The Sacred Memory Project is dedicated to restoring the power of forgotten and distorted narratives. We develop transformative models for healing and repair, addressing the silencing and distortion of stories that diminish collective value. We broaden the understanding of "preaching" to encompass a wide range of voices, from established faith leaders to artists and digital storytellers, all working to create a more just and equitable future.
We invite you to participate in Sacred Memory work. Please choose one of the two links below — Join our Sacred Memory Community or Learn About Our Upcoming Events. Additionally, McCormick’s Master of Theological Studies - Distance program offers an educational focus on Sacred Memory.
The Sacred Memory Project is being funded through a grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative.
Itihari Touré EdD is Senior Director of Major Grants for Program Development at McCormick Theological Seminary and the founder and program director of the Sacred Memory Project.
An ordained ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church USA. Previously, she has worked at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, where she taught Religious Education and served as the Director of Institutional Effectiveness. She previously launched initiatives like The Sankofa Center for Data Evaluation and Quality Enhancement and the Sankofa Public Fellows Project, collaborating with Historically Black Theological Institutions. With a career in education and ministry since 1976, she has focused on the Black church and Black women in ministry. Dr. Touré has coordinated the Black Women Ministerial Leadership program and contributed to grant writing for various initiatives. Dr. Touré has a B.A. in Education and Psychology, an M.A. in Human Development, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
We were honored that President Maisha Handy and Dr. Itihari Toure served as invited guides and proclaimers at the 31st Commemoration of The MAAFA and the 2025 MAAFA Mbongi (Learning Place), held September 21–28, 2025.
This year’s theme, “Reclaiming the Village / Restorying Our Values and Honoring Our Voices,” continued a three-decade tradition of remembrance, healing, and transformation. Together, national and international scholars, creatives, and community leaders gathered to honor silenced voices, reclaim fractured spaces, and envision communal futures rooted in justice and wholeness.
Learn more at: https://www.spcbc.com/maafa-2025
Dr. Irie Lynne Session is an award-winning minister, pastor, author, TEDx speaker, and Womanist practitioner who draws on her background in social work and ministry to empower marginalized communities and Black women worldwide. Raised in the South Bronx and holding advanced degrees in social work and divinity, she has served as a parole officer, HIV/AIDS family advocate, and denominational leader with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She currently serves as co-pastor of The Gathering, A Womanist Church in Dallas, and CEO of DreamBIG Coaching & Consulting Services. A seminary educator and creator of the online course Holy Disruptors, Dr. Session centers liberation and transformation in her preaching, teaching, and writing—including her books Badass Women of the Bible and The Gathering, A Womanist Church. She continues to travel widely as a preacher and finds joy in her role as a devoted single mother.
What is Sacred Memory?
Sacred memory refers to the philosophies, theologies, social ethos, practices, and behaviors based upon ancient wisdom that inform social order, socialization, and social values. Sacred Memory is a form of ancestral technology to aid us in creating flourishing communal futures. It can also be a focal point of repair for the Christian church in general and at the core of healing for Black people of Christian faith.
Why Do We Need Sacred Memory?
Sacred Memory initiatives play a vital role in preserving heritage, promoting healing, educating future generations, and building stronger communities. They are essential for understanding who we are, where we come from, and how we can create a better future.
How Do We Engage in Sacred Memory?
Everyone has Sacred Memory, often found in family and community stories. Our task is to recover narratives that have been excluded or distorted, celebrating their inherent value as all experiences reflect the image of Our Creator. Begin by gathering these stories. Explore their relevance today, then collaborate with others to create activities that highlight these narratives and affirm their significance for the future.
