The Sacred Memory Project is dedicated to restoring the power of forgotten and distorted narratives. We develop transformative models for healing and repair, addressing the silencing and distortion of stories that diminish collective value. We broaden the understanding of "preaching" to encompass a wide range of voices, from established faith leaders to artists and digital storytellers, all working to create a more just and equitable future.
We invite you to participate in Sacred Memory work. Please choose one of the two links below — Join our Sacred Memory Community or Learn About Our Upcoming Events. Additionally, McCormick’s Master of Theological Studies - Distance program offers an educational focus on Sacred Memory.
The Sacred Memory Project is being funded through a grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative.
Itihari Touré EdD is Senior Director of Major Grants for Program Development at McCormick Theological Seminary and the founder and program director of the Sacred Memory Project.
An ordained ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church USA. Previously, she has worked at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, where she taught Religious Education and served as the Director of Institutional Effectiveness. She previously launched initiatives like The Sankofa Center for Data Evaluation and Quality Enhancement and the Sankofa Public Fellows Project, collaborating with Historically Black Theological Institutions. With a career in education and ministry since 1976, she has focused on the Black church and Black women in ministry. Dr. Touré has coordinated the Black Women Ministerial Leadership program and contributed to grant writing for various initiatives. Dr. Touré has a B.A. in Education and Psychology, an M.A. in Human Development, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
In 2024, the Faith COMPASS Center of Wake Forest School of Divinity hosted a three-day Summer Institute entitled, “Re-Storying and Restoring: Theology, Sacred Memory, and Health in the African American Community.” This work builds upon the existing partnership between Dr. Toure and the Wake Forest University School of Divinity on storying and re-storying The Summer Institute convened more than 60 faith leaders, health service providers, and community advocates from across the eastern United States to engage in excavating sacred memory and decolonizing imagination. As an example, one of the LIT Cohort members presented a music video he produced that detailed his journey of re-storying his HIV diagnosis. Through the Institute, participants also gained knowledge and skills on how to apply different theological lenses in order to reduce stigma and promote healing, life-affirming narratives related to HIV in Black communities.
Rev. Earle J. Fisher, Ph.D., is a leading advocate for social justice and Black liberation, serving as the Senior Pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. He co-founded the Memphis Grassroots Organizations Coalition in 2015 and leads initiatives in criminal justice reform, media accountability, and voter empowerment.
Dr. Fisher is also a professor of Religion and Humanities at various colleges. In 2021, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. He is the author of The (Re)Introduction of The Black Messiah: Rev. Albert Cleage Jr. and the Black Prophetic Tradition.
What is Sacred Memory?
Sacred memory refers to the philosophies, theologies, social ethos, practices, and behaviors based upon ancient wisdom that inform social order, socialization, and social values. Sacred Memory is a form of ancestral technology to aid us in creating flourishing communal futures. It can also be a focal point of repair for the Christian church in general and at the core of healing for Black people of Christian faith.
Why Do We Need Sacred Memory?
Sacred Memory initiatives play a vital role in preserving heritage, promoting healing, educating future generations, and building stronger communities. They are essential for understanding who we are, where we come from, and how we can create a better future.
How Do We Engage in Sacred Memory?
Everyone has Sacred Memory, often found in family and community stories. Our task is to recover narratives that have been excluded or distorted, celebrating their inherent value as all experiences reflect the image of Our Creator. Begin by gathering these stories. Explore their relevance today, then collaborate with others to create activities that highlight these narratives and affirm their significance for the future.
