Appalachia: Listening with Our Hearts
The newest publication from the Poverty Initiative—Appalachia: Listening with Our Hearts—contains reflections on issues of poverty, gender and race in Appalachia and beyond from the January 2007 immersion participants.
Celebrating Art & Culture
The 40th anniversary of the launch of the Poor People's Campaign was commemorated on December 10th at Union Theological Seminary with an event focused on the roles of art and culture in building a movement to end poverty. Students, faculty, trustees, alumni and community members came together for an evening of song, dance, theater, stepping, images and reflection.
Megan Joiner (left) and Charon Hribar (right) performing a dance choreographed by Charon Hribar. Photograph by Katy Moore
40th Anniversary of the
Poor People's Campaign
Join the Poverty Initiative in commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign launched by Martin Luther King Jr.
We will focus our year’s activities—immersion courses, cultural events, workshops, conferences, research projects, community protests and activities, and our cornerstone Poverty Scholars Program—on commemorating and re-igniting the Poor People’s Campaign.
We will focus our year’s activities—immersion courses, cultural events, workshops, conferences, research projects, community protests and activities, and our cornerstone Poverty Scholars Program—on commemorating and re-igniting the Poor People’s Campaign.
World Religions &
Poverty Symposium
The Poverty Initiative held a "Religions of the World and Poverty" Symposium, February 18-21 in which several Poverty Scholar Candidates participated.
Scotland Blog
Visit the online journal of work with Faith in Community Scotland by Gayle Irvin and Paul Chapman (Community Advisors to the Poverty Initiative):
(left to right) Martin Johnstone, Lynn MacLellan, Paul Chapman, Gayle Irvin, and Noel Mathias in Glasgow, Scotland
Willie Baptist selected as Alston/Bannerman Fellow
Willie Baptist, Poverty Initiative Scholar-in-Residence has been selected as a Alston/Bannerman Fellow for long-time activists of color.
The Alston/Bannerman Fellowship Program works toward "advancing progressive social change by helping to sustain long-time activists of color. The program honors those who have devoted their lives to helping their communities organize for racial, social, economic and environmental justice. The program provides resources for organizers to take sabbaticals for reflection and renewal."
Willie is one of only four fellows selected in 2007.
The Alston/Bannerman Fellowship Program works toward "advancing progressive social change by helping to sustain long-time activists of color. The program honors those who have devoted their lives to helping their communities organize for racial, social, economic and environmental justice. The program provides resources for organizers to take sabbaticals for reflection and renewal."
Willie is one of only four fellows selected in 2007.
Immersion Courses
In January 2008 the Poverty Initiative offered two immersion trips.
January 3-11 - “Appalachia: Train the Trainers” was offered to seminaries, colleges, universities and community organizations to explore the realities of poverty and community organizing in Appalachia as well as the curriculum and pedagogy of immersion trips.
Prof. Janet Walton (left) with community leaders from the Tutwiler Community Center in Tutwiler, MS.
January 13-22 - “Mississippi and Tennessee: The 40th Anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign” was offered to the students, faculty, and staff of Union Theological Seminary as well as members of the Poverty Scholars Program.
January 3-11 - “Appalachia: Train the Trainers” was offered to seminaries, colleges, universities and community organizations to explore the realities of poverty and community organizing in Appalachia as well as the curriculum and pedagogy of immersion trips.
Prof. Janet Walton (left) with community leaders from the Tutwiler Community Center in Tutwiler, MS.
January 13-22 - “Mississippi and Tennessee: The 40th Anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign” was offered to the students, faculty, and staff of Union Theological Seminary as well as members of the Poverty Scholars Program.