EDS at Union NOW

In this Just Conversation with Dean Kelly Brown Doulgas speaks with Ashon Crawley, artist and author of “Blackpentecostal Breath”. They discuss the implications of recent attacks on African-American Studies courses in schools, and the recent passing of Dr. John Bracey. They talk about the role of the Black Church in addressing a variety of issues from COVID to support for the LGBTQ community.  They end by thinking about how Black writers and artists can inspire the next generation.

Join Dean Kelly Brown Douglas for a Just Conversation with Starsky Wilson, President & CEO of the Children's Defense Fund and Savannah Wood, Executive Director of AFRO Charities. Wilson and Wood are also members of EDS at Union's Expanding the Moral Imaginary Through Film cohort. In this conversation, they will discuss the attacks on critical race theory and the implications of bans on Black history and the story of race from schools. They will discuss the historical and contemporary role of the Black press and the Black church in supplementing education for young people in Black communities. Additionally, the conversation will reflect on representation today in film and popular culture and its impact on shaping racial perceptions and attitudes.

For today's Just Conversation, Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with Rev. Dr. William Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. They discuss the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 8, and the key racial and economic issues uniting poor and impacted communities across the country.

For our final General Convention Podcast, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas spoke with The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Bishop of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Bishop Rowe, who also serves as parliamentarian for the House of Bishops, reflects on The General Convention, and they discuss the ways that the Episcopal Church must respond to the threat of white nationalism in our nation. In our second interview, Dean Douglas speaks with Tim Regan from St. Paul's Place and Groundwork Kitchen. Paul's Place is a social enterprise working to strengthen individuals and families in Southwest and Groundwork Kitchen is their restaurant which has a free 12-week culinary arts program designed to train community members for careers in food service.  If you would like to make a gift to Groundwork Kitchen, please click here.

Earlier this week, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church passed Resolution A127 which calls on the Episcopal Church to create a fact-finding commission and complete an investigation of the church's ownership and operation of Episcopal-run Indigenous boarding schools. Today Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with Bishop Carol Gallagher who spoke in the House of Bishops about the importance of this resolution. For our second interview, Dean Douglas spoke with D Watkins, Editor at Large at Salon and a New York Times best-selling author. They discuss growing up in Baltimore and some of the generational hardships that young people face growing up in urban areas.

On Saturday, The House of Deputies elected Julia Ayala Harris as their new president. Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with the new Deputy-elect Harris about her new role, representation in the church, and some of her priorities for her upcoming term.  In our second interview, Dean Douglas speaks with the CEO of Thread, Sarah Hemminger. Thread supports high school students by harnessing the power of relationships to create a new social fabric of diverse individuals deeply engaged with young people facing the most significant opportunity and achievement gaps.  If you would like to make a donation to Thread, click here(https://www.thread.org/donate/). 

In today's episode, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with The Rev. RJ Powell and The Rev. Charles Graves, both members of the Church's LGBTQ+ Caucus. They discuss resolutions that will strengthen LGBTQ+ and women's justice in the church. They also talk about the Lambeth Conference and the recent murder outside the Inner Harbor. Our second interview is with Todd Cherkis from United Workers. Todd is an organizer who works with the Poor People's Campaign. He has worked on many high-profile unionization battles in Baltimore city. He shares the history on the development of Baltimore's Inner Harbor and his work to reframe the debate around development projects to center the conversation around workers' rights, wages, and fair conditions. 

In today's Just Conversation at General Convention, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas is speaking with Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, Paula E. Clark and Julie Reeder and Tori Grace from the Baltimore non-profit Youth as Resources.  Bishop-elect Clark talks about the most pressing challenges facing our nation and church today. Julie and Tori tell us about their process of empowering young people to bring about positive changes in their community.  If you'd like to make a donation to Youth As Resources, please click here - http://www.youthasresources.org/make-a-donation/ We will have daily episodes throughout the Episcopal Church General Convention. Please subscribe where ever you listen to podcasts.  

