What's a Theologian For?

What is the role of a theologian in today’s world? Join us for an unforgettable evening with Dr. Daniel Black—award-winning novelist, professor, activist, mentor, and public speaker—as he explores this provocative question and offers his unique perspective on the intersections of theology, culture, and the human experience.

Dr. Black’s literary works, including Perfect Peace, The Coming, and Don’t Cry for Me, have garnered critical acclaim for their poetic brilliance and unflinching exploration of identity, resilience, and community. His most recent work, Black on Black, is a passionate collection of essays described as “a tour de force” by renowned scholar Dr. Eddie Glaude. Whether through his novels, essays, or public speaking, Dr. Black invites audiences into deep reflection on love, justice, and the possibility of transformation in our collective lives.

About Dr. Daniel Black:

Dr. Daniel Black is a celebrated author and scholar whose body of work has been heralded as both visionary and deeply rooted in the traditions of African American storytelling. His novels, including Perfect Peace (hailed as an American literary classic by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker) and The Coming (praised as “brilliant” and “powerful” by National Book Award winner Charles Johnson), delve into themes of human dignity, identity, and the enduring spirit of community.

In addition to his prolific writing career, Dr. Black is a professor of African American Studies at Clark Atlanta University and the founder of the Ndugu-Nzinga Rites of Passage Nation, a mentoring society for people of African descent. His thought leadership extends beyond academia, with diversity consulting work for companies like Google, AT&T, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Born in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised in Blackwell, Arkansas, Dr. Black’s academic journey took him to Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), where he earned the prestigious Oxford Modern British Studies fellowship, and Temple University, where he studied under Black Arts Movement poet laureate Sonia Sanchez

About the Evening's Agenda

Join us for a light meal from 5:00 pm to 5:45 pm (MST).
The conversation will begin at 5:45 pm.

Unable to attend in person?

Watch live on YouTube, starting at 5:30pm.

Host or Publisher Iliff School of Theology