Marble Church Anti-Racism Programs
Racial Justice Series: Making Space on the Great White Way
An Homage to Black Trailblazers of Theater and Performance
Sunday, February 19, 2023
American Musical Theater owes a debt to actors, composers, and playwrights of the Black diaspora who have influenced its style and aesthetic at every stage of its evolution. Yet, Black performers were not given serious opportunities on America’s premier stage until 1917, though many of them were well-known across the country. At this Racial Justice event, through dialogue and performance, we pay tribute to Black trailblazers who have opened doors for multiple generations of Black talent. Our special guests include Natasha Yvette Williams (Some Like It Hot), Q. Smith (Come From Away), Will Mann (National Touring Cast of Hadestown), and Eric Lockley (The Inheritance).
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Racial Justice Series: Justice and the Church
Women Organizers and the Social Gospel
Sunday, January 15, 2023
What do Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), Ella Jo Baker (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee), Rev. Reverdy Cassius Ransom (Institutional Church), and Harriet Tubman have in common? Over the course of their lives, through their involvement in Christian congregations, they pioneered paradigms of ministry that were rich in social action. In this talk, we will explore opportunities for the 21st-century church to become meaningfully involved in causes for social action. Our guest speakers are Rev. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond, President of New York Theological Seminary, and Rev. Kaji Douša, Senior Pastor, Park Avenue Christian Church.
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Racial Justice Series: I Am What I Am
Queer, Questioning, & Christian
Thursday, December 1, 2022
This discussion will focus on the stigma that follows people of all generations living with HIV/AIDS and will be a celebration of queer resilience. We will also center “Imago Dei” as it has been explained by Queer and Disabled theologians who tell us that despite the experiences of sociopolitical marginalization, all people are created in God’s image. To honor all the lives lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. With special guests Michael Roberson, Adjunct Professor, The New School & Union Theological Seminary; Shawn Torres-Anderson, Associate Pastor of Operations, Bethany Baptist Church; and Sonya Shields, Social Justice & LGBTQ Activist.
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Racial Justice Series Talk Back
Sunday, May 22, 2022
In this conversation, hear ways we can be part of the solution and see advocacy and engagement as part of our call to be disciples of Christ at work in the world. With special guest Dr. Tara Hyun Kyung Chung, Associate Professor, Ecumenical Studies at Union Theological Seminary.
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Racial Justice Series: “In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens”
Lessons from Womanists to Build a More Inclusive Church
Sunday, March 17, 2022
In this talk, we will discuss why a church that is sensitive to the idiosyncratic needs of minority womxn is a better church for all people. Our special guests include Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman (Associate Professor, Theology and African-American Religion at Yale Divinity School) and Dr. Amey Victoria Adkins-Jones (Assistant Professor, Theology and African Diaspora Studies at Boston College).
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Racial Justice Series: To Set the Church Free
Black & Latin Liberation Theologies
Sunday, February 20, 2022
Do Black Lives Matter to God? Do the lives of people for whom English is a second language matter to God? Do the lives of people living in poverty matter to God?
In this talk, we will talk about the continued relevance of the work of Black and Latin liberation theologians; whose approaches to ministry begin with oppressed people as the starting point. Our special guests include Rev. Timothy Adkins-Jones, Ph.D. (Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church), Dr. Jorge Juan Rodríguez (Associate Director, Strategic Programming at the Hispanic Summer Program), and Dr. Amey Victoria Adkins-Jones (Assistant Professor, Theology and African Diaspora Studies at Boston College).
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Racial Justice Series: Justice and the Church
Rediscovering the Social Gospel for Ministry in the 21st Century
Sunday, January 16, 2022
In this event, we will honor the legacies of Dr. King, Jr. and other pioneers of the Black Freedom Movement. We will discuss the paradigms of ministry that they exemplified; ministry rich in social action.
Our special guests will include Pastor Willie Francois, III (President, The Black Church Center for Justice and Equality), Rev. Raschaad Hoggard (Associate Minister, Abyssinian Baptist Church), and Dr. Donald Garner (Young Adult Co-Pastor, Greater Allen AME Church).
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Racial Justice Series: Paris is Still Burning
Ballroom Culture and the Re-making of Queer Families - Online
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Marginalized by anti-Black racism, police harassment, and the homophobia of religious/socially conservative households, Black, Brown, and Caribbean queer folk created Ballroom as a response to social ostracism and rising LGBTQIA homelessness.
