We are so excited to welcome J Mase III and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi, the visionary creators and editors of The Black Trans Prayer Book. J Mase and Lady Dane are poets, educators, performers, playwrites, religious leaders, and more; they bring creativity, radical possibility, deep history, and prophetic faith to life. On February 18-19, they will host a workshop, a healing space, and a virtual book talk/performance that all center the wisdom and leadership of Black Trans and Non-Binary people.

The Black Trans Prayer Book is an interfaith, multi-dimensional, artistic and theological work that collects the stories, poems, prayers, meditation, spells, and incantations of Black Trans & Non-Binary people. Often pushed out of Faith spaces and yet still deeply connected to a historical legacy of spiritual essentiality, Black Trans People face unprecedented amounts of spiritual, physical, and psychological violence. The Black Trans Prayer Book is a tool of healing, and affirmation centered on uplifting Black Trans & Non-Binary people and celebrating our place within faith.

What does it mean to have a faith practice that simultaneously challenges white supremacy and transphobia? Where is there a theological framework that centers the most marginalized and creates pathways towards an active spirituality moving alongside social justice? How might a spiritual practice not in tune with these questions cause harm? The #BlackTransPrayerBook, is holding these very questions.

Events:

THURSDAY

Where White Supremacy, Transantagonism & Religious Violence Collide

3-4:30 PM Central

Learn about the direct connections (policies, histories, institutions) between white supremacy, transantagonism and religious violence in this 1.5 hr session led by the co-Directors of the Black Trans Prayer Book.

Who is this for:

• Individuals interested in acquiring knowledge that connects racial justice to trans liberation
• Black/Brown/Indigenous folks invested in healing from religious trauma
• Folks interested in holding faith institutions accountable, in policy and practice, for the ways they perpetuate anti-Trans violence
• Folks that want to be in better solidarity with Black Trans & Non-Binary folks.

Confrontation And Restoration: Healing Space for Trans People of Color

7 PM Central

This Healing Space, open to trans people of color, utilizes meditation and ritual to cultivate our spiritual tools for survival.

FRIDAY

From the Black Trans Prayer Book: Performances and Readings

6 PM Central

Join us Friday Night for an opportunity to hear the prayers and poetry of The Black Trans Prayer Book performed live by the writers. Readings and Performances By: J Mase III (he/him) and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi (she/her), Ahya Simone (She/her), Déjà Baptiste (She/Her), seyi adebanjo (they/them), Emani Love (She/her),and Wit Lopez (They/them).

The Black Trans Prayer Book: is a beyond faith and interfaith, multi-dimensional, artistic and theological work that collects the stories, poems, prayers, meditation, spells, and incantations of Black Trans & Non-Binary people. Often pushed out of Faith spaces and yet still deeply connected to a historical legacy of spiritual essentiality, Black Trans People face unprecedented amounts of spiritual, physical, and psychological violence. The Black Trans Prayer Book is a tool of healing, and affirmation centered on uplifting Black Trans & Non-Binary people and celebrating our place within faith.

Captions/Live Transcription will be provided by Otter for all events. Please indicate other accessibility needs via registration.

This series of events is coordinated by the Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality at Vanderbilt Divinity School and the Vanderbilt Office of LGBTQI Life.

Thanks to those who have made these programs possible:

Vanderbilt University Programs:

• Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center
• Provost's Office of Inclusive Excellence
• LGBT Policy Lab
• Latino and Latina Studies Program
• Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center
• Office of University Chaplain and Religious Life
• Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Vanderbilt Hillel

Vanderbilt Divinity School Programs:

• Divinity Library at Vanderbilt University
• Kelly Miller Smith Institute in Black Church Studies
• Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative
• Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture
• Vanderbilt Divinity School Office of Admission, Vocation, and Stewardship

Image Description: Event Save the Date, white text on a blurred gray/blue background. On the right 3 sticks of incense are burning, about an inch of each has burned down and is gray. Small lines of orange are visible, and smoke rises from the top of the brown, unburned portion. The text reads: The Black Trans Prayer Book, Save the Dated, Feb. 18-19 2021, Healing Ritual/Workshop/Worship/Reading.