Please join us in a two-day celebration of Dr. Howard Thurman, renowned author, philosopher, theologian, Christian mystic, educator, civil rights leader, and former resident of Daytona Beach.

On November 17, 2025 at 6:30 pm, we will host a panel discussion at Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church during which attendees will learn about the life, legacy, and contributions of Dr. Howard Thurman, as well as actionable steps to take to transform our community for the better. Panelists include Dr. Claudette McFadden (moderator), Rev. Todd Campbell, Eartha Simms Watson, Rev. David Williamson, Qasim Abdul-Tawwab, and students from Bethune-Cookman University and Stetson University.

On November 18, 2025, there are multiple ways to celebrate Dr. Thurman's birthday, including:

Howard Thurman Historic Home:
10 am: Centering Prayer/Meditation with Rev. Todd Campbell
10:30 am: Howard Thurman Historic Home Tour

Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church:
12 - 1:30 pm: Keynote Speaker Dr. Luther E. Smith, Jr. and Celebration with the Bethune-Cookman University Concert Chorale

Dr. Luther E. Smith Jr.’s current research focuses on the writings and correspondence of Howard Thurman, advocacy on behalf of children, and a spirituality of hope. Smith is an ordained elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He retired from Candler in 2014. In 2009, Smith received the Phillips School of Theology “Bishops Thomas Hoyt and Paul Stewart Institutional Ministry Award for Outstanding Service to the Ministry of Academics.” In 2010, he was the recipient of Emory University’s “2010 Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award,” which is given “in recognition of the important role of classroom teaching in classroom teaching in collegiate and graduate education.”

Refreshments will be provided.

Howard Thurman Historic Home:
2:30 pm: Centering Prayer/Meditation with Rev. Todd Campbell
3:00 pm: Howard Thurman Historic Home Tour

Note: Please RSVP even if you only plan to attend some of these events. For more information, please contact: Rev. Dr. Kennedy Jacobs at Stewart Memorial UMC, (386)-255-7222.


Unable to attend in person? Join us online for livestreaming!
Monday panel:

https://www.youtube.com/live/cDQeWu2GA2s?si=MCYXRyTPWT_iyP5L

Tuesday keynote:

https://www.youtube.com/live/QSR3EI2GMEw?si=LoDZEmEHLiMMoIZ7