About The Event
America's problem with race has deep roots, with the country's foundation tied to the near extermination of one race of people and the enslavement of another. Racism is truly our nation's original sin.
"It's time we right this unacceptable wrong," says New York Times bestselling author and leading Christian activist Jim Wallis. He will share insights from his latest book, America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America. A panel will respond to Wallis, followed by a Q&A. Come and explore this timely call for a new conversation—and action—on racism.
Fifty years ago, Wallis was driven away from his faith by a white church that considered dealing with racism to be taboo. His participation in the civil rights movement brought him back when he discovered a faith that commands racial justice. Yet as recent tragedies confirm, we continue to suffer from the legacy of racism. The old patterns of white privilege are colliding with the changing demographics of a diverse nation. The church has been slow to respond, and Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour of the week.
In America's Original Sin, Wallis offers a prophetic and deeply personal call to action in overcoming the racism so ingrained in American society. He speaks candidly to Christians—particularly white Christians—urging them to cross a new bridge toward racial justice and healing.
Whenever divided cultures and gridlocked power structures fail to end systemic sin, faith communities can help lead the way to grassroots change. Probing yet positive, biblically rooted yet highly practical, this evening will provide people of faith with an opportunity to explore how they can work together to overcome the embedded racism in America, galvanizing a movement to cross the bridge to a multiracial church and a new America.
Free and open to all. Register now!
ABOUT OUR PANEL MEMBERS
Darryl E. Owens is a former columnist and editorial writer for the Orlando Sentinel. His award-winning weekly column covered politics, education, crime and punishment, race, religion, family and social commentary. As a member of the Editorial Board, he covered many of the same issues and election politics. He joins WMFE 90.7’s Nicole Creston on Morning Edition every other Thursday to discuss issues affecting residents in Central Florida and across the state on "Darryl Owens Perspectives," and is a regular commentator on WMFE’s “Intersection” Friday News Roundtable. He now serves as Director of Communication at Beacon College in Leesburg, FL, the first accredited college to award bachelor’s degrees exclusively to students with learning disabilities, ADHD and high-functioning autistic-spectrum disorders. He is a former Cub Scout Cubmaster, an ordained deacon, married with two children, Kelli, 24, Brian, 15., and an avid bowler and jazz and blues aficionado.
Dr. Joel C. Hunter is senior pastor of Northland, A Church Distributed, a congregation of 20,000 that worships God worldwide via the Web. A respected Christian leader and bridge-builder who seeks common ground for the common good, Dr. Hunter leads efforts of racial reconciliation and ending human trafficking in his local community and beyond. He serves on the boards of the World Evangelical Alliance (600 million constituents) and the National Association of Evangelicals (30 million members), and is a spiritual advisor to President Barack Obama.
Dr. Jacinta M. Gau received her Ph.D. in criminal justice from Washington State University in 2008. She is currently an associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at UCF. Dr. Gau’s research focuses on policing, police-community relations, and race. She co-edits Race and Justice, an academic journal dedicated to research on the role of race and ethnicity in the criminal-justice system.
Rev. Dr. David D. Swanson is the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. He is also the founder and principal teacher for The Well, a national media ministry focused on presenting the gospel with fresh clarity and passion. He is the author of four books: Everlasting Life, Vital Signs: Discovering the Keys to Abundant Christian Living, Learning to Be You: How Our True Identity in Christ Sets Us Free, and The Essentials, a primer on the fundamentals of faith.
Pastor/Sergeant Cornelius Blue is the Pastor of Greater New Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church and is also a Sergeant with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and oversees the Neighborhood Services Unit. Cornelius sits on several boards and he is currently the president of the Seminole County African American Ministerial Alliance. Cornelius is a family man and believes that in order to effectively serve others you must serve at home first. He is married to Thenna and the have two beautiful daughters, Cori and Riley Blue!
Chief Cecil E. Smith is the Chief of Police for the Sanford Police Department. He began his career in Sanford in April 2013 after serving 25 years with the Elgin Police Department in Elgin, Illinois retiring as Deputy Chief of Police. Chief Smith is an experience Public Service Administrator with extensive knowledge of policies, special policing needs and quality-of-life issues. Recognized by the DOJ, COPS office, FBI, and other State organizations, commended for his leadership skills, interpersonal skills, public speaking, and has successfully combined proactive methods of supervision, problem-solving, and the ability to motivate officers to exceed objectives, while continuing to maintain the highest standards of law enforcement ethics and professionalism. Chief Smith helped develop and continues to assist with the Sanford Pastors Connecting group as well as serving on several other Community boards within the Central Florida area. Chief Smith and his wife Vicki have parented five children and make the most of their time enjoying the special venues Florida has to offer.