SIUE and SIUC Recognize East St. Louis Native, Rev. Joseph Brown, in Sankofa Celebration
For the decades of service to his faith and church, to communities near and far, to educational bastions and deserts, and to equity and justice, the Rev. Joseph A. Brown, PhD, will be honored during a Sankofa Celebration/Symposium and Mass from Friday-Sunday, May 13-15 at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC).
The event serves as an observance of Brown’s impact and work. Specifically, his 60th anniversary of entering the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood and his 25 years of service at Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale. Brown has dedicated his life to being a pillar of support, strength, guidance, wisdom and hope.
The SIU System and the Jesuits will partner with Brown’s home congregation, St. Augustine of Hippo, 408 Rev. Joseph A. Brown, SJ Blvd. in East St. Louis, to host the three-day affair. The festivities will kick-off with a dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, May 13 in the Multipurpose Room of Building D at the ESLC, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd. in East St. Louis. SIU System President Dan Mahony, PhD, will be one of the featured guests.
The symposium will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 14 in the Multipurpose Room in Building D. One of the featured workshop presenters will be Sheila Caldwell, EdD, SIU System vice president for Antiracism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and chief diversity officer.
- 9-10:15 a.m., Session One
“Redefining the Scholarship. The Unique Voice that Entered into the Dialogue that is Culture” and “Defining the Terms by Which We Live” - 10:30-11:45 a.m., Session Two
“Each One, Teach One,” and “What Was Learned in the Classroom from 1968-2020” - 1:30-2:45 p.m., Session Three
“Authentically Black, Truly Catholic,” and “Black Catholic Scholarship and Leadership, 1972-2021” - 3-4:30 p.m., Session Four
“Renewing the Cosmogram” and “The Pathway to Freedom. The Next Generation Adds to the Dance that is Culture.” - 5-6 p.m., Session Five
“The faith that does justice” and “Finding God in All Things” and “The Jesuit, Young and Old(er)”
“The Sankofa event will be the community that has nurtured me, and the community for which I have given my life’s service coming, quite literally, ‘full circle,’” said Brown. “It is my celebration of those who went before me, in blood and in spirit, believing in me, protecting me, teaching me and confirming me. It is my celebration of those who allowed me to ‘lead them, and guide them along the way,’ as they learned to believe in themselves as much as I believed in them.’ The event is, perhaps, the most glorious possible moment for all of us to rejoice in the presence of one other – seeing the promises fulfilled; renewing our commitment to teach the strategies of liberation that can only be accomplished by strong faith, and hope and love. And above all else, in gratitude.”
To make reservations for the Sankofa dinner or symposium, visit this link.
Photo: The Rev. Joseph A. Brown, PhD, will be honored during a Sankofa Celebration/Symposium and mass.
