Join us for a series of Live Virtual Events about

African American Religious Diversity and Dialogue.

The Charleston Interreligious Council held its 4th Annual James Sawers Jr. Interfaith Speaker Series, African American Religious Diversity and Dialogue through a series of virtual conversations starting on November 12 and lasting through February 16, 2021.

Lectures/discussions explored African American diversity of faith in Charleston within different faith traditions, including Islam, Catholicism, Neo-African, and Baha’i Traditions. See complete schedule with speakers, as well as recordings of lectures below.

The James Sawers Jr. Interfaith Speaker Series is free and open to the public.

To view recordings of past lectures, please scroll down.

Schedule of Virtual Live Events

November 12 ~ Dr. Anthony Pinn ~ The Nature of Black Religion - KEYNOTE ADDRESS

November 19 ~ Professor Damon Fordham ~ African American Faith and Diversity in Charleston

December 8 ~ Dr. LeRhonda Manigault-Bryant ~ African American Conjure Faith: A Documentary Case Study

December 22 ~ Dr. Muhammad Fraser-Rahim~ African American Islamic Faith

January 5 ~ Christal Brown Heyward ~ Lowcountry Spirituals from the Sea Islands of Charleston

January 19 ~ Judge Arthur McFarland ~ The Black Catholic Experience

February 2 ~ Alonzo W. Nesmith, Jr. ~ African Americans in the Baha'i Tradition

February 16 ~ D. Danyelle Thomas ~ African American Millennials and Faith

RECORDINGS of lectures:

Click on video for a recording of the November 12, 2020 titled

THE NATURE OF BLACK RELIGION

by Dr. Anthony Pinn

Part of the Charleston Interreligious Council's 2020 James Sawers, Jr. Speaker Series

Click video for a recording of lecture held on November 19, 2020

African American Faith and Diversity in Charleston

by Professor Damon Fordham

Part of the Charleston Interreligious Council's James Sawers, Jr. Interfaith Speaker SeriesDecember 8th 2020

Click video for a recording of lecture held on December 8, 2020

African American Conjure Faith: A Documentary Case Study

by Dr. LeRhonda Manigault-Bryant

African American Muslims are the oldest and foundational Muslim community in America, whom origins are traced to enslaved African Muslims in America. Despite...

Click video for a recording of lecture held on December 22, 2020

African American Islamic Faith

by Dr. Muhammad Fraser-Rahim

A live virtual session from Johns Island native, Christal Brown Heyward, as she explores and explains the rich sounds of spirituals sung on the sea islands. ...

Click video for a recording of lecture held on January 5, 2021

Lowcountry Spirituals from the Sea Islands of Charleston

by Christal Brown Heyward

This lecture on the Black Catholic Experience will center on the history of African American Catholics in the Diocese of Charleston with special emphasis on ...

Click video for a recording of lecture held on January 19, 2021

The Black Catholic Experience

by Judge Arthur McFarland

Mr. Alonzo W. Nesmith, Jr. offered a brief history of the Baha'i Faith and its world embracing teachings. He shared how some African American's embrace and l...

4th Annual James Sawers Jr. Interfaith Speaker Series