Faith Matters Network proudly presented the third annual Womanist Wisdom series live from Nashville, TN, during our 10th anniversary celebration in August 2024. Our theme focused on Spiritual Innovation— our newest program area that supports and amplifies the voices of Black women, non-binary people, and women of color who are seeking to answer the question “what’s next?” in spirituality and faith. These leaders carry a legacy rooted in community, lineage, and pioneering spirit, continually forging new paths in spirituality. Black women and BIPOC spiritual leaders have always offered innovative spiritual leadership in healing themselves and their communities, yet many have not been recognized, compensated, or celebrated for their work. The event featured five dynamic speakers who offered fresh perspectives on faith, identity, and justice during our in-person TED-style sessions. We invite you to access the recordings of these insightful sessions and immerse yourself in the wisdom shared.
Featured Speakers
Yolanda Pierce, PhD Dean and Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair & Professor of Religion and Literature, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Talk Title: Ordinary Stories, Extraordinary Witness
Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes Co-Founder and Lead Pastor, The Double Love Experience Church, Brooklyn, NY
Talk Title: In(ner)vation: Unlocking Womanist Knowing to Prepare the Way for Fearless Trying
Amber Starks (Melanin Mvskoke) Afro-Indigenous Advocate, Organizer, Cultural Critic, and Decolonial Theorist
Talk Title: Let Us Meet on the Land: On Actualizing Black and Indigenous Futurity
D. Danyelle Thomas Founder, Unfit Christian | Black Faith & Spirituality Speaker, Public Theologian, and Activist
Talk Title: Who Are We Calling Down?
Beulah Osueke Coach, Strategist, and Executive Director, New Voices for Reproductive Justice
Talk Title: Justice is Inherently Queer: Building the Worlds We Desire and Deserve
