Contact: Kerry Traubert

404-727-1170
ktraubert@thefund.org
Media Advisory

Nonprofit Looks to Cultivate Next Generation of

African-American Religious Leadership

• In the Age of Obama, young theologians, heirs to legacy of civil rights leaders, redefine role at
intersection of church, community and social change

• Changing landscape requires education and new leadership models

• Organization says investment is needed to nurture next generation of diverse scholars, pastors
and teachers to lead on-campus and in communities

WHAT: More than 40 rising African-American scholars from graduate theological schools and
universities nationwide will join education and community leaders in Chicago for a look at the
future of African-American Religious Leadership in America. The students are top doctoral
candidates selected by The Fund for Theological Education (FTE), a nonprofit advocate for
improving faculty diversity in theological schools and cultivating the next generation of leaders
for the church, academy and society.

These young African-American Ph.D. candidates are emerging leaders in their communities.
They are in Chicago June 11 to 13 to attend The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) Doctoral
Fellows leadership event on the campuses of Chicago Theological Seminary and the Catholic
Theological Union.

Highlights include a Chicago Community Dialogue for church and civic leaders on
“African-American Religious Leadership and the Age of Obama,” moderated by the
Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton, co-hosted by FTE and the Center for the Study of Black Faith and Life at
Chicago Theological Seminary, on Friday, June 11 at 4:15 p.m. at the Chicago Theological
Seminary Chapel, 5757 S. University Avenue, in Hyde Park. This event is open to media.

WHEN: Interviews and photo opportunities are available Friday, June 11 to Sunday, June 13, 2010

WHERE: Chicago Theological Seminary and the Catholic Theological Union

The Issues

African-American church leaders and theological educators will gather on Chicago’s South Side to discuss
their greatest challenges in the 21st century. “The old models of church and church leadership aren’t going to
work anymore,” says one Chicago-area doctoral candidate and minister. “The church, and the way we lead it,
has to change.”

What will these changes look like? The FTE event examines how to best support emerging young leaders—
African-American doctoral students who actively serve communities and are preparing to teach future pastors
on the campuses of North American theological schools.
According to FTE, more investment is needed to support doctoral students from underrepresented racial and
ethnic groups who are enrolled in religion, theology and biblical studies—a vital source of well-prepared, highly
educated leaders with knowledge and skills to address education-related and social issues for the church and
society. About one third of North American theological schools today do not have a person of color on their
faculties. Where will the next generation of religious leaders find role models in graduate education? How will
they come to terms with the rising cost of education, as well as the prospect of the 10 years, on average, it
takes to earn a Ph.D.?

Background

The Fund for Theological Education aims to improve diversity in faculty ranks at North American theological
schools, where future church leaders and educators must be formed and trained to serve increasingly diverse
communities. In 2050, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, minorities will comprise 54 percent of the
country's population.

Students of color in the Ph.D. pipeline need support that mitigates the financial hardships of doctoral study and
connects rising scholars with established faculty. Since 1998, FTE has awarded nearly $4 million in support to
doctoral students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to, enabling them to accelerate completion
of their degree programs to 6.5 years on average and prepare for faculty positions. A 2009 FTE report shows
that 79 percent of FTE Doctoral Fellows now teach at theological schools or universities.

FTE is an ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in pastoral ministry and theological scholarship. Its
work supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, providing fellowships and support to
gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds.

INTERVIEWS Available

Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker, FTE Vice President and Dr. Trace Haythorn, FTE President
The Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton, FTE Fellow, Chicago-based theologian and minister
Dr. Jonathan Walton, FTE Fellow, assistant professor of Religious Studies, U. of California, Riverside
Class of 2010 FTE Doctoral Fellows, rising young scholars and church leaders enrolled in Ph.D. programs

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