The Heritage Lectureship Series, established in 1999, is held each February. Dr. Albert Aymer established the lecture series to celebrate the heritage of Hood Theological Seminary and to help create a broader academic environment for seminary students and faculty. The public is cordially invited to attend all lecture series sponsored by the seminary.

In 2012, the Seminary renamed the lecture series the Bishop Alfred E. and Mamie White Heritage Lectureship Series.

Bishop Alfred E. White was recognized as a compassionate and innovative pastor, building character and churches. His tenure as pastor culminated at Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in Hartford, Connecticut, where he served for 22 years and gained notable recognition as a powerful preacher and spiritual leader. The key to his success as a pastor stemmed from the fact that his work was produced by faith, his labors were prompted by love, and his endurance was inspired by faith and hope in Jesus Christ.

His denominational involvements spanned years of dedicated service to the A.M.E. Zion Church. His ability to motivate and his sensitive and caring leadership in the capacity as Presiding Elder of the Hartford District earned Alfred E. White the reputation of being a “Pastor’s pastor.” His thirst for knowledge and his considerable pastoral experiences made Bishop White an exceptional and respected instructor at Hartford Theological Seminary and Livingstone College. He was described as “a staunch advocate of ecumenicalism and for social justice among people of diverse faiths.”

The AME Zion Church recognized the extraordinary gifts of Alfred E. White when in August 1984 the denomination’s General Conference elected him as the 80th bishop in succession in the A.M.E. Zion Church.

Bishop White’s leadership extended to the wider community where he served on numerous Boards and Commissions, including 13 years as chairman of the Human Relations Commission of the City of Hartford. He also had a great love for music and was an accomplished violinist who played with the Hartford Civic Orchestra and often accompanied the Chancel Choir of Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church.