Prescott News – The Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center and The Yavapai College Foundation proudly present an inspiring evening about renewing personal connections and mending our divided world. Join us for Building Stronger Communities: An Evening with Naomi Tutu, Thursday night April 10, at 7 p.m.
Rev. Tutu’s discussion will explore the concept of Ubuntu, an African philosophy that focuses on personal connections and a broad sense of compassion as a way of building and strengthening communities. Rev. Tutu praises the philosophy of Ubuntu, and its surprising ability to heal societal divisions and empower individuals, as well.
“I hope that people would experience empowerment,” she said in a recent YC & You Podcast. “I hope they would sense their own power in the world and the fact that we need the human being that they are to step up. I hope they experience joy and humor and … feel a sense of connectedness with the people they share the room with, the rest of humanity and the rest of God’s creation.”
Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu is the third child of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Born into a family at the forefront of the anti-apartheid struggle, Naomi Tutu’s early life was shaped by contradictions: Being the daughter of a ‘global icon,’ yet being Black and female in a system of institutionalized racial oppression.
Her experiences ignited her passion to advocate against oppression. Rev. Tutu’s career has included work as an educator, development consultant, and activist for race and gender equality. Initially resistant to following her father into the ministry, she accepted the calling in her 50’s and became an Episcopal priest. Today, as Associate Rector at All Saints Church in Beverly Hills, Naomi continues to intertwine advocacy and faith.
In her Prescott address – a fundraiser for women’s athletics at Yavapai College – Naomi will share experiences from her storied past that illustrate how respect for oneself and others are building blocks toward stronger relationships and compassionate communities.
“I hope people come away from [the event] with a sense of hope,” Tutu said. “With all the craziness going on in the world today, there is cause to hope for better. This is not the end of the story.”
Tickets for Building Stronger Communities: An Evening with Naomi Tutu start at $49. Premium VIP tickets are available, which include choice floor seating and a post-event meet-and-greet reception. All proceeds go to support Yavapai College Women’s Athletics.
You can listen to Naomi Tutu’s entire YC & You podcast interview here: https://cast11.com/yc-you-a-yavapai-college-podcast/
The Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center is located on Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus, 1100 E. Sheldon Street, in Prescott. For reservations or more information, please contact The Ticket Office, open Tuesday – Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Thursday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Or please call: (928) 776-2000 or visit: www.ycpac.com