Theophus "Thee" Smith is a native Atlantan and an associate professor in the Religion Department of Emory University. Raised in the black church (Baptist), he now serves as an Episcopal priest at the Cathedral of St. Philip in the Diocese of Atlant
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Theophus "Thee" Smith is a native Atlantan and an associate professor in the Religion Department of Emory University. Raised in the black church (Baptist), he now serves as an Episcopal priest at the Cathedral of St. Philip in the Diocese of Atlanta. His book, "Conjuring Culture: Biblical Formations of Black America," won the American Academy of Religion award for excellence in 1994. His scholarship spans the fields of religion and theological studies, African American spirituality, and violence studies including co-editing "Curing Violence." From Atlanta he consults and facilitates forums and workshops on reconciliation and was a co-founder of Southern Truth and Reconciliation (www.southerntruth.net). Thee Smith’s consulting expertise, workshop facilitation, and speaking engagements are available through Thurman Reconciliation Initiatives (TRI) Inc., his research and education nonprofit that provides "faith-based resources for conflict transformation and social change." Since 1987 he has led forums and workshops on reconciliation issues at Emory University and throughout the nation, including the "Prejudice Reduction" and "Conflict Resolution" workshops developed by the widely acclaimed National Coalition Building Institute (www.NCBI.org). Thee is a former martial artist (Afro-Brazilian capoeira) and a lapsed canoeist, but can still be found actively composing (sometimes publishing) speeches, editorials, sermons and prayers in cafés throughout metro Atlanta.
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