Vonnetta L. West presents
Neighbor Up:
Love Lessons
Lessons on Love from Howard Thurman’s
‘Jesus and the Disinherited’
An Exploration of Love as the Foundation of Liberation, in Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 97th Birthday
January 15, 2026 7:00 PM EST
In-Person & Virtual
The Hub West Cobb
4699 Ewing Road
Austell, GA 30106
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Thurman's lessons on love
"Why is it that Christianity seems impotent to deal radically, and therefore effectively, with the issues of discrimination and injustice on the basis of race, religion and national origin?"
This first question posed in the preface of Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited invites us into the thoughts and questions of the mystic himself as he wrestled with the intersection of justice and religion. Beginning with an interpretation of a liberative Jesus, Thurman guides the reader through the complexities of fear, hate, and love in this quintessential work.
Howard Thurman, Christian mystic, author, theologian, and minister, defines being a neighbor as "nonspatial" and "qualitative." He argued that "A man must love his neighbor directly, clearly, permitting no barriers between." We agree and cordially invite you to join us for a conversation to navigate these lessons on love.
This is not only a commemorative conversation.
It is a call to reflection, reckoning, and recommitment.
What to expect
Dr. Vonnetta L. West will be in conversation with Dr. Will Gravely (biographies below) about Howard Thurman's work and relevant lessons from Jesus and the Disinherited. Participants can expect an evening that is:
• Contextually relevant – A connection of Thurman's words to today’s political, social, and faith-based challenges
• Dialogical, not passive – Dialogue designed to encourage reflection, discussion, and critical engagement
• Action-oriented – Insight into how faith, justice, and public life intersect beyond symbolic gestures
This gathering is designed for clergy, faith leaders, organizers, educators, students, and community members seeking deeper clarity and purpose in this moment.
Registration
This is a hybrid event. In-person attendees will receive location details closer to the event date. Virtual attendees will receive access information via email within two days of the event.
Accessibility needs or questions? Please reach out via the contact form below.
Register below to join us for an evening of truth-telling, learning, and collective reflection.
Virtual Attendance
$29
In-Person Attendance
$49
"There are few things more devastating than to have it burned into you that you do not count and that no provisions are made for the literal protection of your person."
About Dr. Vonnetta L. West
Dr. Vonnetta L. West is a scholar and public theologian whose work centers on the intersection of faith, justice, and civic responsibility. She is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Go West Consulting and the Lead Pastor of Our Neighbor's House, a decentralized faith community, gathering via word and action.
Known for her ability to bridge rigorous scholarship with accessible public teaching, Dr. West challenges audiences to move beyond comfort and toward courageous engagement. Her work invites individuals and institutions alike to confront difficult truths while imagining more faithful and just futures.
Under her leadership, Our Neighbor’s House is building an Educational Center in Liberia. Her study and practice of Dr. King's nonviolent philosophy, her tangible faith, and her love for global neighbors are foundational to her goal of connecting, transforming, and engaging for good.
Vonnetta L. West
About Dr. Will Gravely
Dr. Will Gravely is the founder and lead pastor of Refuge Community Church, a multi-ethnic and cross-cultural church in Austell, GA and a visiting professor at Emory University. Will has been rooted in the Atlanta Metro area since attending and graduating from Morehouse College and completing both his Master of Divinity (Theology & The Arts) as well as his Doctor of Ministry (Church Leadership and Community Witness) at the renowned Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
He and his wife Veronica founded The Stained Glass Project in 2016, a community development organization driven to connect and reflect local communities through their model, The Community HUB.
Dr. Gravely serves as the lead strategist of the flagship Community HUB, a cultural arts center situated on 29.6 acres in Metro-Atlanta. As a gifted communicator, Dr. Will Gravely has traveled across the country sharing his message of strategic collaboration and sustainable community.
Vonnetta L. West
Contact
Have questions about the event, registration, or accessibility? We’d love to hear from you.
Please complete the form below, and someone from our team will respond shortly.
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