Join us for a discussion in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., presented in partnership with The Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation and moderated by Executive Director Aaron Grizzell. Organized around the MLK2024 theme of Beloved Community and social justice , the conversation is designed to create a space to critique, analyze and thoughtfully question assumptions about King and faith, King and community and King and society, and to ignite greater dialogue and programs of action that will infuse the positive force of justice.

The conversation will include a special emphasis on environmental justice, and the guest speakers are The Rt. Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of California; The Rev. Dr. Laurie Garrett-Cobbina, Dean, San Francisco Theological Seminary of University of Redlands; and Dr. Carlton Waterhouse, Professor of Law, Howard University.

Please also join us for an Interfaith service on Sunday, January 14, at 3 pm in celebration of Dr. King. Your registration for the Forum is also a registration for the Interfaith service.  

Advance registration is recommended but not required. The Interfaith Service and Forum will also be livestreamed here and will be posted on our Youtube channel for viewing on demand.   

Watch

Dr. King’s sermon at Grace Cathedral, March 28, 1965 part 1 

Dr. King’s sermon at Grace Cathedral, March 28, 1965 part 2 

About The Guests

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus is the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California. As Bishop of California, Andrus’ leadership has focused on key issues related to peace and justice, including immigration reform, civil rights for LBGTQ+ persons, health care, and climate change. A leading Episcopal voice on the environment, he leads the Episcopal Church’s delegation to the annual UN Climate Conference (COP) and serves as Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry’s representative to the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN). Bishop Andrus was the first faith leader to join the We Are Still In/America Is All In Leaders’ Circle, a diverse group of ambassadors for U.S. climate action.

The Rev. Dr. Laurie Garrett-Cobbina is the Dean of the San Francisco Theological Seminary, Shaw Chair for CPE Program, and Professor of Pastoral Care and Education at San Francisco Theological Seminary/University of Redlands, San Anselmo, CA. She holds a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies from the Graduate Theological Union, a Master’s in Theology and Master’s in Divinity from Princeton Seminary. Prior to joining SFTS, she served as spiritual care manager, chaplain, and clinical educator at Methodist Hospital (now Indiana University Medical Center) in Indianapolis, IN, California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, CA, and Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.

Dr. Carlton Waterhouse is an international expert on environmental law and environmental justice, as well as reparations and redress for historic injustices. His forthcoming book with Cambridge University Press explores the historic and contemporary role of the United States Supreme Court in maintaining racial hierarchy. Waterhouse began his career as an attorney with the EPA, where he served as the chief counsel for the agency in several significant cases and as a national and regional expert on environmental justice, earning three of the Agency’s prestigious national awards. His responsibilities at the EPA included the development of regional and national policy on Environmental Justice and the application of the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the EPA permitting actions.

About The Moderator

Aaron Grizzell is the executive director of the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation (NorcalMLK Foundation). The foundation, dedicated to helping unlock the promise in every person by promoting social, economic, and environmental justice, was originally founded in 1985 by the late Coretta Scott King to serve as the official organization in northern California to honor her husband’s newly established federal holiday. He also co-founded the Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival (BCAF), a comic book, animation, and popular culture expo that celebrates artists of color. Grizzell’s experience spans over 25 years in civic and social justice, public policy, and economic development.

About The Forum

The Forum is a series of stimulating conversations about faith and ethics in relation to the important issues of our day. We invite inspiring and illustrious people to sit down for a real conversation with the Forum’s host and with you. Our guests range from artists, inventors, and philosophers to pop culturists and elected officials, but the point of The Forum is singular: civil, sophisticated discourse that engages minds and hearts to think in new ways about the world.  More about Grace Forum Online.

Give to Grace

You can help us bring the arts to life at Grace with a gift today to The Forum. Click here to give.   

Become a GraceArts Member

Love engaging dialogue? We offer a special cultural membership program, GraceArts, focused exclusively on the arts and well-being. GraceArts allows a wider community to belong to and support Grace, with discounts and benefits on a robust schedule of events. Learn more and join!