On Wednesday, Feb. 15, downtown Augusta’s Sacred Heart Cultural Center is partnering with the Progressive Religious Coalition of Augusta to host a 15th annual interfaith celebration at 6:45 p.m. in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
According to its mission statement, the coalition is a group of religious, progressive people “who strive to promote various causes in the local area,” and “will act to challenge injustice whether it arises from government actions, economic and business practices, in the education system or in religious institutions.”
Baha’is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Unitarian Universalists and religious humanists are invited by the coalition to attend their 15th annual event and hear from keynote speaker Eddie Glaude Jr.
In addition to being a graduate of Morehouse College and serving on its Board of Trustees, Glaude is a James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and Department Chair of African American Studies at Princeton.
He is a prominent scholar and is an author, political commentator and educator who analyzes various complex dynamics about America.
According to the Progressive Religious Coalition of Augusta, “in his writing and speaking, Glaude is an American critic in the tradition of James Baldwin and Ralph Waldo Emerson, confronting history and bringing our nation’s complexities, vulnerabilities and hope into full view.”
Glaude’s books on religion and philosophy include titles such as: “An Uncommon Faith: A Pragmatic Approach to the Study of African American Religion,” “African American Religion: A Very Short Introduction” and “Exodus! Religion, Race and Nation in Early 19th Century Black America,” which was awarded the Modern Language Association’s William Scarborough Book Prize.
Combining scholarly knowledge of history, political commentary and an activist’s passion for social justice, Glaude will be discussing factors about why King’s message of inclusiveness still matters in present times.
According to a press release from the cultural center, Glaude will challenge participants to examine American ideals, and “to establish the ground upon which to imagine the country anew.”
Located at 1301 Greene St., the event will be free, and open to the public at the Augusta Sacred Heart Cultural Center.
For more information about the celebration, visit: prcaugusta.com
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
