In-person attendees can take part in keynote talks, panels, workshops, shared meals, book signings, art experiences, worship, music, dancing, and conversations with people from across the country.

In-person Event Schedule

Come ready to meet new people, explore big questions, and leave with new ideas, relationships, and tools for action.

Freedom Rising Conference • October 23–25, 2026

In-Person Schedule

For attendees joining at Middle Church in New York City • All times Eastern

108%
Format / Type
9:00–9:30 AMDoors Open and GatheringWelcomeArrival and connection
9:30–10:00 AMWelcome and GroundingWelcomeRev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis • Housekeeping, intention setting, and song
10:00–10:45 AMHistory Matters: How Did We Get Here?KeynoteDr. Jemar Tisby
10:45–11:00 AMFilm and Self-Reflection: Decolonizing Wealth Project - An Invitation to HealFilmDecolonizing Wealth Project
11:00 AM–12:00 PMWhite Christian Nationalism, Our Peculiar Economy, and the Dismantling of ‘Democracy’PanelRev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas; Rev. Dr. Edwin Aponte; Dr. Melissa Deckman; Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim; Dr. Hussein Rashid (via video call)
12:15–1:30 PMLunch, Connections, and Book SigningMeal & ConnectionLunch on your own, connections, and book signing
1:30–2:15 PMClass Matters: Can We Unbreak What Money Broke?KeynoteAbby Disney; Trevor Smith
2:15–2:30 PMConnect + Discuss (Intermission)Connect + DiscussIn-person transition and conversation time
2:30–3:15 PMMoney Matters: How Do We Decolonize Wealth and Finance Freedom?KeynoteEdgar Villanueva; Rev. Jason Garrett
3:15–3:45 PMConnect + Discuss (Intermission)Connect + DiscussIn-person transition and conversation time
3:45–4:45 PMResourcing Our Movements with LoveWorkshopIsaac Luria; Rev. Jennifer Bailey; Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews; Tricia Levesque
3:45–4:45 PMThe Moth: Shaping Stories, Building WorldsWorkshopThe Moth Staff • Registration-based; limited space
5:00–5:45 PMThe Movement Moves: Dance Party and ReceptionSpecial EventFriday closing celebration
No sessions match your filters.
Format / Type
9:00–9:15 AMGathering and GroundingWelcomeRev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis
9:15–10:15 AMBuilding the Narrative: Re-shaping God TalkPanelCiarra Jones; Brian Recker; Kristian Smith; Genesis Be; Nick Laparra
10:30 AM–12:15 PMWho Shapes Our Spiritual Imagination: A Soul Story ExperiencePanelErica Williams Simon; Rev. Lucas Johnson; Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis; Alencia Johnson
12:15–1:30 PMLunch and Book SigningMeal & ConnectionLunch and book signing
1:30–2:15 PMWhen Our Stories All Matter…PanelTiq Milan; Casey Donahue; Bridgit Antoinette Evans
2:15–2:30 PMConnect + Discuss (Intermission): Turn and TalkConnect + DiscussIn-person reflection time
2:30–3:15 PMArt Creating the WorldPanelKaliswa Brewster; Lucy Tiberghian; Ty Jones
3:30–4:30 PMDream Space: BLIS Collective ActivationDream SpaceStudio on 4
3:30–4:30 PMDream Space: Decolonizing Wealth ProjectDream SpaceSanctuary / online
3:30–4:30 PMDream Space: Middle Church ArtistsDream SpaceStudio on 3
3:30–4:30 PMJust Love Kids: Imagining a Liberated GenerationDream SpaceStudio on 3
4:30–4:45 PMSetting the Table Before Dinner: What Have We Learned So Far?ReflectionDay-program reflection
5:00–6:15 PMMoth Rehearsal CoachingWorkshopThe Moth Staff • Registration-based; limited space
6:30 PMDoors Open for The Moth Story SlamSpecial EventEvening public event arrival
7:00–9:00 PMAn Evening Story Slam with The MothSpecial EventOpen to the public; ticketing information coming soon
No sessions match your filters.
Format / Type
9:00–9:15 AMGroundingWelcomeOpening grounding
9:15–10:00 AMRevolutionary Spiritualities in Intergenerational Organizing, Hybrid Spaces, and the Public SquarePanelRev. Amanda Hambrick; Rev. Natalie Renee Perkins; Rev. Macky Alston
10:00–10:30 AMSpecial Guest KeynoteKeynoteSpeaker to be announced
10:30–11:30 AMEssential Strategies to Build Multiracial CommunitiesWorkshopRev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis; Rev. John Janka
11:45 AM–12:50 PMCelebrating Love and Liberation in WorshipWorshipMultifaith worship celebration
1:00–2:00 PMLunch, Book Signing, and Community Org FairMeal & ConnectionConference ticket-holder lunch, book signing, and community organization fair
2:00–3:00 PMUbuntu & The Spiritual Practice of RevolutionPanelDr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas; Dr. Simran Jeet Singh; John Fugelsang
3:00–3:15 PMConnect + Discuss (Intermission): SurveyConnect + DiscussSurvey and reflection time
3:15–4:00 PMHealing Institutions; Repairing Our MovementsPanelLinda Sarsour; Rev. Mark Thompson; Gamal Palmer
4:15–5:15 PMLiberating a Multiracial, Multifaith Movement to Heal Our NationPanelRev. Traci Blackmon; Shifra Bronznick; Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis; Dr. Rami Nashashibi
5:15 PMClosing RitualReflectionDr. Jacqui Lewis and Middle Church Staff
No sessions match your filters.