Adelle M. Banks
Adelle M. Banks, production editor and a national reporter, joined RNS in 1995. An award-winning journalist, she previously was the religion reporter at the Orlando Sentinel and a reporter at The Providence Journal and newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Syracuse and Binghamton.

Black churchgoers report powerlessness in politics, agency in Black congregations
(RNS) — Researchers say that the Black church may be providing a respite for Black people who feel they do not have sufficient political power.

Martin Luther King Jr. faith events continue in time of COVID-19 and Capitol chaos
(RNS) — Many online gatherings that mark King’s birthday and the holiday in his honor will apply his messages to the current crises the country is facing.

Moms of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin portrayed in new book
(RNS) — The book by Anna Malaika Tubbs about Alberta King, Louise Little and Berdis Baldwin provides details of their lives of faith, discipline and sacrifice.

Joanne Rogers, widow of ‘Mr. Rogers,’ dead at age 92
(RNS) — The longtime partner of Fred Rogers continued aiding organizations in Pittsburgh — where her husband’s program was produced — as recently as last year.

James Clyburn to propose designating ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ as the national hymn
(RNS) — The Democratic congressman from South Carolina said elevating the hymn — often described as the unofficial ‘Black national anthem’ — could be an act of healing.

Southern Baptist leaders meet after critical race theory document caused controversy
(RNS) — African American leaders and seminary presidents said they had an ‘honest and open conversation’ during the virtual meeting earlier in the week.

Prominent bishop of AME Zion Church suspended, faces financial accusations
(RNS) — A longtime ecumenical leader, Powell has been ordered to not represent the AME Zion Church in civic or ecumenical organizations.

Russell Moore, Justin Giboney warn that conspiracies must be confronted with truth
(RNS) — Both urged religious people to rise above the rhetoric that helped lead to the riot at the Capitol.

Pixar adviser and theologian Suzan Johnson Cook on how they came to define ‘soul’ in the film
(RNS) — ‘I’m a faith leader, so I wanted to make sure my definition wasn’t too strong, and (Pixar’s) definition wasn’t too weak,’ the minister and former ambassador said.

Warnock, pastor and politician, has role models who did both
(RNS) — It would not be the first time an ordained member of the clergy has chosen to take on the political life of Capitol.

Faith leaders and religion influencers who died in 2020
(RNS) — Losses in the religion world included people known for their contributions to preaching, civil rights or music.

SBC seminary president: Recent race statement not about ‘preserving whiteness’
(RNS) — Adam Greenway, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, defended Southern Baptist seminary presidents’ determination about critical race theory.

Faithful Black descendants hope reparations after Florida massacre will be a model
(RNS) — ‘They left with nothing,’ said the leader of a Rosewood-related foundation. ‘Livestock was gone, houses burned to the ground, couldn’t go to church.’

Luter, Greear latest Southern Baptist leaders to weigh in as turmoil over race theory grows
(RNS) — The fallout from a statement on critical race theory by six seminary presidents continued, as prominent Black leaders and their churches answer with objections or quit the SBC.

Fifth Jehovah’s Witness receives six-year sentence in Russia for practicing his faith
(RNS) — Yuriy Savelyev was ‘charged with organizing the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ when his home was raided in 2018.