Dear John,
The 29th annual Children’s Defense Fund Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry is only days away!
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, Dr. 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.”
You’ll hear firsthand from speakers like Rev. Courtney Pace, Ph.D., author of Freedom Faith: The Womanist Vision of Prathia Hall. Pace's biography of Hall recounts her journey from organizing with Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee to encouraging young people at Haley Farm to “stoke the fires of freedom’s faith.” Dr. Pace will speak on Hall's legacy and the critical role of African American women in the movement for child well-being.
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!
While there will be ample opportunities to listen and learn from a variety of scholars, youth, caretakers, clergy, and CDF staff, there will also be space for us to learn from each other. Within panels and workshops, there will be time built in for group conversations where participants can debrief on the day's topics together. There will also be yoga, dance, and movement workshops along with daily space for retreat and reflection.
Please take some time to review the full schedule of events for this year's Proctor Institute. Don’t miss your chance to take part in this year’s Proctor Institute. Register now!