In our first Just Conversation at General Convention, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas is speaking with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Founder of Campaign Zero DeRay McKesson. Bishop Curry talks about his hopes for the Church during the General Convention, and the decision to scale back the conference due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. DeRay McKesson discusses hope and faith, what it means to show up and tell the truth in public, and his work at Campaign Zero. If you'd like to make a donation to Campaign Zero, please click here.   We will have daily episodes throughout the Episcopal Church General Convention. Please subscribe where ever you listen to podcasts.  

As the Episcopal Church heads to Baltimore for General Convention we will have new episodes of Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas each morning from July 7 through July 12. In this podcast and web series, we explore the racialized inequities intrinsic to our nation and our collective responsibility to create a more just future. Dean Douglas will speak with Church leaders about the issues being considered at GC and how we can build a more just and equitable church. But we didn't want to go to Baltimore without hearing from the people in this city. So in each episode, we will also hear from local advocates, activists, and leaders to learn more about Baltimore and hear from them what the Church should know and do in this city. You can listen to Just Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts (Spotify, Apple, Google, Stitcher, Podbean), or find the video on the EDS at Union Facebook Page, or YouTube Account. Learn More: https://utsnyc.edu/eds/general-convention/

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas hosted a panel discussing Absolom Jones, the first Black Episcopal Priest. His feast day is February 13th. Featuring- Bishop Shannon MacVean-Brown, Episcopal Diocese of Vermont; Bishop Kevin Nichols, The Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem; and Bishop Robert Wright, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. As the Episcopal Church's first African American priest, the Rev. Absalom Jones' story is one of resilience, struggle, and powerful witness. Our panel will reflect on the life of Rev. Absalom Jones and the significance of his witness for our Church and nation today. Recorded Thursday, February 10th, 2022

Dean Douglas speaks with the Rev. Sarah Monroe, priest in charge and cofounder of Chaplains on the Harbor. Chaplains on the Harbor seeks to build a freedom church of the poor by pastoring, organizing, and empowering the leadership of poor people in Grays Harbor County, in Washington State. Dean Douglas and Rev. Monroe discuss the ways that faith leaders can respond to housing insecurity, evictions, and homelessness in their communities.

On Thursday, January 6th, 2022, Dean Douglas spoke with Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, the Co-Chair Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Rev. Theoharis is also the Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice at Union. Dean Douglas and Rev. Theoharis reflected on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol and discuss the ongoing threats to our democracy. They also examine the progress and setbacks from the first twelve months of the Biden administration.   EDS at Union's Facebook Live series Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas explores the racialized inequities intrinsic to our nation and our collective responsibility to create a more just future. These 30-minute conversations featured on the EDS at Union Facebook page will invite activists and religious, political, and thought leaders to discuss their work being champions for justice. Videos are also available on the Union YouTube Page.

This conversation occurred December 6th 2021. Dean Douglas spoke with Dr. Maulana Karenga, the Creator of Kwanzaa and the author of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture. Dr. Karenga is also Professor and Chair for the Department of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Dean Douglas and Dr. Maulana Karenga discuss how Kwanzaa brings a cultural message that speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense.

Dean Douglas speaks with Bishop Yvette A. Flunder, founder of the City of Refuge United Church of Christ. In this conversation, Dean Douglas and Bishop Flunder explore the growing public debate around Critical Race Theory and the church's role in creating a more welcoming society for all people. From an FB Live conversation recorded Tuesday, September 7th, 2021.

On This episode of Just Conversations with  Kelly Brown-Douglas  she speaks with Alicia Garza, Principal at Black Futures Lab. They will discuss Garza's role as a co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter and the Black Lives Matter Global Network and her current work with the Black Futures Lab.   This conversation was recorded via Facebook Live on Monday, April 19 at 2:15 pm EST.

 On this episode of, Just Conversations, Dean Douglas speaks with Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. In this conversation, Dean Douglas will explore Dr. Bunch's former role as director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and the importance of telling an accurate and truthful account of American history. In addition, they will discuss criticisms the museum faced and some of the parallels of the criticisms that The 1619 Project has faced since its publishing.

