Welcome to the Sankofa Experience!
Welcome to the Sankofa Experience! Our dedicated Plenary and Workshop committees have carefully crafted a comprehensive program designed to inspire, educate, and equip every attendee.
We've assembled an exceptional lineup of speakers from across the United States—thought leaders, practitioners, and visionaries who share our commitment to spiritual growth and community support. Each session has been thoughtfully designed to serve our diverse community of chaplains and ministry professionals.
Our goal is simple: to provide you with the knowledge, tools, and spiritual renewal you need to return to your calling with renewed purpose and energy. Whether you're seeking practical skills, theological insights, or personal refreshment, you'll find sessions tailored to meet you where you are in your journey.
Explore the sessions below and create your personalized conference experience. We're confident you'll discover exactly what you need to enhance your ministry and deepen your impact in the communities you serve.
Conference Agenda
2026 Sankofa CPE Conference
April 21-24, 2026
Oakbrook Marriott
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
12:00 PM
Conference Registration
(Vendors Available)
2:00 PM
Hotel Check In
6:00 PM
One-On-One Conversation with "Dr. Danie"
Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Spiritual Care, & Counseling
at Claremont School of Theology
Pastor Stephen J. Thurston, II
Senior Pastor of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church
7:00 PM
Social Event/House Party
(Vendors Available)
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Click HERE to view session Descriptions
7:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
(Vendors Available)
8:00 AM
Plenary Session: Shifting Toward Consistent Self-Care: Reclaiming Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being for Pastors, Clergy & Chaplains
Asst. Professor of Christian Education at the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology
9:00 AM
One-On-One Conversation with "Dr. Danie"
Pastoral Counselor and Author at Year of the Black Woman, Spiritual Direction and Education
Assistant Dean for Religious Life at Howard University
9:45 AM
Mid-Morning Break
(Vendors Available)
10:00 AM - Concurrent
Workshop A: Dear Pastor, Do You Want To Be Made Well?
Rev. Erica D. Geralds, LPC
Executive Director of Platform of Hope Services
&
Rev. Tonya D. Jackson, M.Div
Founder, A Time for You, LLC
Workshop B: Rest and Joy as a Resistance
Rev. Dr. Ebony D. Only
Executive Pastor, Chaplain, Pastoral Care, Coach & Consultant
Workshop C: Permission to Pause: Breaking the Cycle of Exhaustion in Ministry Leaders
Dr. Sherri L. Jackson, BCC
Hospice/Palliative Care Chaplain
11:00 AM - Concurrent
Workshop A: Transcendent Healing: Embodying Freedom in Ministry
Nala Simone Toussaint
Founder & Executive Director, Reuniting of African Descendants (ROAD), Minister-in-Training, Rivers of Living Waters UCC, Spiritual Life Coach & Cultural Strategist
Workshop B: Creating Space for Mental Wellness in Our Sacred Spaces
Rev. Dr. Michael Washington, Ph.D.
ACPE Certified Educator
Workshop C: Joy as Resistance
Rev. Lauren Frazier-McGuin, MA, MDiv, BCC
ACPE Certified Educator
12:00 PM
Lunch (provided)
1:00 PM
Plenary: Wells of Joy
Associate Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University
2:00 PM - Concurrent
Workshop A: Dear Pastor, Do You Want To Be Made Well?
Rev. Erica D. Geralds, LPC
Executive Director of Platform of Hope Services
&
Rev. Tonya D. Jackson, M.Div
Founder, A Time For You, LLC
Workshop B: Rest and Joy as a Resistance
Rev. Dr. Ebony D. Only
Executive Pastor, Chaplain, Pastoral Care, Coach & Consultant
Workshop C: Permission to Pause: Breaking the Cycle of Exhaustion in Ministry Leaders
Dr. Sherri L Jackson, BCC
Hospice/Palliative Care Chaplain
3:10 PM Concurrent
Workshop A: Transcendent Healing: Embodying Freedom in Ministry
Nala Simone Toussaint
Founder & Executive Director, Reuniting of African Descendants (ROAD), Minister-in-Training, Rivers of Living Waters UCC, Spiritual Life Coach & Cultural Strategist
Workshop B: Creating Space for Mental Wellness in Our Sacred Spaces
Rev. Dr. Michael Washington
Workshop C: Joy as Resistance
Rev. Lauren Frazier-McGuin, MA, MDiv, BCC
Certified Educator
7:00 PM
Evening Worship
Associate Pastor of Ministry Development at Freedom Baptist Church
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Click HERE to view session Descriptions
7:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
(Vendors Available)
8: 00 AM
Morning Worship
Executive Pastor, Chaplain, Pastoral Care, Coach & Consultant
9:00 AM
One-On-One Conversation with "Dr. Danie"
President of Gammon Theological Seminary
President of Iliff School of Theology
9:45 AM
Mid-Morning Break
10:00 AM - Concurrent
Workshop A: Mitigating the Messiah Complex
Rev. Dr. Danielle J. Buhuro
Founder & Executive Director, Sankofa CPE Center
Workshop B: Ministry in the Mirror: Healing the Hidden Burdens of Shame and Imposter Syndrome
Rev. Annettra Jones
CEO/Founder of Faithfully Becoming, LLC
Workshop C: Pediatric Chaplaincy
Rev. Dr. Christal L. Bell, D.Min
Non-Profit Executive, Pediatric Chaplain, Spiritual Care Advisor
11:00 AM
Mid-Morning Break
(Vendors Available)
11:15 AM
Plenary: The Entanglement. The Complexities of Self Care for the Caregiver
Senior Pastor of New Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia
12:15 PM
Lunch (Provided)
(Vendors Available)
1:30 PM - Concurrent
Workshop A: Spiritual Entrepreneurship: Cash Rules Everything Around me (C.R.E.A.M)
Dr. Danielle J. Buhuro
Founder & Executive Director, Sankofa CPE Center
Workshop B: Clergy Boundary Training - A Certificate of Completion will be provided.
Rev. Dr. Irie Lynne
Co-Pastor of The Gathering: A Womanist Church
Workshop C: Grief and Loss
Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy
Founder & Loss Navigation Specialist
2:45 PM - Concurrent
Workshop A: Spiritual Entrepreneurship: Cash Rules Everything Around me (C.R.E.A.M)
Rev. Dr. Danielle J. Buhuro
Founder & Executive Director, Sankofa CPE Center
Workshop B: Clergy Boundary Training - A Certificate of Completion will be provided.
Rev. Dr. Irie Lynne
Co-Pastor of The Gathering: A Womanist Church
Workshop C: Grief and Loss
Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy
Founder & Loss Navigation Specialist
6:30 PM
Evening Worship
Rev. Dr. Reginald Williams Jr.
Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of University Park
Friday, April 24, 2026
Click HERE to view session descriptions
7:30 AM
Breakfast/Registration
(Vendors Available)
8: 30 AM
Plenary: Leading While Bleeding and Healing at the Same Time
Senior Pastor of Rivers of Living Waters UCC of NY and NJ
9:30 AM
Sankofa Address
Founder & Executive Director, Sankofa CPE Center
10:45 AM
Conclusion/Departure
