Joseph A. Brown is a priest, educator, scholar, artist and “drum major for justice.”  A native of East St. Louis, IL, he entered the Jesuits in 1962 and was ordained in 1972. He received his Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale University and currently serves as Chair of the Department of Africana Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Brown has also taught at the University of Virginia, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Creighton University.  He frequently speaks and writes about African American literature, culture, and religious life. His publications include: The Sun Whispers, Wait: New and Collected Poems (2009); To Stand on the Rock: Mediations on Black Catholic Identity; Sweet, Sweet, Spirit: Prayer Services from the Black Catholic Church; A Retreat With Thea Bowman and Bede Abram: Leaning on the Lord.  From 1991 through 1994, Brown served as Director of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies, Xavier University of New Orleans.

Rev. Joseph Brown, SJ explored the legacy of race and racism in the history of the Catholic Church and its implications for religious life today