Just Conversations

Deputy-elect Julia Ayala Harris and Sarah Hemminger

On Saturday, The House of Deputies elected Julia Ayala Harris as their new president. Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with the new Deputy-elect Harris about her new role, representation in the church, and some of her priorities for her upcoming term. 

In our second interview, Dean Douglas speaks with the CEO of Thread, Sarah Hemminger. Thread supports high school students by harnessing the power of relationships to create a new social fabric of diverse individuals deeply engaged with young people facing the most significant opportunity and achievement gaps. 

If you would like to make a donation to Thread, click here(https://www.thread.org/donate/). 

LGBTQ+ Rights and Fair Wages

In today's episode, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas speaks with The Rev. RJ Powell and The Rev. Charles Graves, both members of the Church's LGBTQ+ Caucus. They discuss resolutions that will strengthen LGBTQ+ and women's justice in the church. They also talk about the Lambeth Conference and the recent murder outside the Inner Harbor. Our second interview is with Todd Cherkis from United Workers. Todd is an organizer who works with the Poor People's Campaign. He has worked on many high-profile unionization battles in Baltimore city. He shares the history on the development of Baltimore's Inner Harbor and his work to reframe the debate around development projects to center the conversation around workers' rights, wages, and fair conditions. 

Bishop Elect Paula Clark and Youth As Resources

In today's Just Conversation at General Convention, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas is speaking with Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, Paula E. Clark and Julie Reeder and Tori Grace from the Baltimore non-profit Youth as Resources. 

Bishop-elect Clark talks about the most pressing challenges facing our nation and church today. Julie and Tori tell us about their process of empowering young people to bring about positive changes in their community. 

If you'd like to make a donation to Youth As Resources, please click here - http://www.youthasresources.org/make-a-donation/

We will have daily episodes throughout the Episcopal Church General Convention. Please subscribe where ever you listen to podcasts.  

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and DeRay McKesson

In our first Just Conversation at General Convention, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas is speaking with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Founder of Campaign Zero DeRay McKesson. Bishop Curry talks about his hopes for the Church during the General Convention, and the decision to scale back the conference due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. DeRay McKesson discusses hope and faith, what it means to show up and tell the truth in public, and his work at Campaign Zero. If you'd like to make a donation to Campaign Zero, please click here.

 

We will have daily episodes throughout the Episcopal Church General Convention. Please subscribe where ever you listen to podcasts.  

Trailer: Just Conversations During General Convention

As the Episcopal Church heads to Baltimore for General Convention we will have new episodes of Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas each morning from July 7 through July 12. In this podcast and web series, we explore the racialized inequities intrinsic to our nation and our collective responsibility to create a more just future.

Dean Douglas will speak with Church leaders about the issues being considered at GC and how we can build a more just and equitable church. But we didn't want to go to Baltimore without hearing from the people in this city. So in each episode, we will also hear from local advocates, activists, and leaders to learn more about Baltimore and hear from them what the Church should know and do in this city.

You can listen to Just Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts (Spotify, Apple, Google, Stitcher, Podbean), or find the video on the EDS at Union Facebook Page, or YouTube Account.

Learn More: https://utsnyc.edu/eds/general-convention/

Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas | Celebrating Absolom Jones

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas hosted a panel discussing Absolom Jones, the first Black Episcopal Priest. His feast day is February 13th. Featuring- Bishop Shannon MacVean-Brown, Episcopal Diocese of Vermont; Bishop Kevin Nichols, The Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem; and Bishop Robert Wright, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.

As the Episcopal Church’s first African American priest, the Rev. Absalom Jones’ story is one of resilience, struggle, and powerful witness. Our panel will reflect on the life of Rev. Absalom Jones and the significance of his witness for our Church and nation today. Recorded Thursday, February 10th, 2022

Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas | Rev. Sarah Monroe

Dean Douglas speaks with the Rev. Sarah Monroe, priest in charge and cofounder of Chaplains on the Harbor. Chaplains on the Harbor seeks to build a freedom church of the poor by pastoring, organizing, and empowering the leadership of poor people in Grays Harbor County, in Washington State. Dean Douglas and Rev. Monroe discuss the ways that faith leaders can respond to housing insecurity, evictions, and homelessness in their communities.

Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas | Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis

On Thursday, January 6th, 2022, Dean Douglas spoke with Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, the Co-Chair Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Rev. Theoharis is also the Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice at Union. Dean Douglas and Rev. Theoharis reflected on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol and discuss the ongoing threats to our democracy. They also examine the progress and setbacks from the first twelve months of the Biden administration.

 

EDS at Union’s Facebook Live series Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas explores the racialized inequities intrinsic to our nation and our collective responsibility to create a more just future.

These 30-minute conversations featured on the EDS at Union Facebook page will invite activists and religious, political, and thought leaders to discuss their work being champions for justice. Videos are also available on the Union YouTube Page.

Just Conversations with Kelly Brown Douglas | Dr. Maulana Karenga

This conversation occurred December 6th 2021. Dean Douglas spoke with Dr. Maulana Karenga, the Creator of Kwanzaa and the author of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture. Dr. Karenga is also Professor and Chair for the Department of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Dean Douglas and Dr. Maulana Karenga discuss how Kwanzaa brings a cultural message that speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense.

Just Conversations With Kelly Brown Douglas | Bishop Yevette A. Flunder

Dean Douglas speaks with Bishop Yvette A. Flunder, founder of the City of Refuge United Church of Christ. In this conversation, Dean Douglas and Bishop Flunder explore the growing public debate around Critical Race Theory and the church's role in creating a more welcoming society for all people. From an FB Live conversation recorded Tuesday, September 7th, 2021.