IN DEFIANCE AND IN SPIRIT
The History of African Spiritual Practices as Resistance in the African Diaspora
Saturday, October 25th , 2025
This one-day virtual and in-person, conference centers on the history of African Spiritual Practices as a living embodiment of African resistance, survival, and revolutionary spirit across the Diaspora. Building on the insights shared by our elders, wise ones and scholars, this Conference honors our African Spiritual Practices (e.g. LukumÃ, Isese, Candomblé, Palo) rooted in Yoruba cosmology and carried through the violence of slavery, colonization, and systemic oppression—has not only survived but thrived as a spiritual, cultural, and political force.
This conference will explore how our traditions became tools of survival, preservation, and resistance. Through spiritual practices, communal rituals, sacred memory, and cultural transmission, our African Spiritual Practices have helped shape generations of African-descended peoples who continue to defy erasure and fight for dignity.
WARRIORS THEN! WARRIORS NOW!
2024 Presenters Gallery
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2024 Presenters Gallery *
This year we feature thought leaders, scholars, and practitioners from Nigeria, the Caribbean, the U.S., and the Diaspora, all exploring the vital role of water in our lives and spiritual practices. With a focus on the intersection of water, climate change, and social justice, these presenters highlight the impact of environmental crises on water resources and how the Orisha tradition views and honors water as sacred. Together, we will examine meaningful ways to connect to water while promoting justice and sustainability.