On this Episode of Just Conversations with Kelly Brown-Douglas she speaks with  Dr. Sherry Molock, a Senior Research Fellow at The Steve Fund. They discussed how The Steve Fund collaborates with colleges and universities, non-profits, researchers, mental health experts, families, and young people to promote programs and strategies that build understanding and assistance for the mental and emotional health of the nation's young people of color. This conversation was recorded via Facebook Live Thursday, July 29 at 2:30 pm EST.

During this episode of Just conversations  with Kelly Brown-Douglas she speaks with Dr. Tia Dole, Chief Clinical Operations Officer of the Trevor Project. They discussed methods of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.   This conversation was recorded via Facebook Live Thursday, July 29 at 2:30 pm EST.

On this episode of Just Conversations, Dean Douglas speaks with Richard Rothstein, Distinguished Fellow of the Economic Policy Institute. Dean Douglas and Dr. Rothstein will discuss his book, The Color of Law, which outlines America's history of intentional, state-sanctioned segregation that produced unfair housing practices, the racial wealth gap, and continued discrimination against people of color in our nation.

On this episode of Just Conversations, Dean Douglas speaks with Justin J. Pearson, co-founder of Memphis Community Against the Pipeline. In this conversation, Dean Douglas and Pearson will explore housing segregation laws and how they have contributed to environmental racism and disproportionate health outcomes for people of color.

On this  episode  of Just Conversations With Kelly Brown Douglas Dean Douglas speaks with Dr. Brittney Cooper, Associate Professor at Rutgers University and co-editor of The Crunk Feminist Collection. They discussed the current cultural conditions in America during the age of COVID-19, confronting the system of White Supremacy in schools and church, and the role and potential impact the faith community has in this confrontation.

On Wednesday, February 24, EDS at Union hosted a virtual panel discussion that focuses on Isabel Wilkerson’s New York Times-bestseller Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Our panelists will discuss the history and themes explored by the book, and what Ms. Wilkerson describes as America’s hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings that goes beyond race, class, or other factors. Joining Dean Kelly Brown Douglas on the panel will be Dr. Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Professor of African-American Studies and Sociology and director of the African American Studies Program at Colby College, and The Rev. Dr. Joshua Samuel, Visiting Lecturer for Theology, Global Christianity, and Mission at Union Theological Seminary and the author of Untouchable Bodies, Resistance, and Liberation on a theology of liberation among Hindu and Christian Dalits. The conversation was moderated by Hope Wabuke, a poet, writer and assistant professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Wabuke was asked by NPR Books to review Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

On February 11th, 2021, Dean Douglas as she spoke with Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of the Children's Defense Funds. This interview examined how the Covid-19 pandemic has made the many challenges facing young people - from health to housing to food security - all the more daunting.   Please join us for the new EDS at Union's Facebook Live series Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas. In this upcoming series of interviews, Dean Douglas will explore the racialized inequities intrinsic to our nation and our collective responsibility to create a more just future

Please join us for the new EDS at Union's Facebook Live series Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas. In this upcoming series of interviews, Dean Douglas will explore the racialized inequities intrinsic to our nation and our collective responsibility to create a more just future. On Monday, February 15 at 1:15 pm, Dean Douglas as she spoke with Stacey L. Holman of Black Butterfly Productions. They discussed the four-hour series that Holman served the series producer and director, The Black Church: This is our Story, This is our Song. The series will premiere on Tuesday, February 16 and Wednesday, February 17 at 9:00 p.m. EST on PBS.

On Thursday, January 28 at 4:30 pm, Dean Douglas spoke with Sheena Wright, President and CEO of the United Way of New York City. They discussed The United Way's work to create long-term solutions that break the cycle of poverty and keep people on the path of self-sufficiency for generations to come. They also talked about Choose Healthy Life (https://www.choosehealthylife.org/), an initiative of Black church ministers who are working to raise awareness and educate the Black community on Covid-19 and other health disparities

In this episode of The Just Vote, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with Ari Berman, author of the award-winning book Give Us The Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America. They reflect on any issues of voter suppression and access to the ballot experienced during the November 3rd election.

