering inclusive leadership practices across diverse sectors.
Conference facilitators aim to co-create a world of equity where Black people across the diaspora lead and excel in transformative justice within the church and society. The vision for this event is to inspire Christian leaders across the diaspora to form new partnerships and programs for ethical, long-term, strategic, and global impact. This hybrid experience will encourage participants to embrace Black excellence and Black leadership as depicted in the Bible.
For more information and to register, visit https://scarrittbennett.org/tglc/.
