Asian American Religion, Theology, and Culture

aartworkshop@gmail.com

Welcome to the Asian American Religion, Theology, and Culture Workshop in North Carolina!

We’re excited to offer a unique space for local educators, activists, and spiritual leaders to foster Asian American connections, develop teaching materials, and engage in crucial racial reflections.

Each year, we plan to invite a cohort of around 10 individuals for a day-long workshop at Greensboro College in January. Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Share their lived experiences as Asian Americans in their educational and ministry settings.
  • Deepen their awareness of the significance of Asian American identities in education.
  • Talk about racism in the South and share wisdom to overcome.
  • Explore pedagogical strategies, including discussions of teaching tactic skills and real-life case scenarios.
  • Build a strong community right here in the region.

We are pleased to announce that the 2025 workshop is supported by the Asian Theological Institute in Philadelphia, and our keynote speaker will be the esteemed Rev. Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock.

Our Distinctive Focus

The Asian American population in the U.S. has experienced significant growth, more than doubling from 11.9 million in 2000 to 24.8 million in 2023. This growth is also reflected strongly in the South. For example, North Carolina experienced an 85% increase in its Asian population over the past two decades, making it one of the fastest-growing Asian American communities in the nation.

Despite this rapid growth, there have been limited resources and opportunities to specifically examine the Asian American experience and spiritual care, particularly in the Southern United States. While excellent scholarly Asian American reflections exist on the West Coast and in Northern states (such as those from APAARI at Berkeley, the Asian American Center at Fuller Seminary, and the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Seminary), these resources often don’t fully address the unique and severe ways racism operates in the South.

That’s precisely where our workshop comes in. We specifically aim to address racism issues in the South for Asian American spiritual and educational leaders, and create content that is highly relevant and fitting for leaders in this region. Join us as we work to build a more supportive and informed community for Asian Americans in North Carolina and beyond.

Host Institution:
Greensboro College

Greensboro College provides a liberal arts education fostering intellectual, social and spiritual development while supporting the individual needs of all students. It was organized in 1833 for local children as “Greensboro Female College” in 1833, and officially chartered in 1838.

Vision Statement
Greensboro College faculty, staff and students strive to think critically, act justly
and live faithfully.

Mission Statement
Greensboro College, a liberal-arts institution grounded in Methodist tradition of
inclusivity, encourages students to pursue a path toward their intellectual, personal,
and spiritual goals in life, career, and community as leaders and advocates for a more
just world.