Presented at the A Contemplation of Glory Conference 2021.

As classical educators we aim to help our students understand and pursue truth, goodness and beauty. In this session we focus on “goodness” as this applies to what it means to work toward goodness in oneself and one’scommunity. Our guides here are Anna Julia Cooper and Martin Luther King, Jr., two black intellectuals who put their faith and learning into action to address difficult issues of their times. As we engage their thought, we use insights from their writing to reflect on how best to cultivate goodness in ourselves and our communities. Session participants will be provided with a simple journal to begin or continue the practice of keeping a commonplace book, a compilation of quotations and personal reflections that help us to think and live well.