2015 National Gathering Speakers
The EAD 2015 National Gathering featured an array of speakers and preachers with a range of national and international experience discussing the theological, ethical, policy, and advocacy dimensions of issues related to mass incarceration and systems of exploitation.
Videos for all plenary session are now available. Click on the video link next to each event to go to the plenary page to view the video.
Friday, April 17
Opening Celebration Remarks and Speakers – Video (Sermon only)
| Keynote Speaker Rev. Traci deVon Blackmon Pastor, Christ the King United Church of Christ, Florissant, Mo. |
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Read more about these speakers.
Saturday, April 18
Saturday Morning Policy Plenary – Video
| Dr. Iva Carruthers General Secretary of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference |
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| Rev. Dr. Bill Mefford Associate General Secretary for Civil and Human Rights, The United Methodist Church General Board of Church & Society |
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Read more about these speakers.
Saturday Lunch Plenary: The Role of the Church in the “War on Drugs” – Video
| Ethan Nadelmann Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance |
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| Rev. Edwin C. Sanders II Senior Servant, Metropolitan Interdenominational Church Nashville, Tenn. |
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| Jasmine Tyler Senior Policy Analyst for Global Health and Drug Policy, Open Society Policy Center |
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| MODERATOR Douglas Walker, M.Div. National Coordinator for Criminal Justice Reform, UMC General Board of Church and Society |
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Read more about these speakers.
Sunday, April 19
Sunday Interdenominational Worship – Video (Sermon only)
| Bishop José García Director of Church Relations, Bread for the World |
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Read more about Bishop García.
Sunday Morning Plenary: Breaking the Chains: Systems of Global Exploitation – Video
| Emira Woods Global Client Principal for Social Impact Programs at ThoughtWorks |
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| Father Shay Cullen Founder, People’s Recovery Empowerment and Development Assistance Foundation, Philippines |
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| Joanne Blaney Maryknoll Lay Missioner, Sao Paulo, Brazil |
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| Fr. Valdir João Silveira National Coordinator of the Prison Ministry Pastoral of Brazil |
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| Raed Jarrar Policy Impact Coordinator for American Friends Service Committee, Washington, D.C. |
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| MODERATOR David Schilling Senior Program Director for Human Rights & Resources at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility |
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Read more about these speakers.
Sunday Evening Banquet – Video
| Roy L. Austin, Jr., J.D. White House Domestic Policy Council, Deputy Asst. to the President for the Office of Urban Affairs |
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Read more about Dr. Austin.