Rhetoric, Race and Religion
May 27-29, 2026 | Duquesne University
The Biennial Philosophy of Communication Conference continues its tradition of examining the intersection of philosophy and communication while engaging the ethical demands of the present. Sponsored by the Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies at Duquesne University and the Communication Ethics Institute at Duquesne University, this year’s theme, Rhetoric, Race, and Religion, calls for critical reflection across phenomenological, rhetorical, semiotic, and ethical approaches to communication. In partnership with The Center for the Study of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion, the conference invites contributions that examine how meaning is shaped through lived experience, struggle, and symbolic expression.
We welcome diverse scholarly and creative approaches. Problematics that presenters may consider include, but are not limited to:
- Phenomenology of race and embodiment
- Cornel West’s prophetic pragmatism
- Rhetorical analysis of August Wilson’s plays
- Insurrectionist philosophy
- African-American prophetic traditions and the Black Church
- Afropessimism
- Rhetoric and religion in the Civil Rights movement and other global freedom struggles
- Derrick Bell and Critical Race Theory
- Black feminism and religion
- Anti-racism and decoloniality
- Race in religious communication
- Bell hooks and the intersections of race and gender
- Creolization and Afro-Caribbean philosophy
- Intersectionality
- Ubuntu and ethics of care
- Bayard Rustin at the intersection of race and sexuality
- The relevance of the philosophy of Franz Fanon today
- Urban renewal rhetoric in Pittsburgh and beyond
- Narratives of faith
- Semiotics of religious iconography
- George Yancey and critical whiteness studies
- The role of race and religion in today’s political struggles
- Case studies on public relations and race
- The mediation of technology in religion today
- Rhetorical comparisons of issues of race and religion across cultures
- Anti-DEI rhetoric
- Indigenous religious practices and the Abrahamic traditions
- The role of race and religion and the art of Romare Bearden
- The intersection of race, politics, and sports
The conference theme is a call for the exigency of reflection on race and religion in the current moment. The African-American philosopher, Leonard Harris, said, “philosophical texts, if products of social groups doggedly fighting to survive, are texts born of struggle.” We hope that the conference theme will invite potential participants to “shift the geographies of reason,” to quote Lewis R. Gordon, and look for these texts “born of struggle,” particularly from the Global South.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Theon Hill
Dr. Theon E. Hill (Ph.D., Purdue University) serves as Associate Professor of Communication at Wheaton College where he researches and teaches at the intersections of race, politics, and religion. His first sole-authored book Searching for the Promised Land: Black America and the Rhetorical Politics of the Obama Era is under review with The University of Chicago Press. In addition to his research, Theon serves as the current president of the Religious Communication Association and the Transformative Justice Officer for the Rhetoric Society of America.
Dr. Andre E. Johnson
Dr. Andre E. Johnson is a Professor of Communication at the Department of Communication and Film at the University of Memphis. His impressive credentials include being an Orlando Taylor Distinguished Scholar of Africana Communication and a Douglas R. Ehninger Distinguished Professor of Rhetorical Studies. Moreover, he has taken on the significant role of Director of the newly established Center for the Study of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion and the editor of the Journal of Communication and Religion—the flagship journal for religious communication scholars. In addition to his primary role at the University of Memphis, Dr. Johnson is a Distinguished Professor at Memphis Theological Seminary. He is also an affiliate faculty member of Christian Theological Seminary and the Andrew Mellon Just Transformation Satellite Partner with Penn State University’s Center for Black Digital Research.
Dr. Tahirah Walker
Dr. Tahirah Walker, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of organizational development and innovation and chair of the Department of Community Engagement & Leadership in the Rowland School of Business at Point Park University. Prior to joining the faculty of Point Park, Dr. Walker served as faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University and Bethany College. In her time at each institution, she enjoyed working in additional capacities of learning design manager, director of student support services and director of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Conference Details
For this in-person conference, we invite participants to submit completed papers or extended abstracts of 100–150 words (institutional affiliation and email).
Panel proposals should include a panel title, a rationale (250–500 words), and titles and abstracts (100–150 words) for up to five presentations. Additionally, please provide the institutional affiliation and email address of each presenter.
Submissions are due via%20email by April 30, 2026.
Please email Erik%20Garrett and Janie%20Fritz if you need an expedited decision.
Note: This is an in-person conference. However, we will host a virtual pre-conference on May 26 as a separate event with a separate registration fee. Submissions to the preconference should be sent via email.
The faculty planning committee includes Drs. Garnet Butchart, Janie Harden Fritz, Erik Garrett, Victor Grigsby, Andre E. Johnson and Annette Madlock.
Pittsburgh International Airport has direct international flights from London, UK
and easy connecting flights via major US cities. The airport is 18 miles, approximately
20 minutes, to Duquesne University.
A ride sharing service such as Uber is the fastest way to get from the airport to
Duquesne University. Hail a ride with your smartphone app and meet your driver outside
Baggage Claim Door #4 at the Arrivals Curb.
If you plan to use public transportation, the Port Authority bus 28X Airport Flyer stops downtown at Liberty Avenue at Wood Street. It will take approximately 15 minutes to walk to campus from there.
Please review our Duquesne University Campus Map to find your way to the Power Center Ballroom, where the conference will take place.
Parking is available at Duquesne's Forbes Garage, 1180 Forbes Avenue, for $20/day. After you have parked, walk to the Skywalk from the 8th floor of the elevator to the Power Center, crossing over Forbes Avenue below. Off campus parking is also available.
Nearest walkable (10-15 minutes)
Marriott City Center
112 Washington Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 471-4000
View reduced rate rooms
Cambria Hotel
1320 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 381-6687
Double Tree by Hilton
One Bigelow Sq, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 281-5800
Also walkable
Omni William Penn
530 William Penn Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 281-7100
Embassy Suites
535 Smithfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 338-2200
Hilton Garden Inn
250 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
(412) 683-2040
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
620 William Penn Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 471-1170
Located in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, Duquesne University is a vibrant, private institution known for its commitment to academic excellence and social justice. Duquesne University is home to the Simon Silverman Phenomenology Center, a hub for phenomenological research and scholarship, with extensive collections including the archives of prominent phenomenologists.