Speaking Engagements

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.

Kendrick will visit the Finger Lakes Residential Center in Ithaca, New York to preach during Lent Season at 1 p.m.

Kendrick will be presenting on "Race, Disability, and Christianity: The Complexity of an Intersectional Theology" at Seattle University's undergrad class "Transforming Spirituality."

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Kendrick spoke on how to forgive yourself at the Finger Lakes Residential Center.

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.

Auburn webinars offer a unique, immersive invitational experience. Participants may attend in-person, online, or watch later at their convenience.

Kendrick will give a presentation at the Black Lives Matter Ithaca Chapter titled ALL Black Lives Matter: A Theological Response Living with a Disability.

Kendrick spoke before the Field Education Class about Practical Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities and how he encompasses it in his everyday life.

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.”

Kendrick will be preaching at Manhattan Mennonite Church at 5pm during Black History Month on Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities.

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.

Kendrick gave the Invocation for the NYC Metro Area's American Baptist Church Annual Meeting.

Kendrick will give an inspirational keynote address to the direct support professionals at JobPath in East Harlem.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

Kendrick led a discussion on Black Liberation Theology of Disabilities in Dr. Zoë Wool's Disabilities class at Rice University in Houston, TX.

• Sat, Nov 19, 2016 3:00pm 
• Tue, Nov 22, 2016 4:00pm

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:

• Dr. Nyasha Junior, Presiding 
• Dr. Rev. Monica A. Coleman
• Dr. Rev. Garth Baker-Fletcher
• Mr. Kendrick Kemp, LMSW, MDiv
• Dr. Rev. Pamela Lightsey

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.

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.