October 25, 2021 (Atlanta, GA) – The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) will host a 3-day celebration and presidential installation ceremony for President Matthew Wesley Williams,’04 starting on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.
“ITC 2.0,” is a strategic process of institutional innovation that seeks to optimize infrastructure and enhance our capacity to prepare prophetic problem solvers who “practice justice and peace through a liberating and transforming spirituality.” With President Williams at the helm, the institution is redesigning its operations, academic curriculum, and governance. The goal is to create a better, more effective, and sustainable model to advance the historic mission of ITC and equip prophetic problem solvers with the tools necessary to lead in any sector, as well as the community and pulpit.
President Williams describes ITC 2.0 as “a startup that is not starting from scratch.” The pursuit of this promising future recovers and advances ITC’s liberating mission and legacy. However, this work also requires ITC to continue solving inherited institutional challenges amid a changing landscape. Still, President Williams is proud of the significant progress made in a short period of time and he is confident that with the support of a committed community ITC will flourish in service to its mission.
“The future of ITC is deeply rooted in the best of its legacy, stated ITC President Reverend Matthew Wesley Williams, ’04. “For over six decades, ITC has been an incubator of liberating leadership and revolutionary scholarship. I am blessed and privileged to serve my beloved alma mater as it rises again to meet this pivotal moment, pursuing God’s call and our ancestors’ dreams.”
Before his appointment to the ITC, Williams was the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE), a national leadership incubator that cultivates wise, faithful and courageous leaders who make a difference in the world through the church and academy. He served as a member of FTE’s senior leadership team and was responsible for managing and overseeing a $7 million annual portfolio of strategic organizational initiatives. During his 15 years with FTE, he helped to transform and guide FTE’s initiatives in recruitment and leadership development for emerging leaders and rising scholars of color who were exploring and pursuing the vocations of pastoral ministry, scholarship, and other forms of leadership.
“Reverend Matthew Williams emerged as the Board’s choice for President because of his visionary thinking and his strategic mission-minded approach to facilitating change”, stated Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “As an ITC graduate, Williams possesses direct knowledge of the legacy of the Interdenominational Theological Center. His background and experience as a thought-leader and change agent are a perfect fit for creating the ITC 2.0 that we envision to serve the present and future generations of religious leaders who come to study and grow.”
In addition to this being a monumental time to celebrate an oncoming President, installations are as much a celebration of the institutions and the communities they serve. The installation ceremony will commemorate ITC’s legacy and mission, engage surrounding communities, and celebrate the new vision known as ITC 2.0.
The public is invited to attend events in-person and virtually throughout the week that will celebrate President Williams’s many professional accomplishments and vision to lead ITC into the future. Those unable to attend in-person can view live online via ITC’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/itcatlanta – and the ITC YouTube channel.
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Installation Week Events Include:
Faith and Social Justice Forum – Wednesday, November 17, 2021
ITC Faculty staff, students, alumni, supporters, and special guests are invited to a celebratory gathering that highlights the intricate connection between faith and social justice through the recognition of key local leaders. The host for this gathering will be Rev. Dr. Neichelle Guidry, Dean of Sisters Chapel at Spelman College and Director of the Women in Spiritual Discernment of Ministry (WISDOM) Center.
Faith and Social Impact – Thursday, November 18, 2021
The second day of celebratory events will explore the intersection of faith and social Impact in discussions of faith rooted, asset-based solutions related to food systems, finance, and community and economic development in local communities with a panel discussion with innovative leaders and scholars moderated by Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Ellison, III, Founder of Fearless Dialogues. The host for this gathering will be Dr. Heber Brown III, Founder of the Black Church Food Security Network and Senior Pastor of the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church.
ITC 2.0 Roadmap and Installation Ceremony – Friday, November 19, 2021
Join us on Friday, October 19, 2021, from 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M./ET for the installation day celebration of President Matthew Wesley Williams,’04, as the 11th President of the Interdenominational Theological Center.
The installation ceremony will include a special address by President Williams as he highlights a shared vision for the future of ITC. This celebration will also have a series of lightning talks, performances, and remarks from special guests, including a special delivery of a Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council. The host for this gathering will be Reverend Hodari Williams, Senior Pastor of New Life Presbyterian Church Civic Leader, South Fulton, GA Program Director, Thriving Prophetic Congregations, ITC.
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About the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)
Founded in 1958, the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) is a historically African American theological consortium located in the heart of Atlanta, GA. The ITC cultivates future Prophetic Problem Solvers in partnership with five Christian denominations, three of which are historically Black faith traditions: Baptist, African Methodist Episcopal, Christian Methodist Episcopal, United Methodist, and Church of God in Christ as well as one at-large constituency that represents ten additional denominations, the Selma T. and Harry V. Richardson Ecumenical Fellowship. The ITC is the only graduate theological center that prepares leaders for such a wide swath of the African American faith community. ITC graduates enter professional careers in the church, academia, chaplaincy, public service and nonprofit leadership. The ITC is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Learn more at https://www.itc.edu or for continuous news and updates, follow ITC on social media @ITCEducation.
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Media Contact:
Katrina Garnes/Director of Marketing and Communications
kgarnes@itc.edu
Phone: (404) 614-6394
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