Black Protestants

Black Protestants aren’t least likely to get a vaccine; white evangelicals are
(RNS) — A new survey by Pew Research shows that 64% of Black Protestants ‘definitely or probably’ plan to get vaccinated, compared to 54% of white evangelicals.

Faith leaders urge clemency for Okla. death row inmate, cite mounting evidence

Dozens of houses of worship, one DC street, a 9-year photo project

Human Rights Campaign urges Black church LGBTQ acceptance via video
(RNS) — The video features prominent church leaders and LGBTQ advocates sharing their perspectives — and sometimes evolving attitudes — on LGBTQ identity while images highlight Black history and congregational life.

Dwight McKissic living at seminary after storm: ‘God is making sure our needs are met’
(RNS) — The Texas pastor said any differences he may have with seminary President Adam Greenway did not prompt him to refuse an offer of housing.

How Philadelphia’s Black churches overcame disease, depression and civil strife
(The Conversation) — The story of how three Black churches endured events similar to those afflicting society today can give both solace and hope.

Washington taps pastors to overcome racial divide on vaccine
(AP) — Health officials in the nation’s capital are hoping religious leaders will serve as community influencers to overcome what officials say is a persistent vaccine reluctance in the Black community.

Want to understand Black experience? Learn about African American faith, survey finds
(RNS) — A significant percentage of Black church attendees — 69% — agree that pastors of Black congregations are the African American community’s most important leaders.

Faith, medical leaders collaborate to get COVID-19 vaccine in arms of more people
(RNS) — ‘A really wonderful facet of this work is the multifaith cooperation that we’re seeing already,’ said White House official Melissa Rogers.

Poor People’s Campaign meets with Joe Manchin, vows to protest for $15 minimum wage
(RNS) — ‘We are trying to get (Manchin) to live up to what he was told when he was a kid: If you have all these blessings, then you can share your blessings,’ said Jean Evansmore, a West Virginia resident.

Black history can’t be told without the Bible
(RNS) — Black Christian heroes knew that the Bible had to be at the center of life as free men and women in the United States.

Chanequa Walker-Barnes resurrects self-care as a Lenten practice
(RNS) — After a year in which everyone has already given up an awful lot, this Lent the theologian is inviting others to join her for the Resurrecting Self-Care Challenge.

Yolanda Pierce on grandmother theology, Black Jesus and Mariology
(RNS) — ‘I’m really trying to shift the discourse about who can do theology and what counts as theological source material,’ says the first woman dean of Howard University’s divinity school and the author of the new book, ‘In My Grandmother’s House: Black Women, Faith, and the Stories We Inherit.’

Can I get an amen? Black Americans’ faith, religious practice detailed in Pew study
(RNS) — Senior researcher Besheer Mohamed said that for Black American church shoppers, ‘the race of a congregation and the race of leadership would be not that important.’

Urban Ministries’ Melvin Banks, who highlighted Black experience in Bible, dies at 86
(Urban Faith) — Banks revolutionized Bible study by portraying positive images of African Americans in the biblical experience.