Speaking Engagements
June 16, 2019
Guest Preacher at First Baptist Church
Kendrick will visit First Baptist Church in Ithaca, New York to speak on this Father’s Day, remembering the father of Black Liberation Theology, Dr. James Hal Cone.
April 7, 2019
Guest Speaker
Kendrick will visit the Finger Lakes Residential Center in Ithaca, New York to preach during Lent Season at 1 p.m.
March 14, 2019
Guest Speaker at Seattle University
Kendrick will be presenting on "Race, Disability, and Christianity: The Complexity of an Intersectional Theology" at Seattle University's undergrad class "Transforming Spirituality."
February 25, 2019
Guest Speaker at Union Theological Seminary
Kendrick was invited to speak before two Field Education Classes with a focus on Disability Issues in Ministry, but more specifically about Practical Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities and how it is integrated in daily life.
February 24, 2019
Guest Speaker at Judson Memorial Church
Kendrick has been invited to speak during “The People’s Judson” about the origin of his Theology, the Black Liberation Theology of Disability. Kendrick will share his own personal story of suffering two strokes and finding himself in a dark place with a new reality as a black man a living with a new body; a disabled body.
February 22, 2019
Guest Panelist/Speaker at Union Theological Seminary
Kendrick was invited to contribute on the panel called Shades of Black: Finding My Voice, where he will be sharing the wisdom and courage that the late Dr. James H. Cone expounded on him with his theological insight to create Black Liberation Theology of Disability. Click here to register today!
February 10-15, 2019
Guest Speaker at Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Protestant University (Universite Protestante au Congo)
Kendrick was invited by Dr. Kamba to educate students and faculty in her Master's Program of Social Transformation about the Black Liberation Theology of Disability Movement, specifically with a focus on the Bible and Congolese people living with disabilities.
October 14, 2018, 11am
Conversation Partner with Rev. Kelso at Fort Washington Collegiate Church
Kendrick was invited to Fort Washington Collegiate Church in NYC for Access and Disability Awareness Week to be in conversation with Rev. Kelso about Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities.
September 30, 2018, 12:30pm
Guest Presenter for the Ithaca Friends Meeting's Aging Resources, Consultation and Help (ARCH) Committee
Kendrick's topic title is "Lord Will You Guide My Feet While I'm Running This Race -- The Intersection of Race and Disability." His talk will focus on the intersection of race and disability from the perspective of a Black man living with a disability in the 21st century.
June 3, 2018, 3-4:30pm
Guest Speaker
Kendrick spoke on how to forgive yourself at the Finger Lakes Residential Center.
May 31, 2018, 12-1pm
Webinar Conversation of Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities
Kendrick had two major strokes in his twenties that impacted his life in profound ways. He talks with us about how his own life was changed by these events and how “disability” is an issue of deep impact for people of color, as well as the influence of his mentor, the late Dr. James Cone. Learn more about his story and his “Black Liberation Theology of Disability,” during this moving and insightful conversation.
April 22, 2018
Guest Speaker and Presenter
Kendrick will give a presentation at the Black Lives Matter Ithaca Chapter titled ALL Black Lives Matter: A Theological Response Living with a Disability.
March 5, 2018
Guest Speaker at Union Theological Seminary
Kendrick spoke before the Field Education Class about Practical Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities and how he encompasses it in his everyday life.
February 25, 2018
Guest Preacher
Kendrick will be preaching at Church on the Hill (975 St Nicholas Ave) on Sunday at 11am. His sermon title is “A Glimpse into Living with Disabilities in the Black Church.”
February 11, 2018
Guest Preacher
Kendrick will be preaching at Manhattan Mennonite Church at 5pm during Black History Month on Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities.
January 11, 2018
Presenter at Union Theological Seminary
Kendrick will be presenting at Dr. Wilson-Barnes' class "Is there room for me? Congregational Life, Disabilities, & Creating Safe Spaces" on Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities on Thursday, January 11th from 10:30-11:30am.
November 4, 2017
Invocator
Lenox St. Baptist Church, Brooklyn
Kendrick gave the Invocation for the NYC Metro Area's American Baptist Church Annual Meeting.
September 15, 2017
Inspirational Keynote Speaker at JobPath
East Harlem
Kendrick will give an inspirational keynote address to the direct support professionals at JobPath in East Harlem.
July 27, 2017
Youth Engaging in Service Inspirational Speaker
Central Park
Kendrick spoke about living with a disability and his Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities to the First UCC of Montclair Youth Group. The group enjoyed the talk very much and asked many questions.
June 5-8, 2017
Summer Institute on Theology and Disability
Azusa, California
Kendrick will lead a workshop titled: "Black Liberation Theology of Disability in an Age of Terror."
Undoubtedly, we live in an Age of Terror: of political, social, and ableist violence. Black men and women are killed in the streets, progressive political measures are under scrutiny, and those with disabilities are constantly underserved and ignored as secondary citizens. Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities could help us understand our present situation and learn how to fight against it. It is first and foremost a way of life grounded in a theological framework. It encompasses black persons living with disabilities and focuses on their social, spiritual, and economic needs. It seeks to transform society to embrace black persons living with disabilities as an important part in the fabric of society and supports those already doing the work. Finally, it understands a God who is disabled, who is paralyzed by the cross. Still, God is not indifferent to suffering and is in solidarity with the marginalized. In this way, Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities can help us keep our soul intact, without compromising our morals.
