Rev. Dr. William Joseph Barber II
As part of its Black History Month celebration, and in keeping with its mission to provide a transformative and integrative educational experience grounded in Benedictine values, Benedictine University will host acclaimed pastor and social justice activist Rev. Dr. William Barber II on February 10, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Rev. Dr. Barber’s presentation on advancing the discussion of anti-racism and social justice will be held at Benedictine’s Goodwin Hall of Business, Room 411 at 5700 College Rd, Lisle, IL. The event is open to the public and free to attend.
Rev. Dr. Barber recently became the founding director of the just-established Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at the Yale Divinity School, which will pursue teaching, practice, research, and collaboration at the intersection of theology and advocacy.
“Hosting Rev. Dr. Barber is a very important moment in our University’s great history, especially as we observe Black History Month,” said Benedictine President Charles Gregory. “It is a rare opportunity for our University’s leadership, faculty, student body and our surrounding community to hear firsthand from a nationally renowned pastor who has devoted his life to fighting systemic racism and poverty in America.”
Gregory added that Rev. Dr. Barber’s presentation on advancing and integrating Benedictine values of justice, community, human dignity and the common good into our curriculum and community will be of great value to us. It is especially relevant to Benedictine University’s mission to teach and learn, scholarship and service, and truth and justice, as inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition, the social teaching of the church, and the principles of wisdom in the Rule of St. Benedict.
A highly sought-after speaker, Rev. Dr. Barber has given keynote addresses at hundreds of national and state conferences, including the 2016 Democratic National Convention. He is the President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach; Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival; Bishop with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries; Visiting Professor at Union Theological Seminary; and Senior Fellow at Auburn Seminary.
Prior to joining the Yale Divinity School, Rev. Dr. Barber pastored the Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He began his ministry at Greenleaf 29 years ago, and during his time there the church sponsored efforts that led to more than $12 million of community development, in addition to welcoming all into the body of Christ. He is the author of four books: “We Are Called To Be A Movement;” “Revive Us Again: Vision and Action in Moral Organizing;” “The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and The Rise of a New Justice Movement;” and “Forward Together: A Moral Message For The Nation.”
About Benedictine University
Benedictine University is in Lisle, Illinois, just 25 miles west of Chicago, and in downtown Mesa, Arizona. Founded as a Catholic university in 1887, Benedictine enrolls nearly 5,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Forbes magazine named Benedictine among “America’s Top Colleges” for the ninth consecutive year in 2019. Benedictine University was also named the second-safest campus in the country and safest campus in Illinois by yourlocalsecurity.com in 2019. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information about the University, contact (630) 829-6300, [email protected] or visit ben.edu.
