Rev. Owen C. Cardwell, Jr.’s message “I Am…” is taken from Langston Hughes poem, “I Too Am America!!!”

Dr. Cardwell is the Rosel Schewel Distinguished Professor of Education and Director of The Center for Education and Leadership at the University of Lynchburg. He is founder and retired pastor of the New Canaan International Church in Richmond.

Dr. Cardwell has been in ministry for 52 years. In February 2021, he became pastor of Diamond Hill Baptist Church in Lynchburg. He received a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio. His concentration is Ethical and Creative Leadership with a specialization in Martin Luther King studies. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Seminary and College, a Master of Theology degree from Boston University, a Master of Education from Cambridge College in Cambridge, Mass., and an honorary Doctorate in Sacred Literature from the Spirit of Truth Institute, Richmond Virginia Seminary, and has completed course requirements for the PhD in Counseling from Liberty University.

He is the 2015 recipient of the Dr. Toni A. Gregory Dissertation Award and the 2016 recipient of the Dr. Virgil A. Wood award for the Martin Luther King, Jr. dissertation.

• This event is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Office of Equity and Inclusion and Student Affinity Groups.