Theme: “Seeking Justice: Baptists, Nashville and Civil Rights”
April 20-22, 2015
Nashville, TN
Hosted by American Baptist College and First Baptist Church Capitol Hill
News Coverage:
“Campbellsville University’s Wes Carter presents paper at Baptist History and Heritage Society,” Campbellsville University, May 21, 2015
“CBF Honored with Blevins Award by Baptist History & Heritage Society,” Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, April 28, 2015
“Historians Say Southern Baptist Women Paved Way in Improving Race Relations,” Associated Baptist Press, April 21, 2015
Conference Summary:
The Baptist History and Heritage Society partnered with American Baptist College and First Baptist Church Capitol Hill for our 2015 annual conference.
Conference speakers, presenters and panelists focused on the theme of “Seeking Justice,” with significant attention focused on Nashville Baptists’ contributions to the Civil Rights movement.
The conference began with the Fellowship of Baptist Historians dinner and keynote speaker, Ed Crowther, on Monday, April 20 at 4:45 p.m.
Keynote Speakers and Audio Recordings:
Keynote speakers (in alphabetical order) were:
- Dr. Edward R. Crowther, Professor of History and Chair, Department of History, Government and Philosophy, Adams State University, Colorado: “Martin Luther King, Jr.: Civil Rights and the Baptist Faith” (Audio recording)
- Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Professor of Moral Leadership, Emory University: “Social Justice Today: Nashville and Beyond” (Audio recording)
- Dr. Forrest E. Harris, President of American Baptist College, Nashville: “Social Justice Today: Nashville and Beyond” (Audio recording)
- Dr. Bobby Lovett, Retired historian, Tennessee State University: “Baptists and the Civil Rights Movement in Nashville” (Audio recording)
- Rev. Dr. Kelly Miller Smith, Pastor of First Baptist Church Capitol Hill, Nashville: “Baptists and the Civil Rights Movement in Nashville” (Audio recording)
- Question and Answer Time with Drs. Kelly Miller Smith and Lovett (Audio recording)
- Panel Discussion, “Predatory Lending” (Audio recording)
- Panel Discussion, “Baptists and Social Justice: From the Present into the Future” (Audio recording)
Other program personalities included:
Dr. Pat Anderson, criminologist, professor emeritus, Florida Southern College; editor, Christian Ethics Today; and also representing the New Baptist Covenant
Rev. Bonnie Oliver Brandon, ordained minister, National Baptist curriculum writer, Memphis, Tennessee and Secretary and Conference Coordinator, Baptist History and Heritage Society
Dr. Bill Pitts, Professor of History and Religion, Baylor University, and BH&HS President
Steven Reeves, Associate Coordinator for Advocacy and Partnerships, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Dr. Pamela Smoot, Professor of African American History, Southern Illinois University, and BH&HS Vice President