NEW YORK — The Center for American Progress has released its list of top “faith leaders to watch in 2015,” and Auburn Seminary’s Macky Alston, award-winning filmmaker and vice president for strategy, engagement, and media, is one of only fifteen selected. This recognition signals that Alston’s own prophetic voice and his ability to elevate others’ will continue moving progressive faith voices from the pews to the public square, and has the power to drive social change in 2015. The Center for American Progress stated that the leaders and faith advocates selected, “remind us how important faith voices are as we work together to create a more just and equitable nation.”
“Alston’s digital and theological expertise, combined with his strategic sensibility and engaging training style, promise to bring more religious leaders to national attention this year,” stated the Center for American Progress.
Alston continues to lead movements addressing the most pressing issues of our time, including LGBT rights, racial equality and climate change. Alston’s unique perspective, a graduate of Union Theological Seminary from a long line of ministers, makes him a critical voice in movements for justice. For example, his recent blog, “Leaders Like MLK Are Not a Thing of the Past,” highlights ways in which faith communities remain pivotal in social justice movements. “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for and we all must unleash our inner prophet,” stated Alston.
As a filmmaker, Alston’s award-winning films have included “Love Free or Die,” which premiered at Sundance Film Festival and was broadcast on PBS, as well as “Questioning Faith” which was featured on HBO. Alston has appeared on high-profile outlets, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, and The New York Times. Alston also founded Auburn Media, where he served as director for 10 years, and has helped equip other faith leaders across the country with the skills to shape national conversations. And recently, Auburn Seminary announced construction of a state-of-the-art flex studio space that will become the “Macky Alston Media Lab,” in recognition of his impact — the more than 5,000 voices of faith and moral courage that Alston and his team have trained.
“Auburn Seminary is proud of the entrepreneurial and faithful spirit that Macky Alston has brought to it through the creation of Auburn Media,” stated Auburn Seminary President Rev. Dr. Katharine Rhodes Henderson. “Over a decade ago, Auburn Seminary identified a glaring need for a wider range of visible leaders, who could frame pressing public issues from a faith perspective. Macky Alston has become a trusted guide to many who realize that today’s pulpit is often the media.”
To book an interview with Macky Alston, please contact Camino Public Relations at 212-255-2575.
###
Auburn Theological Seminary equips bold and resilient leaders who can bridge religious divides, build community, pursue justice, and heal the world. Learn more at www.AuburnSeminary.org.