For this Just Conversation, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with Zephyr Teachout. Zephyr Teachout is an author, former political candidate, and associate professor of law at Fordham University. This fall, Teachout enrolled at Union int he Master of Divinity program. In this Just Conversation, they discuss the state of our democracy and some of the constitutional challenges that lie ahead. They also look at voting rights and voter suppression in the 2020 Election, and the potential outcomes to the Trump administration's ongoing litigation efforts.

For this Just Conversation, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas will be speaking with Dr. Ben Chavis Jr. Dr. Chavis is a Union alum and the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a trade association of the more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers from around the United States. In this Just Conversation, Dean Douglas explores the realities of racialized inequities intrinsic to our nation and the role of media and churches in dealing with those inequities.

This episode was arranged to hold space for the community to process the election results, and to share directly from the administration where they see Union’s place in the world following the election. President Jones was joined by Executive Vice President Fred Davie, Dean Pamela Cooper-White, and EDS at Union Dean Kelly Brown Douglas.

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with Union's Vice President of Communications & Marketing Robin Reese, about the award-winning film Suppressed 2020: The Fight to Vote. Suppressed 2020 is a short, powerful documentary that investigates voter suppression in the 2018 mid-term elections. By revealing deeply personal accounts from voters of color from across the state of Georgia, they discover deliberate, widespread voter suppression. Dean Douglas and Robin Reese debrief the film and reflect on continued efforts to suppress the vote, specifically in communities of color, in Georgia and across the nation. To watch "Suppressions 2020: The Fight to Vote" visit https://www.bravenewfilms.org/suppressed   

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with Rev. Gregory Lewis, Founder and President of Souls to the Polls and Pastors United. They discuss his experience fighting Covid-19, Black Lives Matter, and faith leaders’ role in getting out the vote.

In this episode of The Just Vote, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. They explore voter suppression and the dangerous role of white supremacy and white nationalism in this election.

In this episode of The Just Vote, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with The Rev. Traci Blackmon. Rev. Blackmon is the Associate General Minister of Justice & Local Church Ministries for The United Church of Christ and Senior Pastor of Christ The King United Church of Christ in Florissant, MO. They discuss voter suppression issues in the upcoming election and faith leaders' role to inform their communities of the moral imperative to participate in voting.

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas was joined by Ari Berman for a lecture and conversation on Wednesday, October 14th. They discussed his book Give Us The Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America

This conversation took place on Thursday, September 3, 2020 when Dean Douglas will spoke with Robert P. Jones, CEO and Founder of the Public Religion Research Institute (PPRI).   Mr. Jones and Dean Douglas discussed PRRI’s public opinion research which illuminates America’s changing cultural, religious, and political landscape, and this conversation helps us better understand the important cultural and religious dynamics shaping American society and politics. They also discussed Jones' recently released book White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity.     Music credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohiWZiGCI8I  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdmWSAF7NQI

Mr. Robinson and Color Of Change develop innovative strategies to bring about system change in the industries that affect Black people’s lives. Dean Douglas will discuss Mr. Robinson’s leadership and the more than 7 million Color Of Change members who are building power for Black communities. The Just Vote is a series of Facebook Live conversations that will explore the issues of justice that hang in the balance in this upcoming election. Dean Kelly Brown Douglas will examine the forces attacking our access to the ballot and the importance of voter mobilization this November. These 30-minute conversations featured on the EDS at Union Facebook page will invite religious, political, and thought leaders to discuss their work on the front lines of the fight for voting rights in America.

In this Theology in the Public Square interview, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas will speak with The Rev. Canon Dr. Vicentia Kgabe, rector of College of Transfiguration in Grahamstown, South Africa. Born in Soweto, Dr Kgabe attended schools in Soweto and trained at the College of the Transfiguration. She continued her theological education at the University of Pretoria, where she obtained a Ph.D. in Practical Theology. Dean Douglas and Dr. Kgabe will discuss the increased spread of coronavirus in South Africa, which recently surpassed its 500,000 confirmed Covid-19 infection, as well the continued issue of white racism which remains a societal and an institutionalized problem in post- Apartheid South Africa. This conversation took place on Facebook Live, Wednesday, August 12, 2020.

