John,
Building a movement for child well-being and racial justice is hard
work. It takes intentionality, persistence, faith, and community. So,
for nearly 30 years, Children's Defense Fund (CDF) has brought
together faith-based advocates and educators, organizers and leaders,
and parents and youth in intergenerational, interracial, multi-ethnic,
and ecumenical community to attend our annual Samuel DeWitt Proctor
Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry.
This year's theme, "Freedom Faith at 50," honors
CDF's 50th anniversary and celebrates the memory and ministry of
one of the establishing leaders of CDF's Black Church
Initiative, the late Rev. Dr. Prathia Hall. A fearless leader,
theologian, activist, organizer, and child defender, Hall envisioned a
community where adults embrace and prioritize America's children
and youth. CDF's Proctor Institute does just that. On the Farm
at Proctor, young people are active participants in the pursuit of
justice. Faith leaders are equipped to address children's
concerns in their communities. Dr. Hall underscored this need in her
sermon at the 1998 CDF Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry, when she
mused, "Perhaps the most difficult way for adults to receive
children is to listen to them."
On the storied grounds of CDF Haley Farm in Clinton, TN, CDF's
Proctor Institute is where we sing and pray, strategize and organize,
and congregate and advocate in our pursuit of justice for our
nation's children. We share stories of struggle and of hope, and
we learn from each other, a beloved community committed to realizing
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision for every young person and
ending child poverty.
You will be inspired by incredible speakers and preachers including
Rev. Courtney Pace, Ph.D., author of Freedom Faith: The Womanist
Vision of Prathia Hall; Dr. Patrick Reyes of the Forum for Theological
Exploration; Dr. Lorena Parrish of Wesley Theological Seminary; Rhonda
Magee, JD, author of The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing
Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness; and
many more!
In order to address the multitude of challenges facing our children
and youth today, it will take commitment, support, and action from
individuals and organizations across a variety of sectors. Though
Proctor Institute is rooted in the faith community's legacy of
engagement in civil rights organizing and collective action,
participation is not limited to attendees who identify with a
religion. It is an exciting opportunity for personal and collective
learning and growth for anyone interested in child wellbeing, racial
justice, and social justice.
Join us this year for our 29th annual Proctor Institute where we will
be led in theological, political and personal discussions as we also
celebrate CDF's 50th anniversary.
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry
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Proctor Institute will provide collective rejuvenation and realignment
so that we can steel ourselves for the continued work of building a
movement for child well-being. This will take consistent commitment,
effort, and action from us all, so register today for this event.
There are still limited spaces available for you to join us in person.
Don't wait!?
To learn more about the schedule, plenaries and workshops, and
speakers, visit our website.
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For our children,
Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson
President and CEO
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