Our Mission

Open Plaza, a theological & religious multimedia public square, amplifies the intellectual and cultural contributions of HTI scholars in conversation with artists and activists by generating conversations that merge their academic knowledge with communal wisdom, cultivating narrative sovereignty and serving social change

What We Do

A Multimedia Public Square

Open Plaza creates space for conversations that matter. We bring together three powerful forces:

• Scholars  who bring theological depth and academic rigor
• Artists  who imagine new possibilities through creative expression
• Activists  who transform communities through grassroots action

Together, they explore the questions that shape our world: How does faith speak to injustice? What wisdom emerges when scholarship meets street-level experience? How can theology serve liberation?

Real Conversations, Real Impact

Here's what this looks like in practice: A theologian studying ancient rituals of lament illuminates an activist's community healing work. A spoken word artist challenges a scholar's understanding of hope. A grassroots organizer reveals new dimensions of sacred texts through lived struggle. These aren't abstract discussions. They're vibrant exchanges captured in:

• Podcasts featuring in-depth dialogues
• Written reflections that dive deep into urgent issues
• Video conversations that bring ideas to life
• Creative collaborations that imagine new futures

Why It Matters

Centering Latine Voices

At the heart of Open Plaza lies narrative sovereignty—the fundamental right of communities to tell their own stories, interpret their own experiences, and shape their own theological reflections. For too long, academic and religious spaces have extracted knowledge from marginalized communities without honoring their wisdom or agency. We're changing that. By centering Latine scholars and their dialogue partners, we ensure that those who live these realities lead these conversations.

From Knowledge to Action

We believe authentic scholarship doesn't just describe social change—it serves it. Every podcast episode, every article, every creative work contributes to a larger transformation: reimagining how faith and intellect can:

• Address systemic injustices
• Heal divided communities
• Build more equitable futures
• Honor the sacred in struggle

This isn't just about producing content. It's about cultivating a movement where academic excellence and community wisdom merge to create real change.