2021 RNA Mini-Con

In the past year, we have reported extensively on sobering matters. Humor beckons with an oasis of retreat from current events, and, religious comedians and experts say, is uniquely equipped to probe subjects of faith.• Lina Molokotos-Liederman, affiliated researcher (sociology of religion), Woolf Institute, Cambridge, UK• Archie Rand, Brooklyn-based artist and muralist, Brooklyn College professor of art• Azhar Usman, comedian, actor, and staff writer & co-executive producer of “Ramy”• Moderator Dina Zingaro, CBS 60 Minutes

Getting vaccines in the arms of people to achieve herd immunity is clearly a vital piece when it comes to returning to normalcy and moving past the pandemic. But, what does it mean for people of faith? It’s been a delicate balance for faith leaders between dealing with skepticism of science and government, vaccine disinformation and questions about whether the COVID-19 vaccine complies with religious obligation. Speakers:• Rabbi Motti Seligson, director of media relations, Chabad-Lubavitch, and associate director, Chabad.org• Rev. Damon Williams, senior pastor, Providence Missionary Baptist Church• Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, director of the Medical Ethics Program at UCI Health• Emily Smith, assistant professor of epidemiology, Baylor University• Moderator Deepa Bharath, staff writer, Southern California News Group

President Biden’s re-establishment of an Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in January begs the question how faith advisers will impact this administration and its policies. Prior White House faith advisers and religious liaisons share anecdotes and insights to shed light on the evolution of these Oval Office positions over the past 20 years. Speakers:• Rev. Joshua DuBois, CEO, Values Partnerships, and former director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships• Rev. Johnnie Moore, founder and CEO of The KAIROS Company and president of The Congress of Christian Leaders• Melissa Rogers, executive director, White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships• Tevi Troy, Senior Fellow, Bipartisan Policy Institute, and former senior White House aid• Moderator Dina Zingaro, CBS 60 Minutes

In a country starkly divided by politics, culture, and disagreements about even basic facts, the path forward is anything but clear. January 6th at the Capitol laid bare those divisions. Leaders of different faiths and political perspectives offer their vision for how to heal our nation - or whether they feel we can. Speakers:• Mohamed Ahmed, founder, chairman and executive director, Average Mohamed• Rev. William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign• Hoda Mahmoudi, chair and research professor, Bahá’í Chair for World Peace• Nate Oman, Rollins Professor of Law, William & Mary Law School• Moderator Jack Gordon, WOWD 94.3FM Takoma Radio

Speaker: Betsy Shirley, RNA President; managing editor, sojo.net