The Summit 2018: Radically Rooted

Is it possible for Christians with deep theological differences on sexuality and gender identity to move toward one another with deeper compassion and joy? Hear how one group is living into this tension and what lessons they’ve learned along the way. Heidi Weaver- Smith, president/founder of LOVEboldly, will discuss the organizations’ efforts to host dialogues that cultivate courageous, productive conversations. She will share theological concepts that have shaped their work, practical tools and strategies that have helped explore reconciliation, and pitfalls and learning opportunities they have encountered. Attendees will discuss concepts and strategies that can inform reconciliation work in various contexts.

While there has been progress on certain fronts, there are still real and active efforts to suppress the vote in the United States. Three years after the Supreme Court deemed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 unnecessary, citizens in marginalized communities continue to be most vulnerable to these actions—but civic groups like the Brennan Center for Justice continue to challenge this reality in state houses, courts, and in the court of public opinion. This session will examine the current landscape of voting rights, and identify existing opportunities to advance voter protection.

Our cities and country are becoming more diverse, but research continues to show that we are hunkering down into communities of sameness. Through the lens of issues like race and poverty, we will explore how to move from the violence of othering to building Christ-centered communities of belonging. We will discuss how to counter the politics of oppression and violence with the politics of justice and compassion. We will talk about the journey of opening ourselves to the other, of embracing him or her in the same embrace with which God has embraced us.

We live in troubling economic times, with a growing wealth gap and uneven access to opportunity and prosperity. Now more than ever, communities of faith must be actively involved in building and investing in opportunities that are inclusive of all people—especially those most oppressed or abandoned by our current economic system. Join us for an interactive conversation between “radically rooted” entrepreneurs and investors whose deep connection to place, and their faith, informs the way they leverage their business and investments to positively impact their employees, their community, and the environment.
 
This will be a highly participatory dialogue featuring a few leaders sharing their experiences and best practices in order to prompt deeper group conversation.  Featured leaders will include Kesha Cash of Impact America Fund, Mike Balderrama of The Potter’s House, and Justin Steele of Google

Islamophobia looks different today than it did after 9/11, but many Christians don’t know what media to trust on this important issue. Come learn from Islamic leader Rizwan Jaka about how communities are using multi-faith partnerships for religious freedom to counter bigotry and misinformation. The discussion will include best practices for addressing Islamophobia and false narratives about our Muslim neighbors. Bring your questions for an open conversation to foster greater understanding of Islam and the American experience.

Over the past four decades, the number of women in prisons and jails has increased by more than 700 percent, disproportionately impacting women of color. During this forum, participants will explore how people of faith can work to create a more gender-equitable, trauma-informed, and redemptive justice system. How can we address the unique challenges that women and girls—particularly those of color—face during incarceration and return to their communities?

High-impact leadership requires emotional intelligence. When innovation is rooted in empathy, new insights emerge that empower leaders to align practical action to their mission. This Upswell Lab will use a model based on the principles of human centered design, and will teach techniques and critical skills for turning insights into ideas and ideas into prototypes you can test in the real world.

Around the world, Christians are implementing strategic, effective nonviolent practices amid armed conflict, resource wars, and structural violence. What does Christian peacebuilding look like in the U.S. today? What happened to Christian leadership against war and war culture? What do people of faith have to offer in the “new normal” of a permanent state of war in the U.S.? How do we act as the Body of Christ in permanent war? Our conversation will focus on sparking a fresh framework for people of faith on war and peace.