ATLANTA – Turner Theological Seminary (TTS) at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) celebrated its 129thFounders’ Day Observance, February 5-7, 2023. The 129th Founders’ Observance activities and events were hosted in excellence by Reverend Ammie L. Davis, Ph.D., Eighth President-Dean, the Turner Team, Rev. Dr. Tar-u-way R. Bright, and the Turner Chapel AME Church family located at 492 North Marietta Pkwy NE, Marietta, GA 30060. The 129th Founders’ Observance celebrated and highlighted the legacy of the late Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, for whom the seminary is named, who led a life of service in pursuit of justice as an activist, author, liberator, and chaplain.
The 129th Founders’ Observance activities began on February 5, 2023, with the inaugural Laff-a-Lujah: An Evening of Laughter and Praise – A Scholarship Benefit Concert. Ahmad Hall & Comedian Whodi hosted the event featuring Gospel Artists: Isabel Davis, Marcia Chisolm, David Walker & High Praise, Symone Wright, Comedienne Rita Brent, and Comedian Spunky Robinson. On Monday, February 6, 2023, activities included: Board of Trustees, Alumni, and Student Fellowship meetings, President-Dean’s 1st Anniversary luncheon with Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chairman, as the preacher with featured Soul Singer Jonathan Blanchard, and Turner Student Fellowship (TSF) Ecumenical Worship with Reverend Syreeta Holman as the preacher and the Morris Brown Choir. Additional highlights during the President-Dean luncheon: Reverend Johnette Tarkington was commissioned in the United States Army Chaplain Corps by Colonel Monica Lawson. On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, all activities continued with lectures, preaching, and the culminating Hall of Fame Gala.
Tuesday, February 7, 2023, all activities continued with lectures, preaching, a candidates forum, and the Hall of Fame Gala, culminating the event. The Right Reverend Frederick Wright, Presiding Prelate of the 20th Episcopal District of the AME Church, was the opening preacher with a message titled, “It’s Time for The Lion to Roar” from the text Amos 3: 8. Reverend Carolyn Brailsford, Episcopal Supervisor, 19th Episcopal District of the AME Church, was the guest psalmist. This year’s lecturers were the Reverend Dr. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister of Justice & Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ, St Louis, MO., and Reverend Dr. Anton Elwood, Senior Pastor, New Mt Zion AME Church, Tallahassee, FL. Dr. Blackmon’s Plenary I Lecture was “Seeding Hope for the Future,” and Dr. Anton Elwood’s Plenary II Lecture was “Being Prophetic & Thriving in Ministry.” Lisa Rayam, WABE Morning Edition, hosted the 9th Annual Henry McNeal Turner Hall of Fame Gala: An Evening with the Arts. The Reverend Natosha Reid Rice was the guest speaker, and the featured Gospel Artist was Ahmad Hall & Friends.
The 9th Annual Henry McNeal Turner’s honorees for the President’s Lifetime Achievement and Alumni Hall of Fame Awards were:
President’s Lifetime Achievement Award
- Ambassador Michael A. Battle, U. S. Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania
- Bishop Francine Brookins, Esq, Presiding Prelate, Eighteenth Episcopal District of AME Church
- Gloria Byrd, Former Connectional Lay First Vice President of AME Church
- Marcus T. Henderson, Sr., Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of AME Church
- Kevin James, 19th President, Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA
- Ambassador Suzan (Sujay) Johnson Cook, Former S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom
The Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
- Rev. Dr. Karen Anderson
- Rev. James Alexander
- Rev. Brian Blackwell
- Rev. Dr. Christopher Burnett
- Rev. Dr. Emilygail Dill
- Rev. Dr. Howard Dill
- Chaplain (MAJ) Tara Dixon
- Rev. Dr. Mashod Evans
- Rev. Malcolm Guyton
- Rev. Dr. Eddy Moise
- Rev. Dr. T. Eric Nathan
- Chaplain (COL) Regina Samuel
- Rev. Johnetta Tarkington
- Rev. LeSean Tarkington
- Rev. Robert Thomas
- Rev. Jarrett Washington
- Rev. Cory Watts
- Rev. Hayward White
- Chaplain (LT) Autumn M. Wilson
To God be the Glory for the success of Turner Theological Seminary’s 129th Founders’ Observance. Dr. Ammie L. Davis stated that she is grateful for Bishop Jackson, the Board of Trustees, the 6th Episcopal District, Alumni, and Friends of Turner’s remarkable and considerate gifts to the seminary. With God’s help and wisdom, TURNER will continue to #ELEV8. Give2Turner: https://www.turnerseminary.org/give2turner.
To God be the Glory for the success of Turner Theological Seminary’s 129th Founders’ Observance. Dr. Ammie L. Davis expressed gratitude for Bishop Jackson, the Board of Trustees, the 6th Episcopal District, Alumni, and Friends of Turner’s remarkable and considerate gifts to the seminary. With God’s help and wisdom, Turner Theological Seminary will continue to #ELEV8. Give2Turner: https://www.turnerseminary.org/give2turner.