Michael Bennett is an NFL Football player, the author of "Things That Make White People Uncomfortable", and co-host of the podcast Mouthpeace with Michael Bennett & Pele Bennett. This conversation took place on July 16, 2020.

EDs and the The Church of the Heavenly Rest cooperate a Racial Justice Pilrgimage on a semi-regular basis. Our guest is an activist by the name of Jonanne Bland. This episode was taken from the virtual Pilgrimage in June 2020.

Rev. Dr. Serene Jones is the President of Union Theological Seminary and Johnston Family Professor for Religion & Democracy. Dr. Angela D. Sims is the President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. The Rev. Dr. Emilie M. Townes is Dean of Vanderbilt University Divinity School.  

Michelle Alexander is the author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, is an Op-Ed columnist for the New York Times, and Visiting Professor of Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary.   Hip Hop Rap Instrumental (Crying Over You) by christophermorrow https://soundcloud.com/chris-morrow-3 Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2AHA5G9 Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/hiYs5z4xdBU

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas hosts a Facebook Live conversation with Bishop Mariann Budde. They explore what it means to be Church during the recent #BlackLivesMatter protests. They also talk about being a parent during these times.     Hip Hop Rap Instrumental (Crying Over You) by christophermorrow https://soundcloud.com/chris-morrow-3 Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2AHA5G9 Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/hiYs5z4xdBU

Facebook Live conversation between Dean Kelly Brown Douglas and Bishop David Bailey & Cornelia Eaton on Navajo Nation During COVID-19. Bishop David Bailey & Cornelia Eaton both serve in the Episcopal Church in Navajoland. Watch many conversations by visiting the EDS at Union Facebook page.   Hip Hop Rap Instrumental (Crying Over You) by christophermorrow https://soundcloud.com/chris-morrow-3 Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2AHA5G9 Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/hiYs5z4xdBU

Join EDS at Union on Tuesday, May 12th at 2:15 PM ET for a Facebook Live conversation between Dean Kelly Brown Douglas and Karenna Gore on COVID 19 and the Environment. Karenna Gore is the founder and director of the Center for Earth Ethics (CEE) at Union Theological Seminary. The Center for Earth Ethics bridges the worlds of religion, academia, policy and culture to discern and pursue the changes that are necessary to stop ecological destruction.   Hip Hop Rap Instrumental (Crying Over You) by christophermorrow https://soundcloud.com/chris-morrow-3 Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2AHA5G9 Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/hiYs5z4xdBU

Join EDS at Union on Thursday, May 7th at 3:15 PM ET for a Facebook Live conversation between Dean Kelly Brown Douglas and Jack Jenkins on COVID 19 and the Religious Left. Jack Jenkins is a national reporter for the Religion News Service, covering religion and politics, and is the author of the recent book, American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country.

Join EDS at Union on Wednesday, May 6th at 2:15 PM ET for a Facebook Live conversation between Dean Kelly Brown Douglas and Saru Jayaraman on COVID 19 and a Living Wage. Saru Jayaraman is the President of One Fair Wage and Co-Founder of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United).

On Friday, 4/24 at 2:15 PM ET, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas will speak with David Giffen about COVID-19's impact on NYC's homeless population. David Giffen is the Executive Director of the Coalition for the Homeless.

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with activist and author Darnell Moore on how COVID-19 is impacting US culture. Moore is the author of No Ashes in the Fire and is Director of Inclusion Strategy for Content and Marketing at Netflix.

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis on COVID-19's impact on the the Poor. Dr. Theoharis is the Co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign and the Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice.

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with Dr. Sandra Montes about the Episcopal Church's transition to virtual worship. Dr. Montes is the interim worship director at Union Theological Seminary and is the Spanish-language resource consultant at the Episcopal Church Foundation.