WILLIAM E. PANNELL CENTER FOR BLACK CHURCH STUDIES

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. VIRTUAL CELEBRATION

If Not Now, When?: Revisiting “The Other America”

January 13–15, 2021

Please join the William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies for our 2021 virtual celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as we revisit his speech “The Other America.” This speech describes two Americas functioning simultaneously in a period of heightened and controversial military activity during the Vietnam War. Dr. King details the lived reality of the triple ghetto––race, poverty, and human misery––African Americans faced. We will revisit these evocative constructs in light of our contemporary context and ask the bitter questions of when change must take place, and how.

Hosted by the Pannell Center

SCHEDULE :

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13

10:00 am – 11:00 am (PST)

Chapel with Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14

10:00 am – 11:30 am (PST)

In Dr. King’s speech, “The Other America,” he emphasizes that Black Americans live outside of the America that is described to the general public and full of ideas of freedom and equality. In this “Other America,” Black lives are subjected to a triple ghetto of race, poverty, and human misery. Our distinguished guests will give brief presentations on each of these elements of the triple ghetto of the “Other America.” The presentations will be followed by a live panel Q&A.

Various Lectures:

• Race – Dr. Marne Campbell, Loyola Marymount University
• Poverty – Dr. Christin Fort, Wheaton College
• Human Misery – Dr. Luke Bobo, Made to Flourish

11:30 am – 1:00 pm (PST)

Live Panel Discussion, hosted by Dr. Dwight Radcliff and Dr. Vince Bantu

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15

10:00 am – 11:30 am (PST)

Live Discussion with Pastor Moss

On the heels of his chapel message on Wednesday, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III joins Dr. Radcliff for a live discussion and Q&A.

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (PST)

MLK Gospel Celebration featuring:

Phil Allen, author and poet

Prince Purposed, musical guest

Rashad Howard, musical guest

Regenerated Church, musical guest

ShySpeaks, hip-hop and spoken word artist

and more!

ABOUT THE PANNELL CENTER

The William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies seeks to expand the formation of today's Christian leaders, deepening their understanding of and engagement with the African American church and its contributions to society. Through academic, practical, and spiritual formation opportunities, the center nurtures relationships between the broader church, the Fuller community, and the African American church, community, and culture.

The Pannell Center was birthed in 1974—initially called the Theological Studies Program for Black Ministers—largely through the efforts of former trustee and longtime faculty member William E. Pannell, in whose honor the center was named in 2015. Its founding stemmed from a conviction that the Black church has much to contribute to the seminary experience, a conviction that continues to guide its work today.