How do you engage in the never-ending work of racial justice without burning out? How do you keep going when racism never seems to let up? Where can you find like-minded people on a similar journey who can support and encourage you?
At the Joy and Justice conference.
From the earliest days of The Witness, a nonprofit I founded back in 2011, people asked us, “When are y’all gonna do a conference?”
As president of the organization, I delayed it for a long time. The reason I gave was that we didn’t have enough money to host a conference. And that was true. But I also have to say there was a great deal of fear and uncertainty at play.
I didn’t want to announce a conference and then not be able to raise the money, have very few people attend, or face rejection as we asked speakers to share their gifts with us.
What finally shifted for me is when I felt we had the right team in place to pull off something as significant as our first conference.
In 2019, we hosted our first ever national gathering—the Joy and Justice conference.
Every day, injustice threatens to place Black people in bondage and steal our joy; it’s time to get free. At Joy & Justice 2023, we want to help you to Rise Up & Flourish–to live in the freedom that Jesus proclaims. Joy & Justice is more than a conference; it’s an experience.
While it was an extremely stressful planning experience, the conference itself was magnificent.
Joy and Justice was a place where I felt truly free to be both Black and Christian—not as separate, hierarchical aspects of myself, but as an integrated and harmonious whole.
I dance, I teared up, I shouted. I felt at liberty to bring my whole self to this space. That is exactly what Joy and Justice was designed to do.
It’s in the name—Joy and Justice.
You might walk into the conference bearing the weight of injustice, but you will leave Joy & Justice 2023 refreshed, healed, and carrying a renewed passion for fighting injustice.
As Black Christians and as people pursuing justice, our lives are marked by struggle, yes, but also by the joy that enables us to persevere through the challenges.
Unfortunately, the pandemic hit and delayed our next conference. We successfully launched a new division of The Witness, The Witness Foundation, but we didn’t have the capacity to host another conference…until now.
Consider this your formal invitation from me to just us for the next Joy and Justice conference 2023 with the theme Rise Up and Flourish.
It’s happening June 23-24 in Chicago.
While it’s short notice, if you need a place of healing, refreshing, and community, the Rise Up & Flourish conference is right on time.
We’re going to have incredible music, reflection, speakers, workshop, and fellowship.
You’ll hear from speakers such as Tyler Burns, Ally Henny, Kenyatta Gilbert, and more. I’m eager to give the opening talk on the first day of the conference.
People of all races and ethnicities are welcome. Register today and make plans to attend!
P.S. If you can’t attend, please consider making a DONATION to The Witness.