Overview

Please join the William E. Pannell Center for African American Church Studies in celebrating the life and leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. by engaging in this year's theme, Black Scholars in Post-Civil Rights Institutions.

We are honored to host several distinguished guests as we examine the persistent obstacles that scholars of color face, broadly, and Black scholars face, specifically. We welcome Rev. Dr. Sonja Dawson, pastor of New Mt. Calvary Church and civic leader, as our chapel speaker. We also welcome Dr. Stefan Bradley, professor and chair of African American Studies at Loyola Marymount University, as our guest lecturer. Dr. Bradley's book Upending the Ivory Tower will be engaged while examining cultural and historical implications for Black scholars today.

Our week-long celebration will be packed. There will be a luncheon for students who are women of color to discuss navigating educational and professional spaces as Women of Color. The Pannell Center will be partnering with Reel Spirituality and the Racial Justice Initiative to host a screening of a new documentary by Fuller student Phil Allen entitled Open Wounds. Drs. Vince Bantu and Dwight Radcliff will host an open, BYO lunch in the Garth to listen to and discuss the impact of gospel music. 

The week will conclude with our MLK Gospel Celebration, featuring music from David Daughtry and a message from Pastor Wayne Chaney.

Featuring
Rev. Sonja R. Dawson, JD
Darnise Martin, PhD
Rev. Inés Velásquez-McBryde, MDiv
Debi Yu
Stefan Bradley, PhD
Leon Harris, PhD
Kutter Callaway, PhD
Tamisha Tyler, MDiv
Phil Allen, MA
Vince Bantu, PhD
Dwight Radcliff, PhD

MLK Celebration Worship Service Featuring
Voices of Refreshing
UCSB Gospel Choir
David Daughtry
Pastor Wayne Chaney