March 30, 2017
Liberation Theologies and Worship class
Union Theological Seminary, NYC
Kendrick Kemp participated with students at Union Theological Seminary in the Liberation Theologies and Worship class. The class is taught by Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes who is the Associate Professor of Worship at the seminary. Kendrick. Professor Carvalhaes, and the author of Spirit and the Politics of Disablement, Sharon V. Betcher, via Skype on the subject of liberation theology of disabilities.
March 27, 2017
Urban Innovations
Harlem, NYC
Kendrick led a group of 20 people of color with disabilities in a lively discussion using his personal narrative and these framing questions:
How do we get through the day with our dignity? How do we get liberated from the deep funk and darkness of limitation that so often defines our lives?
Who is there for you when you need help? Who supports you through the dark and light?
How do we break the pattern of social isolation? The world of loneliness is powerfully limiting, how do we do what we can to change the pattern?
What do we need to do to break out of our own world. We stay in the shadows because it is comfortable. How do we zone out? What kind of courage is needed to venture out?
March 6 & 7, 2017
Field Education Class
Union Theological Seminary, NYC
Kendrick spoke about Black Liberation Theology of Disability before two classes totaling 35 students who are engaging in practical ministry. He shared personal stories and fostered questions relating to ministry and disability.
"As a seminarian and future faith leader, I was deeply inspired by Kendrick Kemp’s presentation on Disability Theology. Kendrick showed the true power of vulnerability by sharing his personal narrative and made me completely reconsider how I approach differently abled minds and bodies. His theological and political analysis challenged me to rethink the heavy burden of facing racism and ableism at the same time. His powerful intellect, prophetic wisdom and kind heart make Kendrick Kemp one of the most important budding theologians of our time. I feel honored to know him."
- Kaeley Mcevoy,
a Community Minister at Judson Memorial,
supplied this reflection on the class
February16, 2017
Black Liberation of Disabilities Presentation
Rice University in Houston, Texas
Kendrick led a discussion on Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities in Dr. Zoë Wool's Disabilities class at Rice University in Houston, TX.
November 19-22, 2016
American Academy of Religion
San Antonio, Texas
Building upon a 2015 conference on Black Liberation Theologies of Disability at Union Theological Seminary, organized by Kendrick Kemp, this session seeks to construct liberation theologies that take seriously the experiences of blackness and disability. We aim to explore the ways that racialized and disabled embodiment offers innovative readings of text, tradition and theological frameworks. What resources for a black liberation theology of disability can be sourced from black religious traditions? From disability activism? From black protest movements? Can theology be more responsive to the presence of elders in black religious communities? How can theologies grapple with the disabling traumas, state and social violence and the toll of activism in black experiences? How can black theologies support those living with mental health challenges, learning differences and brain injuries? How do our theologies honor and celebrate black disabled bodies?
Panelists:
July 26, 2016
Speaking at Parish Ministry & Administration 101
New York Theological Seminary, NYC
Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper asked Kendrick to present on his Black Liberation Theology of Disability to the Parish Ministry and Administration 101 class at NYTS.
He discussed his article, "Beyond Ramps and Special Seating: Practicing a Black Liberation Theology of Disability," with the class.
May 15, 2016
The Church and People with Disabilities
St. Paul's & St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, NYC
Kendrick spoke to the United Methodist Women’s group at Saint Paul’s and Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church about ‘The Church and People with Disabilities.’
Here is what they wrote about him before the event:
An exploration of “disability” begins on May 15 after church with a presentation by Kendrick Kemp, a graduate of Union Theological Seminary. Kendrick notes that as a student of Black Liberation Theology founder, Dr. James H. Cone, he has developed “a black liberating theology of disability: a theology that recognizes the crucified, resurrected, triumphant Christ as a disabled Christ, whose body is pierced, wounded, and imperfect. As such, Christ holds within himself four centuries of asphyxiated, beaten, broken, bullet-riddled, burnt, castrated, blown-to-pieces, and torn apart black bodies of America.”
Kendrick writes that he is “a lifelong advocate of civil rights.” With a BA in Social Work from Syracuse University and an MSW from Binghamton University, he is “devoted to practicing the Christian mandate of love by way of justice.” Evoking the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s statement from the Birmingham Jail-- “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” -- Kendrick quotes this as he works to maintain locally, as a founding member and co-chair of the Disability Justice Caucus at UTS,and nationally, as a member of ADAPT: a national grass-roots organization that promotes disability rights through non-violent protest, civil disobedience, and direct engagement with policy makers.
Kendrick believes that “an educated and engaged citizenry is the lifeblood for cultivating and maintaining a culture where all are free to live with dignity and respect.” Kendrick is excited to begin the next chapter of his theological journey, with plans to pastor a church that maintains an ethic of justice.
Kendrick’s presentation is the first of a two-part series related to the study The Church and People with Disabilities. On June 12, Mollie Vickery, deaconess and United Methodist Women staff in the area of children, youth and family advocacy, will lead us in discussions on able-ism and advocacy.
Invite Kendrick Arthur Kemp to Speak.
I am available to speak at your religious functions, social worker groups, community events, to your organization, schools, etc.
Topics I am often asked to speak about:
Please contact me at: kendrickarthurkemp@gmail.com
© 2020 Kendrick Arthur Kemp