Statements
Mission
Scarritt Bennett Center creates space where individuals and groups engage each other to achieve a more just world.
Background
Scarritt Bennett Center was organized in 1988 as a nonprofit conference, retreat, and educational center. It is the legacy institution of Scarritt College for Christian Workers and continues to provide transformational faith education that empowers organizing and activism around issues of racism and inequality. Our conference center opens its doors in a radical hospitality to people of great ethnic and faith diversity. It is a place where people who are not alike and who do not agree can come to dialogue and grow in their understanding of each other. Our campus includes, not only our conference center, but also the Virginia Davis Research Library and Archives, a 7-circuit labyrinth, historic Wightman Chapel, and art gallery.
Impact
Accomplishments for 2020 include: Hosting the Weekly 'Jazz Vespers' and 'Tuesday in the Chapel' Services in historic Wightman Chapel. Develop effective educational opportunities that prepare and equip people of faith for prophetic responsiveness while facing issues of injustice. Establish a sustainable financial base. Maintain Buildings, grounds, and technology at a standard of care reflecting a campus that responsibly serves the current and future needs of Scarritt Bennett Center.
Needs
Fundraising for continuing programming in the areas of interfaith issues, elimination of racism and women's empowerment. Funding to upgrade our audiovisual equipment in Harambee Auditorium for multimedia presentations. Elevators in our residence halls to make every area of our campus fully handicap accessible. Funding to put a new roof on our historic dining hall.
CEO Statement
In 1890, Nathan Scarritt provided the foundation for Scarritt Bible and Training School by offering land in Kansas City, MO, valued at $25,000, and a cash gift of $25,000 pending a matching sum to be raised by the board. And indeed, the Board of Directors matched the gift by raising $25,000 to open this new school.
In 1924, Scarritt Bible Training School moved to Nashville, TN and was renamed Scarritt College for Christian Workers. In 1988, the College ceased to exist but emerged as the Scarritt Bennett Center continuing to uphold the values of the College through four tenets: women's empowerment, transformative education, eradication of racism, and spiritual formation.
Scarritt Bennett Center is uniquely situated as an oasis in the midst of Midtown between Edgehill and 21st Avenue. SBC stands as a tower of justice that is a part of the solution that brings people from different faiths and perspectives together to co-create a more just world.
We invite you to become a part of creating a beloved community.
Sondrea L. Tolbert, J.D., M.Div.
Executive Director
Service Categories |
|
| Primary Category: | Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy - Intergroup/Race Relations |
| Secondary Category: | Religion- Related - Interfaith Coalitions |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
We serve all 95 counties in Tennessee. Certain programs are offered primarily to Nashville and/or Middle Tennessee. Persons visit our campus from all over the world and many persons fly in from around the US to attend various programs and retreats.
| TN |
| National |
