Sankofa Symposium

Honoring the ministerial and academic career of Rev. Joseph A. Brown SJ, Ph.D.

The Sankofa Symposium serves as a tribute to Father Brown with specific themes that honor and focus on various writings by many authors and are presented as a tribute or memorial, especially to Father Brown.

We are inviting those with a connection to Fr. Brown – friends, colleagues, former students (or “all of the above”) to join this event with presentations focusing on their research activities, with a special emphasis on the reality of Sankofa as Fr. Brown has taught and witnessed the concept – “to return to the past and bring forth what is need for the future.” The symposium provides persons with the space and opportunity to discuss their diversity research with peers, faculty, and staff in a supportive and constructive atmosphere. Topics can span but are not limited to cultural, racial, ethnic, functional, gender, international, LGBTQ+, and political diversity.

Throughout his ministerial and academic career, Fr. Brown has lectured and written across many of these areas, and presenters can share with the gathering how they have discovered new paths of learning, or how they have let the lessons learned to spark their own work as teachers and mentors, writers, advocates, and ministers.

All are welcome in soaking in the original research of our participants and celebrating their work and accomplishments.