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    American Baptist College Names Vahisha Hasan Director of Social Justice, Equity, Initiatives

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    Rev. Vahisha Hasan has been named director of the SEAL Initiatives at American Baptist College.

    Nashville, TN–Rev. Vahisha Hasan has been named director of the SEAL Initiatives at American Baptist College. Rev. Hasan recently served as Department Chair of Applied Psychology at Memphis College of Urban and Theological Studies. This national leader in social justice works to create space and place for liberatory pathways and brings an authentic connection to community and clear vision to the issues of our time.


    The SEAL Initiatives (Social Justice, Equity, Advocacy and Leadership) are designed to infuse the perspectives of SEAL within the institution, and in every class and program offered at ABC. The
    initiatives are established to attract, educate, and develop the next generation of community leaders. These initiatives link undergraduate coursework with secondary school enrichments
    and civic education for youth from all neighborhoods, especially those that are resilient despite being under-resourced. Ultimately, SEAL will assist in matriculating students who are advocates
    of social change with a firm understanding of social justice across academic disciplines.

    “We are pleased to have Rev. Hasan join us at ABC as the founding director of this significant program. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to further advance the institution
    from its theological foundation to 21st century activities that speak to our causes, platforms and human development.,” said Dr. Forrest Harris, president of ABC.

    Rev. Hasan is a faith-rooted organizer moving at the intersections of faith, social justice, and mental health. She is a powerful public speaker, transformative facilitator, social justice trainer,
    minister, and writer with a deeply prophetic voice and imagination for how faith communities can be an active part of healing and collective liberation.

    Vice President for Institutional Strategy and Academics explained, “The wealth of knowledge and skill Rev. Hasan brings to this position will continue to place ABC in the forefront of issues
    of social justice. She is a highly regarded expert in working with communities, organizations and individuals in bringing root clarity of a valued sense of self.”

    This dynamic leader founded Movement in Faith, a project of Transform Network, and is a core team member of TRACC4Movements (Trauma Response and Crisis Care) providing supportive
    tools for wellness for those who labor in freedom and liberation. She also serves as an associate minister at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, in Memphis TN under Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart, Senior Pastor, where she was licensed and ordained June 23, 2019.

    “It is my honor to serve the students at American Baptist College by developing programs within the institution, curriculum, and community that both embody and engage the principles
    of social justice we seek in the world. Our students are already agents of change. Journeying with them is the gift.” said Rev. Hasan.

    The SEAL Initiatives use an interdisciplinary and justice lens approach to weave applied scholarship, biblical liberation ethics and theology to achieve justice outcomes for the well-being of oppressed communities.
    “The goal of SEAL is to teach individuals how to become advocates for justice in society through collaborative leadership and civic learning and social justice projects,” said Vice President Hildreth. Individuals such as the late Congressman John Lewis and Rev. C. T. Vivian and other Civil Rights icons from ABC, contemporaries such as Rev. Tex Thomas, pastor emeritus of Jefferson Street Baptist Church, Rev. Davie Tucker of Beech Creek Baptist Church, Rev. Cora Alston, pastor of Faith Church, Inc., as well as Tremaine Sales, Rev. Temeka Robertson, Rahim Buford and Cyrus Wilson, are all examples of the embodiment of SEAL. “We are grateful for and inspired by those who have long labored before us and we continue along the paths they pave.” said Rev. Hasan.
    This tireless professional holds a dual Master’s of Divinity and Master’s of Mental Health Counseling with an Education Specialist Certification from Gardner-Webb University and a
    bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Interpersonal Organization from     The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
    In addition to penning book reviews, journal articles, online publications, and writing a bachelor’s curriculum in Applied Psychology, she has curated and co-edited three editions of
    Resipiscence: A Lenten Devotional for Dismantling White Supremacy, 2018-2020.
    To learn more about the ABC SEAL Initiatives or Rev. Hasan, email vhasan@abcnash.edu. For more information about American Baptist College, contact Andre’ Trice at
    atrice@abcnash.edu.
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