University of San Francisco to Host ‘Black Theologies of Liberation & Racial Justice’ February 7-9

Event will reflect on the future of religious resistance to racial oppression

SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 31, 2019) -- The University of San Francisco (USF) Department of Theology & Religious Studies will host “Black Theologies of Liberation & Racial Justice: In Memoriam, James H. Cone and Katie G. Cannon” from Thursday, February 7 through Saturday, February 9 on the USF main campus.

This three day-long meeting will bring together leading voices in Black Theology, Catholic and Protestant, as well as conversation partners in adjacent theological fields, and community activists from around the Bay Area. It will also assess a new generation of social movements — womanist/feminist, queer-positive, anti-racist, anti-capitalist — in light of Black U.S., African, and Afro-diaspora theology.

James H. Cone was an American theologian, best known for his advocacy of black theology and black liberation theology. His 1969 book Black Theology and Black Power provided a new way to comprehensively define the distinctiveness of theology in the black church. Katie Geneva Cannon was the first African-American woman ordained in the United Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and her work focused on the areas of Christian ethics, womanist theology, and women in religion and society. She lectured nationally on theological and ethical topics and was the author and editor of numerous articles and seven books including Katie’s Canon: Womanism and the Soul of the Black Community and Black Womanist Ethics.

Speakers will include

Thursday, February 7- USF Campus, McLaren Complex, Room 25

  • Dr. Bryan Massingale, Professor of Theology, James and Nancy Buckman Chair in Applied Christian Ethics, Fordham University

Friday, February 8 - USF Campus, Xavier Auditorium, Fromm Hall

  • Dr. Karen Baker-Fletcher, Professor of Systematic Theology, Southern Methodist University
  • Dr. Stan Chu Ilo, Professor of Theology, DePaul University
  • Shamann Walton, City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors, District 10
  • Dr. M. Shawn Copeland, Professor of Theology, Boston College
  • Dr. Teresia Hinga, Associate Professor, Santa Clara University
  • Dr. Susan Abraham, Professor of Theology and Postcolonial Cultures, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Pacific School of Religion
  • Dr. Simon Aihiokhai, Assistant Professor of Theology, University of Portland

Saturday, February 9 - USF Campus, Handlery Room, Lone Mountain

  • Dr. Amos C. Brown, Pastor at Third Baptist Church San Francisco, President of NAACP Branch in San Francisco, California
  • Rev. Dr. George Cummings, Professor, American Baptist Seminary of the West, Founding Pastor, Imani Community Church in Oakland
  • Dr. Edward P. Antonio
  • Dr. Stan Chu Ilo, Professor of Theology, DePaul University
  • Shamann Walton, City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors, District 10
  • Dr. M. Shawn Copeland, Professor of Theology, Boston College

Event Details

February 7, 2019 3:00 PM - February 9, 2019 2:00 PM
University of San Francisco 2130 Fulton St. San Francisco, CA 94117

Register Online

Journalists interested in covering the event should contact Kellie Samson at (415) 422-2697 or ksamson@usfca.edu

About the University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the world’s most innovative and diverse cities and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes, and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Francisco’s first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a student’s passion for social justice and a desire to “Change the World From Here.” For more information, visit USF Home Page