Invitation to Participate

Dear YDS Alumni:

In the wake of the Yale Divinity School (YDS) Joint Reunion and Convocation of African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic-Latino/a Alumni, Alumnae, and friends held in May of 2003, the Divinity School and the Louisville Institute have provided support for the research and writing of an expanded history of the black presence at YDS.

Posted on this website is an abstract and questionnaire of the project, “Been in the Storm So Long’: Yale Divinity School and the Black Ministry-One Hundred and Fifty Years of Black Theological Education.” The co-investigators of the project, Yolanda Y. Smith, M.Div., Ph.D., research scholar and lecturer in Christian education at Yale Divinity School and Moses N. Moore, Jr., ‘77 M.Div., Ph.D., associate professor of American and African American religious history at Arizona State University, are in the process of gathering data and information related to this project. Consequently, we request the assistance of all black YDS alumni in chronicling their YDS experiences and invite completion of the questionnaire.

Also envisioned in this multifaceted project is the establishment of an archive documenting the black presence at YDS. Alumni, therefore, are invited to share with us old photographs (most helpful when persons are identified), records of important meetings and events, other printed materials, and personal recollections of significant events. For example, information related to lectures, black students, faculty/staff, the Black Church at Yale, the Black Seminarians, and other organizations. Please send your completed questionnaire and memorabilia regardless of graduation year, to Dr. Moses Moore.

We are asking that responses to the questionnaire be mailed as soon as possible. Please note that this project cannot be completed without the active and prompt participation of YDS’ many black graduates.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Dr. Moore at (480) 965-8671 or email him at moses.moore@asu.edu .

Your participation in this important project is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Moses N. Moore, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of American and
African American Religious History
Arizona State University