Meet Our Speakers
Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis
The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is Senior Minister and Public Theologian at Middle Church in New York City. In her activism, preaching, speaking, writing, and teaching, Dr. Lewis advocates for racial equality, gun control, economic justice, and equal rights for all sexual orientations/genders. A world-renowned theologian, Dr. Lewis has been featured on The Today Show, All In with Chris Hayes, AM Joy, The Melissa Harris Perry Show, NY1, ABC, NBC, PBS, CBS and many more. Her writing has appeared in outlets like Harper’s Bazaar, Vox, The Huffington Post and Religion News Service. She is the author of several books, most recently Fierce Love: A Bold Path to a Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World which was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.
Brian McLaren
Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a core faculty member of The Living School and podcaster with Learning How to See, which are part of the Center for Action and Contemplation. He is also an Auburn Senior Fellow and is a co-host of Southern Lights. His newest books are Faith After Doubt (January 2021), and Do I Stay Christian? (May 2022).
Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz
Rev. Dr. Lydia Esther Muñoz is an Ordained Elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church and currently serves as Executive Director of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, one of six ethnic minority plans of the United Methodist Church. She is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary and holds a Doctor of Ministry in Public Theology from Drew Theological School in Public Theology. Dr. Muñoz has long experience developing ministries of justice among marginalized and multicultural communities and has been involved in leading worship for 20+ years in varied and diverse settings, both locally and nationally, including for the World Council of Churches Assembly in South Korea 2013 and the United Methodist General Conference in 2012 and the Festival of Sacred Arts in Falstbo, Sweden.
Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery
The Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery is the Dean of Duke University Chapel and Professor of Homiletics and African and African American Studies. He holds faculty appointments in Duke’s Divinity School and the Department of African and African American Studies in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. A national leader in the theological study of the art of preaching (homiletics), Dean Powery regularly delivers sermons at Duke Chapel as well as churches throughout the United States and abroad. He is often a keynote speaker and lecturer at educational institutions, conferences, symposia, and retreats.
Dean Powery was ordained by the Progressive National Baptist Convention and has served in an ecumenical capacity in churches throughout Switzerland, Canada, and the United States. He is a member of the Academy of Homiletics, for which he has served as Secretary; the American Academy of Religion; the Society for the Study of Black Religion; the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality; and the Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education. He served as a member of the executive lectionary team for The African-American Lectionary and is the recipient of numerous scholastic fellowships and awards.
Clay Price
Clay started his career with Disney in 1997 as a percussionist with the Disney All-American College Orchestra performing at Epcot's American Gardens Theater alongside several well-known Broadway stars. After finishing his degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia , he quickly moved back to Orlando to be a full-time Cast Member with Walt Disney World Entertainment. From 1997 to 2003, Clay was a performer in numerous shows and parades in all four Disney theme-parks. He also spent a year in Japan working for Tokyo Disneyland Entertainment during their 20th Anniversary Celebration. As a musician, he was a drummer for the “Tapestry of Nations” parade at Epcot ® and is currently a sub-pianist for the Magic Music Days choral workshops. After two years working as a Production Assistant, Clay is now a Coordinator with Talent Casting and Booking, specializing in Celebrity Talent. Clay also serves on the Advisory Board for S.T.A.G.E.
Cliff Price
Cliff Price, Entertainment Stage Manager and Art Director for Disney Parks and Resorts and Disney Live Entertainment is originally from Wrightsville, Georgia and holds a degree in Environmental Design and Landscape Architecture from The University Of Georgia, where he was a proud member of the Redcoat Marching Band. He started his career with Disney Parks Live Entertainment in 1998 as an Entertainment Cast Member. As a performer, he entertained guests in many of the Shows and Parades across property and oversees at Tokyo Disneyland. He was honored to be able to performer alongside his twin brother in performances of “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame – A Musical Adventure”, “Fantasmic!”, and “Dream Along With Mickey”. He has also worked with a Production Assistant with Disney Live Entertainment opening some amazing Shows and Experiences like The American Idol and the Disney Dream Cruise Ship. Cliff was a recipient of the Disney Partner’s In Excellence Award.
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