Widener Professor Shares Presentation at Black Freedom Movements Then and Now Conference
Richard Cooper, clinical faculty in social work and co-coordinator of african american studies, recently spoke at the “Black Freedom Movements Then and Now” conference at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.
Cooper’s presentation focused on the life accomplishments of Bishop Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He highlighted Allen’s wide-ranging influence as a spiritual leader, entrepreneur and activist who challenged racial assumptions in the early American republic.
Allen’s work included institution building, mutual aid, economic development, education, civic engagement, music and advocacy on behalf of both free and enslaved black people.
Cooper explored how Allen united multiple dimensions of Black leadership that later became distinct traditions within African American history. The presentation argued that through Allen’s religious visions and his efforts to build independent black institutions, he laid the groundwork for the Black freedom tradition and subsequent movements for collective advancement and racial justice.