BN SeaCon 2024, Revival of Reason 2025, and Community

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): A Further Inquiry

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/04/23

Mandisa Thomas, president of Black Nonbelievers Inc., discussed the success of BN SeaCon 2024, highlighting its vibrant community, inspiring speakers, and positive attendee feedback. She praised Labadee as a standout port and emphasized the importance of early registration for BN SeaCon 2025. Thomas introduced Revival of Reason 2025, a secular gathering focusing on activism, justice, and community building. It featured speakers like Mubarak Bala and performances from Godless Gospel, the event aims to empower nonbelievers. She stressed the need for continued support, engagement, and optimism in the secular movement, urging participation in upcoming initiatives to strengthen the community.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today, we are here with Mandisa Thomas. She is the president and founder of Black Nonbelievers Inc. She is based in Atlanta, in the United States. It has been a few months since we last talked, and a lot has happened—both in the movement generally and in the work you have been doing. So, first things first, we will start on a high note and try to end on a high note as well. How was BN SeaCon 2024?

Mandisa Thomas: It was fantastic Scott, thank you for asking! We had a complete program featuring Chris Cameron, author of Black Freethinkers, Teddy Reeves, the religion curator at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. We screened the film God Talk, which featured me and other BN members.

We also featured Kristie Puckett, an abolitionist from Charlotte, North Carolina, Candace Gorham and Deana Williams. Deana and Chris are now on the BN board, and we discussed organizational updates and improvements. 

All of our cruise conventions are great, but this one, in particular, felt especially inspiring. It fostered strong community building, and attendees truly appreciated that. Many of the attendees expressed excitement about returning.

This was our first time sailing with Royal Caribbean, on the Independence of the Seas, and while it is one of their older ships, it was very state-of-the-art. People liked their accommodations, the food, and the nice conference room. The ship’s onboard activities were great too.

Jacobsen: What was the feedback from participants, and how were the speakers and keynotes received?

Thomas: Oh, wow, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone had a fantastic time, and the overall sentiment was that the experience was enjoyable and rewarding. There were varying opinions on the ship’s features and amenities, but everyone enjoyed the speakers and sessions. We also received rave reviews on the organization of the event itself, which was truly appreciated.

As far as the speakers, many topics were covered, including justice for incarcerated individuals and reproductive health. Chris Cameron talked about his journey from being incarcerated to becoming a professor and an atheist. Alfred “Dragnauct” Mimms discussed how to debate Christian creationists, and Candace Gorham led us with some mindfulness meditation.

We also hosted one of our After Dark sessions, where we unpacked sex and sexuality, especially given the incoming Presidential administration. We always have dinner together in the ship’s main dining room, which leads to great conversations, and some impromptu planning. For example, one night, a group of us went to see the ice skating show that was featured.

Jacobsen: If you had to rank your ports of call, would it be Miami, Labadee, or Falmouth?

Thomas: My number one was Labadee, it was fantastic! At the beginning of the year, people were worried about visiting that port because of the political unrest that arose in Haiti. There was so much going on that people were understandably concerned.

There were some cancellations to Labadee earlier in the year, however, because Labadee is a private port operated by Royal Caribbean. When I tell you it was beautiful, I genuinely mean it. The port provided an opportunity to learn about the history of that part of Haiti and the local people. It is very well maintained; the beaches, landscape, and everything about it was stunning.

I’m glad they kept Labadee as part of the itinerary. By the time we arrived, concerns about the unrest had eased, and it was clear that the port was very safe. It is well-secured and separate from the rest of the island, with the unrest occurring hundreds—if not thousands—of miles away.

Everyone who got off the ship was pleased with Labadee. The experience was breathtaking, and I gave it a five-star rating.

Jacobsen: For those who want to attend in 2025—which is approaching faster than people think—what should they keep in mind about pricing, attendance, and early bird registration?

Thomas: BN SeaCon will return in 2025, and we will sail on the Carnival Horizon. We have sailed on that ship twice before, and it is amazing.

It is always best to make your deposit early. We have had some challenges with the booking link because we are trying to make it easier for those who want to book with double occupancy—whether with partners or family members. There have been a few hiccups, but we have fixed them.

When we send out updates about what to expect for the cruise, we ask attendees to review them carefully. We must also always check the guidelines and regulations of the cruise line and the expectations set by BN. We want everyone to have a wonderful and fulfilling experience and strive to make the event as inclusive and welcoming as possible.

While not everyone will necessarily get along, the experience is so engaging that many attendees form lifelong friendships and connections. It is also important to consider the extra packages. The initial fare includes your cabin and convention registration, but additional expenses—such as Wi-Fi, beverage, and decor packages—should be considered when planning the trip.

It is an undertaking, and the financial aspect should be planned throughout the year. That is why it is always best to book, register, and budget in advance.

One important feature of cruising is that you can pay incrementally, which is how we structure our format. However, it is also essential to understand that there are associated costs for an organization that fundraises and hosts speakers. That being said, it is worth it.

We also strive to make it affordable and prepare attendees as much as possible. No one is ever left without information or support if needed. That is what we try to ensure—an all-inclusive, informative, and supportive experience.

