Race & Ethnicity
In ‘Gospel’ docuseries, Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores Black church’s music, ministers
By Adelle M. Banks — February 9, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Gates reveals early tension within the genres as some musicians held to music only of faith and others were comfortable far afield from gospel music.
Meet ‘The Autism Pastor’ Lamar Hardwick: Preacher, author, cancer warrior
By Kathryn Post — February 8, 2024
(RNS) — Hardwick recently retired as lead pastor of Tri-Cities Church in East Point, Georgia, as he receives ongoing treatment for stage 4 cancer.
‘Genius: MLK/X’ docudrama depicts the personal lives of the two civil rights activists
By Adelle M. Banks — February 1, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The series includes scenes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, at home with their families and discussing their faith.
Franklin Graham’s border tour draws 20,000 signers demanding its cancelation
By Yonat Shimron — January 29, 2024
(RNS) — Critics are calling the 10-city tour 'hypocritical' and denouncing what they say are Graham's 'anti-immigrant' views.
Massachusetts man threatened to kill Jews as antisemitic incidents rise
By Yonat Shimron — January 29, 2024
(RNS) — The 59-year-old Massachusetts man is alleged to have called Congregation Agudas Achim, a synagogue in Attleboro, and left a voicemail threatening to kill Jews.
Agriculture Department, COGIC make plans for funds to add trees to urban centers
By Adelle M. Banks — January 23, 2024
(RNS) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said ‘structuring this program so that it's empowering more tree planting and more workforce development gives us the opportunity to partner with the church.’
Dexter Scott King, son of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., dies of cancer at 62
By Associated Press — January 22, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — Dexter Scott King, the younger son of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, died Monday after battling prostate cancer.
Dozens of Black churches receive total of $4 million for historic preservation
By Adelle M. Banks — January 15, 2024
(RNS) — This year’s grants, which range from $50,000 to $200,000, will allow congregations to address issues such as mold contamination, demolition, water filtration and deferred maintenance.
Biden calls out ‘poison’ of white supremacy in address at Mother Emanuel in S.C.
By Adelle M. Banks — January 8, 2024
(RNS) — Biden’s remarks were interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters shouting for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. In return, people in the pews started calling out “Four More Years.”
Biden to visit Mother Emanuel AME Church as South Carolina primaries approach
By Adelle M. Banks — January 5, 2024
(RNS) — ‘I would hope and pray that the community comes and hears and gets excited, gets energized about the 2024 election,’ said the church’s pastor.
Pandemic boosted resilience, hurt financial health of Black churches, says report
By Adelle M. Banks — January 4, 2024
(RNS) — A new report highlights the challenges faced by Black and multiracial congregations, as well as their resilience, in the wake of COVID-19.
As a Muslim, I condemn attacks on all civilians. President Biden should, too.
By Nihad Awad — December 22, 2023
(RNS) — Condemnation of the Israeli government is not the same as — and must never cross the line into — antisemitism.
Black American solidarity with Palestinians is rising and testing longstanding ties to Jewish allies
By Noreen Nasir and Aaron Morrison — December 18, 2023
(AP) — The recent rise of protest movements against police brutality in the U.S. has connected Black and Palestinian activists under a common cause.
Survey: Antisemitism at US campuses limited to select schools
By Yonat Shimron — December 15, 2023
(RNS) — The survey of 51 public and private universities from The Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University found a small number of 'hotspot' schools where Jewish students faced a hostile environment.
Black church coalition names reparations, voting, health equity among priorities
By Adelle M. Banks — December 14, 2023
(RNS) — ‘There are so many pressing issues, from the future of COVID-19 and mental health to gun violence and voting rights, that must be addressed,’ said CNBC Chairman W. Franklyn Richardson.
