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The Faith of A Race: African American Religion and Contemporary U.S. Public Policy

A Mini-Conference Hosted by
The Center for Study of Race, Politics and Culture
University of Chicago


June 26-28, 2003


Religious thought and practice have historically occupied a central place in the individual lives and collective experiences of African Americans. This mini-conference seeks to explore the connections between black religion and this country's contemporary policy environment. We will explore this intersection between religion and public policy by:

  • tracing the contours of black religious experiences in the United States;
  • questioning what we know about the connection between people of faith, religious institutions, and the social and political activism of black communities;
  • thinking about the influence of churches on social policy and of these policies on churches;
  • exploring the future of race, religion, and public life in the contemporary context of the United States.

The conference will focus particular attention on intersectionality with an eye toward understanding the connections between African American religion and issues of gender, class, sexual identity, and difference. This is a working conference where participants will engage with one another in a sustained conversation among scholars, religious leaders, community activists, and interested citizens. We will meet from June 26-28 at the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture and the University of Chicago.

Conference Schedule
Links to Presenters
Registration Information
Information for Presenters
Related Papers

This conference is cosponsored by:

The University of Chicago Divinity School
The Department of Sociology
The Department of Political Science
The Center for Gender Studies