ICNY is proud to share this upcoming event launched by Manbo Dòwòti Désir, a fellow in ICNY’s Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy (ICLA), sponsored by Trinity Church. ICLA is giving diverse religious leaders the tools they need to make a difference — with an intensive ten-month training program to develop civic engagement skills, as well as a rich network of relationships with colleagues across faith lines. In the final phase of the academy, our fellows receive grant funding to create their own community-based projects, applying the skills and insights developed in the program to address a social justice issue that impacts their faith community or other New Yorkers.
Diverse houses of worship may be found throughout New York, but there are no formally recognized religious institutions serving members of the city’s African diaspora faith communities (such as Vodou, Santeria, Candomble, and the Yoruba-Lukumi tradition). This project will organize two community dialogues, to explore and envision what such a public space of ritual engagement might look like for African-based traditions. With tens of thousands of practitioners living in and visiting the New York metropolitan area, the need for securing a collective place of worship is an imperative that can no longer be ignored. The proposed dialogues will contribute to the process of eliminating Afrophobia – creating transparency and public engagement, while demystifying stereotypes about Vodou and other African-based traditions. This event is a product of ICNY’s Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy (ICLA), sponsored by Trinity Church Wall Street.
Thursday, August 16:
The Politics of Vodou: Afrophobia; Human Rights; and the Sacred Waters of the AfroAtlantic Treaty Process
(session primarily in Haitian and French)
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Out of the Basement:
Opening a Temple for African-based Faiths (English)
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, 120 East 125th Street (between Lexington & Park Avenues)
Register here for this free event.
As part of the African Vodoun Festival, The AfroAtlantic Theologies & Treaties Institute is hosting two roundtables organized and moderated by ICLA fellow Manbo Dòwòti Désir which explore the State of Vodou and other African-based traditions in the world today. For more information text: 917.539.7252, or: ddesir@ATI-global.org.
