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.
All Stories by Adelle M. Banks
Florida faith leader: Black history toolkit gains interest outside the state
By Adelle M. Banks — October 13, 2023
(RNS) — What the Rev. Rhonda Thomas started as a state-focused response has attracted interest in a far wider stretch of the country than she ever imagined.
Black churches play a key role in connecting communities to broadband internet
By Adelle M. Banks and Yonat Shimron — October 6, 2023
(RNS) — ‘There are churches near, and people near, places where there are no internet carriers at all,’ said the Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner.
Vatican, other faith leaders join in push for end of death penalty in Louisiana
By Adelle M. Banks — September 29, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We think that the clearing of Louisiana’s death row would be a monumental step towards the abolition of the death penalty,’ Vatican agency head said.
AME Bishop Silvester Beaman named chair of White House council on African engagement
By Adelle M. Banks — September 27, 2023
(RNS) — ‘Bishop Beaman’s extensive experience and deep roots in Africa will enable him to lead the Council to achieve its full potential,’ the White House said.
National Association of Evangelicals launches test to assess, foster racial justice
By Adelle M. Banks — September 25, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We didn't really want to recreate the wheel,’ said NAE’s new racial justice and reconciliation expert. ‘We wanted to bridge a gap that was existing.’
National Cathedral windows shift from themes of Confederacy to racial justice
By Adelle M. Banks — September 23, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'There is a lot of work yet to be done to confront systemic racism,' said cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith.
From Rockettes to Riverside: Senior minister Adriene Thorne leads NYC church
By Adelle M. Banks — September 22, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I love bringing dancers that I know into the space,’ she said. ‘We had some at my installation.’
Sarah Jakes Roberts, pastor and T.D. Jakes’ daughter, now Time100 Next honoree
By Adelle M. Banks — September 19, 2023
(RNS) — ‘When your father is T.D. Jakes and you follow his footsteps into the world of ministry, there’s a lot of pressure to find your own voice,’ said Tyler Perry in tribute.
From ‘Nights on Broadway’ to ‘1963’: Candi Staton recalls 16th St. Baptist bombing
By Adelle M. Banks — September 15, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I was thinking about trying to protect my children. And we had to drive right through the worst part of the riots — downtown Birmingham,’ she said.
Women at the first March on Washington: a secretary, a future bishop and a marshal
By Adelle M. Banks — August 17, 2023
(RNS) — ‘You wanted to present your best selves,’ recalled Bishop Vashti McKenzie, who was 16 at the time. ‘There was no one in jeans and T-shirts that I recall.’
Chanequa Walker-Barnes calls care of self vital to caring for others
By Adelle M. Banks — August 15, 2023
(RNS) — In her new book, ‘Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves,’ she describes, how to live with healthy habits, wise speech and regular laughter.
Progressive National Baptists gain partners to address voting rights, gun violence
By Adelle M. Banks — August 10, 2023
(RNS) — Members of the historically Black Protestant denomination also marked the ninth anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, in nearby Ferguson, Missouri.
Melvin Talbert, first United Methodist bishop to officiate same-sex wedding, dead at 89
By Adelle M. Banks — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — Talbert was recognized for his work on racial justice, LGBTQ advocacy and ecumenical cooperation.
Anne Graham Lotz, Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright on End Times, their health, their ministry
By Adelle M. Banks — August 4, 2023
(RNS) — The daughter and granddaughter of Billy Graham are out with their second joint book, ‘Preparing to Meet Jesus: A 21-Day Challenge to Move from Salvation to Transformation.’
Vice President Harris critiques Florida’s slavery view at AME churchwomen’s meeting
By Adelle M. Banks — August 1, 2023
(RNS) — Harris said she felt ‘at home’ among the African Methodist Episcopal Church members as she recalled her own Christian upbringing in Oakland, California.
