Transfrom Network for Wednesday, 28 January 2015 "Reportback on Ferguson / #BlackLivesMatter Movement Organizing"

Network Reportback on Ferguson / #BlackLivesMatter Movement Organizing from Micky Jones

The conversation continued tonight with an Open Conversation on Race, a live event online with Micky Jones, Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, Brittani Gray, Bec Cranford Smith and Holly Roach. You can see that conversation here. Robyn Henderson-Espinoz is our theologian in residence this year and will be leading a session on intersectionality at the gathering.  Brittini Gray will be participating in our Fridaynight main session titled: Theologizing for Justice: the Kairos moment of Ferguson, #BlackLivesMatter & intersectional freedom movements Bec Cranford-Smith is a long time Transform practitioner and friend who does amazing work journeying with homeless communities. She will be talking about her work on a panel on journeying equitably with folks without homes.  As Transform continues to grow and mature, we are moving beyond “love God, love your neighbor” and widen the vision to include collective action - to challenge and work toward replacing larger systems of oppression that impact us all. Jesus, just before challenging the empire and ultimately paying with his life, prayed that we all might be one. But he didn’t stop with prayer. He prayed, stood up, and through violence and chaos, stood firm in the face of power with peace and love. As missional community leaders and faith-based activists, we want to live lives of spiritual connection, action and love.   Transform Network continues to collaborate with other organizations, practitioners and networks to develop and continue helpful conversations, to craft resources and trainings and make strategic connections for effective justice movement work.   In early December, Micky ScottBey Jones, leadership team member, and our new Director of Training and Program Development represented Transform at a number of Ferguson related events and actions.   1- Visited Ferguson to assist with a faith based prayer vigil and support event for the local movement. 2- Attended the Faith Table Retreat convened each year by Sojourners in St. Louis, MO to gain more understanding of what caused the moment of Mike Brown’s killing to become a movement of #BlackLivesMatter and beyond. 3-Transform was represented by Micky again as a facilitator at a retreat planned by Dr. Iva Carruthers of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference and American Baptist College, the HBCU that prepared civil rights leaders such as John Lewis and C.T. Vivian. The retreat included reflection, contemplative exercises, strategy, intergenerational collaboration, and a collective action that included protest at the Mayor’s office. The retreat included collaboration of community activists representing all of these organizations or communities: BYP 100, S.O.U.L., Millenium Activists United (MAU), We Charge Genocide, Circles & Cyphers, Beloved Community Center, Cleveland Action, Gen Y Project, Lost Voices, Black Soljahz, TransFORM Network, Freedom Fighters, Liberate Nashville, SCLC, Gamaliel, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference and American Baptist College.   As we move into 2015, and the moment of protest sparked by Mike Brown, becomes an intersectional movement that calls forth participation of compassionate, faithful followers of Jesus, we want to help our network dialogue about justice and act to bring it to Ferguson, New York City, Cleveland, and wherever you are. By being involved in both local and national conversations about justice and spirituality, Transform is able to provide you with more information, creative ways of engaging and purposeful action for the future.   Thank you for being a part of  Transform Network. We need you, your love and your commitment to making the world a better place.  Let’s do this work together.  -Micky

The TransFORM Network leadership team has been working hard to bring you an amazing network gathering this April 23-25, 2015 at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. exploring intersectional justice, the changing face of urban ministry, contemplative activism and much more. Each day includes powerful, inspiring and practical keynote sessions with speakers who deliver substance. You will be mobilized and encouraged, challenged and equipped. The 2015 TransFORM Network gathering will be addressing systemic oppression and community challenges that missional communities and faith-based activists will need to theologize about and integrate into praxis wherever you form community. Register for the gathering today and join the movement. Our mailing address is:  TransFORM Network P.O. Box 550425 Charlotte, North Carolina 28055 United States

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