Current Events
Five faith facts about former President Barack Obama’s new book: ‘A Promised Land’
A Promised Land,” only mentions four pages in its index under the category “faith and.” But the title of the book by the 44th U.S. president invokes biblical imagery — a land promised by God to his people — and Obama includes the role of religious institutions, faith leaders and personal traditions.
Homeless Shelters Grapple With COVID Safety as Cold Creeps In
As winter weather moves in, there’s less room at the shelters for those in need — threatening to leave many, literally, out in the cold. Shelters and churches are stepping up in the face of a challenging situation.
‘We’ve worked for it:’ Barbara Lee on the future of Black women in leadership
California Rep. Barbara Lee talks about Kamala Harris’ Senate seat and House leadership in 2021.
Black Christian News Roundup
Election reflections, spiritual expressions virtual event, Juan and Lisa Winans on faith, marriage, and COVID, and more…
‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture goes viral after 911 call
Recently, a life-size bronze sculpture of Jesus, called Homeless Jesus, went viral after someone made a 911 call about a homeless man on a bench. The bronze sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz depicts Jesus, identifiable by the wounds on his feet, sleeping on a street bench wrapped in a blanket.
Protecting abuse survivors is ‘personal,’ says new Southern Baptist leader
“You don’t have to solve it but you need to listen and share with them how much you care and what has happened to them is not what God would have happen in the church.” — Rev. Rolland Slade
‘High-Church Pentecostal’ leader J. Delano Ellis dies at 75
Bishop J. Delano Ellis II, a church official who started Pentecostal organizations and emphasized ecumenism, died over the weekend.
For Grandparents Day, Women Honor Daughters Lost to Black Maternal Mortality Crisis
A group of mothers whose daughters died from pregnancy-related complications marked the holiday by committing to end stark health care disparities.
Kamala Harris sees HBCUs as ‘family.’ How do they see her?
Howard University shaped the history making senator. In turn, HBCU graduates hope she will raise the national profile of their institutions and push the party forward.
Rev. Al Sharpton, families of police shooting victims join march on Washington
Preachers, politicians and family members of Black people who had been killed or shot by police gathered on the National Mall on the anniversary of the March on Washington.
Faith-based ‘violence interrupters’ stop gang shootings with promise of redemption
Gun violence has killed hundreds of Americans, including kids, this summer. There are proven ways to bring peace to city streets, says an expert in violence prevention – but someone has to pay for it.
Popular YouTube channel documents what it is like to be black in Japan
Popular YouTube channel and website “The Black Experience Japan” features interviews with dozens of Black residents of Japan.
Tributes Pour in on Social Media, Honoring the Life of Rep. John Lewis
Civil Rights icon and ordained Baptist minister Rep. John Lewis, 80, died on Friday, July 17. Tributes continue to pour in on social media, honoring a man many considered the “the conscience of the U.S. Congress.”
Months into COVID-19, funeral directors and clergy continue to innovate death care
Spurred by lockdowns, funeral homes, green burial conservations and houses of faith are innovating to adjust to a new normal of death care.
Tip Your Cap to the Negro Leagues!
Former presidents and scores of baseball players, professional athletes, sports executives, entertainers, journalists, and more join in an unprecedented tribute to the 100th anniversary of the founding of baseball’s Negro Leagues.
Kanye’s running for president — and his platform has a lot of God in it
The rapper hinted that his presidential run may be his most overt fusion of faith and politics yet, with religion impacting everything from his decision to run to his views on vaccines.
America’s Black Female Mayors on National Stage During Crisis
Four decades after Ellen Craig-Jones of Urbancrest, Ohio, became the US’s first Black woman mayor, seven of the nation’s largest cities are lead by Black women. And what a time to be in charge.
‘Racialized policing’ program takes faith leaders from grief to action
As the White House and Congress debate nationwide actions, participants say they have come away from their studies with determination to push for change in their communities.