The young people who brought ballroom to life were gay, trans, and gender-queer Black, Brown, and Caribbean young people; many of whom had been ostracized from their biological families for refusing to conform to society’s rules about gender.
In this talk we will explore the intersection of Black and/or Brown and/or queer identities; discussing also barriers that persist impeding full inclusion to family, faith communities, and society for queer people.
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Racial Justice Series: Illegals & Aliens
Understanding the Impact of Racism on Immigration Policy - Online
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Race is a social construct. It is neither determined by science nor biology. As such, the boundaries of who is “White” or “Black” (and/or who is accepted or ostracized) are constantly in flux. Race, country of origin, and religion can have huge implications on how Americans accept those they perceive as “different.” In this talk, we will explore the impact of racist immigration policy on Latinx and Muslim communities. Our special guests will be Rev. Dr. Damaris D. Whittaker, Senior Minister, Fort Washington Collegiate Church, and Minister Luc Severe, a lawyer, a student at Union Theological Seminary, an advocate for economic justice, and a minister at Double Love Church in Brooklyn, NY.
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Racial Justice Series: Voting Rights - Online
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Dr. Michael Bos and Rev. Rashad McPherson with returning guest Jessica Huseman, reporter, and CNN analyst, to learn more about voting rights in America and why this issue is of great importance today.
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Monthly Racial Justice Series: Racism and the Latinx Community - Online
Thursday, June 3, 2021
The Latinx community is the largest minority group in the United States, yet many of us know little about how racism is impacting this community. We’ll learn more about the Latinx experience in America and what we can do to advocate for equity and equality for all. Our guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Damaris Whittaker, Sr. Minister from Fort Washington Collegiate Church.
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Monthly Racial Justice Series: Racism and the Asian Community - Online
Thursday, May 6, 2021
During the pandemic we’ve seen hate crimes against Asians increase, highlighting the racism that exists toward the Asian community. We will learn about the roots of this racism and how together we can address it. Our guest panelist will be Dr. Hyun Kyung Chung, Associate Professor of Ecumenical Studies at Union Theological Seminary in NYC.
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Monthly Racial Justice Series: Environmental Justice - Online
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Our guests Shalom Kristanugraha and Rachel Skipor help us explore how we can work toward a livable climate and create an equitable, sustainable, and just world, discussing also the ways in which poorer communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change.
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Monthly Racial Justice Series: The Evolution of Voting Rights - Online
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Dr. Michael Bos and Rev. Rashad McPherson have a conversation with special guest Jessica Huseman, a reporter, and CNN analyst, who covered voting rights during the recent election. Learn more about the surprising history and current state of voting rights in America and why this issue is of great importance today.
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Black History Spotlight
February 2021
This February, celebrate African American Heritage through the lens of Gospel Music every Sunday during Worship. Led by Gospel Choir Director Rashad McPherson, experience special video presentations that include historical narration, music performances by Gospel Choir members, and images from the Marble Arts Ministry.
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Monthly Racial Justice Series: Racism and the Church - Online
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Dr. Michael Bos and Dr. Elise Brown have a conversation with special guest Dr. Nigel Pearce, Senior Minister of Grace Congregational Church, Harlem, as they discuss where the church has gone wrong and where the church has gone right in the quest for racial justice.
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A Conversation with Bevy Smith - Online
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Bevy Smith, TV and radio personality, joined Dr. Michael Bos and Rev. Brittany Juliette Hanlin in a conversation about racial injustice and overcoming the obstacles currently wounding our country. Bevy invites us along on the journey of her personal transformation to reveal we can live our best lives with honesty, joy, and no apologies.
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Talk Back on Racial Justice
Sunday, October 25, 2020
A special Talk Back on Marble, Racial Justice, and Our Future featuring Dr. Michael Bos, Rev. Susanah Wade, and Marble Board member, Ted Gregory.
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Talk Back: A Conversation About Race
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Dr. Michael Bos, Dr. Elise Brown, Rev. Brittany Juliette Hanlin, Rev. Anthony Livolsi, Rev. Rashad McPherson, and Rev. Susanah Wade as we commit to reflecting more about who we are as a church and having on-going conversations, sometimes uncomfortable ones, about how racism manifests itself with us, between us, and in our organizations.
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Talk Back: Marble Artists Respond to Race in America
Sunday, June 14, 2020
A conversation about race through the eyes, voices, and creative imagination of Marble Artists.
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Advocacy and Allyship
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
How can we support communities of color in their fight against racial injustice? Led by Dr. Michael Bos and Rev. Susanah Wade.
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