Dance, Sing, Clap, Laugh, Cry: Alton Pollard

In this episode, we speak with Rev. Dr. Alton B. Pollard III, Dean of Howard Divinity School, about living the promise of the Gospel in a violent world.

The conversation with Dr. Pollard spans the range from his childhood experiences of racism and violence, to finding community and comfort in his church home, to his present work as a seminary dean. Throughout, Dr. Pollard articulates his vision of a radically inclusive vision of the Christian Gospel.

Dr. Pollard's book, Mysticism and Social Change, looked at the writings and spirituality of Howard Thurman, to explore the questions of what an "activist mysticism" would be like. Luther E. Smith, of Emory University, wrote that the book "offers an innovative methodology for examining biography, race relations, and the social witness of the church."