Jacobsen: And one quick final note on that. Over the past several months, the movement has had natural hiccups. Mistakes happen, and personalities play a role, but I want to focus less on personalities and more on community. You spoke about the lifelong friendships people can make through a simple cruise. What is the importance of re-centering our movements on community rather than placing too much emphasis on personalities?

Thomas: I think personalities are a part of community—we cannot escape that. However, communities must incorporate a variety of elements. Focusing on the people, the issues we face, and how we address them together is crucial. And we must be careful not to prop up individuals to a standard of absolute perfection—otherwise, we risk becoming the institutions we criticize.

We would do ourselves a disservice by failing to recognize that, while there are many leaders in this movement, leadership comes with responsibility. While issues should be addressed, we must also be mindful of how we approach them and the severity of each situation.

We must not become unnecessarily punitive, especially toward individuals dedicated to the community and creating positive change. Of course, if someone is not acting in good faith, that is a different discussion. However, we should also uplift those focused on the community’s well-being.

I consider myself a personality to a large extent—people enjoy engaging with me, working with me, and appreciate my overall approach. However, my personality should never overshadow accountability, nor should unrealistic expectations be placed on any individual. We must ensure everyone has the proper support to do the necessary work.

Ultimately, the community should focus on people, resources, and collaboration. If there are strong personalities within said community, their actions should align with their influence, ensuring that their leadership remains rooted in genuine support and commitment to the movement.

Jacobsen: On other eventful, happy news, Revival of Reason 2025 happened before the 2025 cruise. What can you tell us about the Revival of Reason? Why is there a growing need for this kind of conference or event compared to other sociopolitical moments?

Thomas: Yes, the Revival of Reason plays on the idea of a traditional church revival or gathering. Typically, those events involve a weekend of music, food, song, and dance centred around worship and serving the church. However, we created the Revival of Reason, partly because of today’s political landscape.

We are witnessing the effects of Christian nationalism in the current presidential administration in the United States, and that is a significant concern. At the same time, people need to understand that organizations and communities exist where they can stay involved and engaged.

It was also an opportunity for attendees to learn about the work of Black Nonbelievers and our allies—those who support our mission. It was a chance to connect with fellow community members, especially when so many are experiencing despair. We wanted people to know that joy is still possible, that meaningful connections are still out there, and that there is a community advocating for evidence-based practices and solutions rooted in justice.

The event will also provide a space to connect with community creatives, activists, and others. And, of course, we had fun. There was learning, singing, dancing, access to resources, discussions on marginalized groups’ challenges, and strategies for working together as a community. It was a time to emphasize the importance of supporting our organization to uplift those who need us most.

Jacobsen: How are you doing? How are you feeling so far in the new year?

Thomas: It’s always a roller coaster ride, but so far, I’m good. 

Jacobsen: Regarding the Revival of Reason speakers, who were they, and what topics didthey be covering?

Thomas: Our keynote speaker will be activist Mubarak Bala, joining us virtually from Nigeria. For those who are not familiar, he was recently freed from prison after being charged and convicted of blasphemy, with his conviction later overturned. He has since been released, and we were fortunate enough to secure him as a speaker.

We had Candace Gorham, Chris Cameron, and Jeremiah Camara. Additionally, the Godless Gospel ensemble performed, featuring myself, Cynthia McDonald—who was a speaker—Nikki G from the Black Religious Trauma Network, and Shelley Segal as one of our performers. Tenzen, a BN member, participated.

We had Crea Santa from the Emory Secular Student Alliance at Emory University. The event featured a Spades tournament, a cookout, a homecoming ball, and a service project.

Jacobsen: What were your hopes regarding attendance, and key takeaways from the event?

Thomas: We realized that the Atlanta area was busy that weekend, with the Atlanta Auto Show taking place simultaneously. However, we were confident people would make time for Revival of Reason because of its importance.

The key takeaway is that Black Nonbelievers is still building back better. We have continued our work and have been improving and refining it with the same—if not more tremendous—enthusiasm and commitment to liberation that we have always championed.

We want people to know that we need support for this vital work. Whether through volunteering, donating, or becoming an official member—which we now actively encourage—we hope people see that our community is still vibrant. Black Nonbelievers is a thriving organization, and it will continue to grow stronger as more people get involved, support one another, and work together.

Jacobsen: Is there anything else we should consider as the year progresses? Legal and political challenges are ahead, but are there more positive things we can look forward to?

Thomas: Absolutely. I encourage people to get involved with their local communities and organizations. If an event resonates with you, please attend and support them, events like the upcoming BNSeaCon and recent the Revival of Reason. And if you cannot attend in person, you can still participate virtually.

It is also important to remember that many are still working on the ground, advocating on our behalf. Do not give up. Even in difficult times, know that there are communities out there to support you. We are all working together, and that is what matters.

Jacobsen: Mandisa, thank you very much for your time today. I appreciate it.

Thomas: All right. Thank you.

Jacobsen: Take care. Bye.

Thomas: You too. Bye-bye.

License & Copyright

In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. ©Scott Douglas Jacobsen and In-Sight Publishing 2012-Present. Unauthorized use or duplication of material without express permission from Scott Douglas Jacobsen strictly prohibited, excerpts and links must use full credit to Scott Douglas Jacobsen and In-Sight Publishing with direction to the original content.