Hosted by The Candler Foundry, Candler in Conversation invites Candler faculty, students, staff, and alumni to engage in dialogue on issues of faith, theology, and public life.
The Revolution of Joy with Carlton Mackey (Black Men Smile)
What happens when you can't find the thing you need, so you create it for the world?
In this episode of The Scholar Unscripted, host Cristha Lea talks with Candler alum and 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Carlton Mackey, founder of Black Men Smile. He had no idea what questions were coming. The conversation covers being broken down and rebuilt at Candler, including trips to Ghana and South Africa that reshaped how he understood his Black identity. Carlton explains why "who am I?" is only half of the question, and why the other half is "how do I know?"
Carlton tells the origin story of Black Men Smile, which began when he searched for images of joy during a painful time and couldn't find a single photo of a Black man smiling. He reflects on the light metaphor in his short film Black Brilliance and explains why he calls love and gratitude "the currency of abundance." He also shares a fear he has hidden for years: his hands and legs shake when he speaks. He is facing that fear head-on at TheoEd this October, with no notes and no podium.
If you've been given an idea and don't know where to start, Carlton has advice. Pay attention to what brings you joy and what breaks your heart, because both are pointing somewhere.
✦ Watch Carlton's TheoEd talk at theoed.com
✦ Candler in Conversation is produced by The Candler Foundry at Emory University's Candler School of Theology.
25 Sept 2026
What Spiritual Care Looks Like in African Traditions
What if spiritual care was measured by the real difference it makes in people’s lives? Dr. Emmanuel Lartey invites us to rethink how faith, healing, and community are deeply connected in African religious traditions—and what that could mean for Christian ministry and everyday spiritual practice. This conversation explores how authentic spiritual care is practical, relational, and rooted in the ways we show up for one another.
Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/ (https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/)
Dr. Lartey shares stories from his own family and ministry, challenging us to see spirituality not just as belief, but as a way of relating—to God, to others, and even to those who have gone before us. If you’re curious about how faith can be more tangible, communal, and life-giving, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/ (https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/)
18 Sept 2026
What Does It Mean to Take Spiritual Risks?
What does it really mean to take a risk for your faith, your calling, or your community? Actor and first-year Candler student Cedric Mays shares how embodying a character on stage is a lot like living out your faith—both require opening yourself up, taking risks, and letting something deeper transform you. His story invites us to consider what it means to truly commit to the work God calls us to, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Cedric reflects on how his background in theater shapes his approach to theology, Bible study, and community at Candler School of Theology. This conversation is an honest look at how art, faith, and risk intersect in everyday life. Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/
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