How to have hard conversations

Dr. Gregory Ellison II grew up in Southwest Atlanta and was a student at Frederick Douglass High School—just 10 miles from Emory University. Despite its proximity, he had no idea Emory existed. When a scholarship interview brought him to campus during his junior year, Ellison realized he could have a significant impact at the university. Now an associate professor in the Candler School of Theology, he speaks to host Josh Newton about how words of wisdom from beloved Emory professors shaped his life and ultimately led him back to the university.

Ellison is the founder of Fearless Dialogues, which helps groups have transformative conversations that embrace differences and cultivate hope. Discover how the idea for these talks came from an unexpected place: a public forum on Emory’s campus that attracted nearly 400 community members just three weeks after the George Zimmerman verdict in 2013. Plus, hear what happens when Ellison asks a question of his own during this episode of Walk and Talk.