Shaw University Announces Panelists For Inaugural Bishop James A. Forbes, Sr. Lecture

RALEIGH, N.C. — The December 1st Triumph Project, a series of events between Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, recognizes the day Shaw University was founded in 1865, the same year Congress abolished slavery in the United States. The series includes the inaugural Bishop James A. Forbes Sr. Lecture at 6 p.m., Nov. 30, in the auditorium of the N.C. Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Street. A pre-lecture reception will be held in the museum’s lobby.  There is no admission charge, but registration at triumphproject@shawu.edu is required to account for limited seating. 

The Forbes family has long held a place in the history of Shaw University and Raleigh. Bishop Forbes was an alumnus of Shaw University, whose children have continued his legacy of leadership and passion for Shaw. The late Forbes was a bishop with the United Holy Church of America, a national Pentecostal denomination. 

His son, distinguished Professor Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., has lectured and assisted at the Shaw Divinity School on many occasions. Known as the “preacher’s preacher” for his extensive preaching career and charismatic style, Professor Dr. Forbes received many awards, including the prestigious Earle B. Pleasant Clergy of the Year Award, Unitas Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award. He is the senior minister emeritus of The Riverside Church, an interdenominational church in New York City, and was the congregation’s first Black minister. Dr. James. A. Forbes Jr. will moderate the panel. 

Panelists for the inaugural Bishop James A. Forbes Sr. Lecture are:

Bishop Harry L Cohen

Presiding Prelate – Retired (Northern District) – United Holy Church of America

Bishop Elroy Lewis

President, WNC District – United Holy Church of America

Dr. William Turner 

James T. and Alice Mead Cleland Professor Emeritus of the Practice of Preaching (Duke Divinity)

Bishop Clifton Buckrham

Pastor – Resurrection Fellowship United Holy (High Point, NC)

Shaw University is entering its 158th anniversary year and will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the iconic Estey Hall on December 1, 2023, with The December 1st Triumph Project. Founded in 1865, Shaw University emerges as a vibrant testament of resilience and excellence as the first HBCU in North Carolina and Estey Hall, the first building dedicated to higher learning for Black women in the United States. 

HBCU presidents, chancellors, and alumni representing North Carolina and across the country will be recognized at The HBCU Triumph Gala, a black-tie (optional) event to be held on December 1st at the Crabtree Marriott Hotel (4500 Marriott Crabtree, Raleigh, NC). The Gala will commence at 6:00 pm with a VIP reception, dinner, and program at 7 p.m., including live musical performances, HBCU Honors, and the first-of-its-kind HBCU Triumph Gala Lifetime Achievement Awards. Presenters include former U.S. Congressmen G.K. Butterfield, David Price, and Bob Etheridge. For more information and tickets, please visit www.triumphproject.shawu.edu/tickets/the-hbcu-triumph-gala/