In this final piece, I will argue that “Black evangelicals” should (re)join historically Black denominations and assist in their strengthening in order to pursue racial reconciliation from a denominational level. They can do this by focusing their time, gifts, talents, and resources. In the previous series installments, I explained that some Black evangelicals have adopted […]
To the women who came forward and engaged the public about their experiences with Russell Simmons, I’m in solidarity with you. Speaking truth to power is freedom and being believed is healing. And your freedom, your healing is long overdue. Black women’s freedom is long overdue. We live in a culture that does not always […]
In the first part of this series, I provided an analysis of the use of biblical and theological concepts among some who promote the notion of racial reconciliation. I argued that exclusive emphasis on texts about unity and oneness functionally operates in a way of discrediting any analysis of or commitment to sub-groups within the […]
Over the past few years, there have been some reports of a “Quiet Exodus” from White evangelical[1] churches by Black members.[2] Amidst recent rhetoric about racial reconciliation, this seems to suggest that Evangelicals have failed in this task. However, the continued support of the current president among the majority of White Evangelicals may shed some […]
This is the 3rd Interview for A Series of Stories Exploring Black and Brown Perspectives on Work and its Worth. — When Ricardo tells me, “I don’t need a pulpit at work because everywhere is the pulpit,” I’m inclined to believe him. He’s the only person I know that can use chicken and the gospel […]
As a Black man widely tutored in White evangelicalism, I was conditioned to see James Cone as a heretic. When I first read him years ago, I also considered Cone’s theology to be dangerous. His claims of God’s blackness and a Christology rooted firmly in Christ’s solidarity with the oppressed cut against what I considered […]
I met Samantha in the ninth grade. I believe the term we used to describe our friendship then was “batty and bench.” Years later, she was a bridesmaid (and sang) at my wedding. She was also in the room when my first son was born. From the time I’ve known her, she’s always tried to […]
As a Black man in this line of work, I have to choose my battles & words carefully.
We have been forced, due to a lack of progress and an overall apathy, to become the freedom fighters of our own lives.
I am honored that my friends and colleagues across multiple industries have trusted me with their stories and have graciously allowed me to share them. I hope their varied journeys, motivations, struggles, disappointments, hopes, and practical advice help us grow as believers, provide insight, comfort, and stir hope in God. But first, here’s a bit […]
It was a spring afternoon and I was returning home from a pretty good day in high school. I got a smile from my crush, popped some lunch table jokes off at my friends’ expense, and my all-white Forces stayed clean. I was winding down the day with my ritual of sinking into my headphones […]
In our story, the black story, we have the best of us and we have the worst of us.
We are viewed as problems to be solved rather than people to be admired.
Christians, of all people, should care about words. Our entire faith is communicated through and founded on them. The first verses of the first book of the Bible communicate the power of words. How did God create the heavens and the earth? The Lord spoke. “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was […]
The year was 1963. Many Blacks in Birmingham, Alabama gathered together in the oft familiar place of solace and shelter: 16th Street Baptist Church. As a place of influence, it became a location of mass meetings for Civil Rights leaders. Tensions increased as the movement became deeply involved in the depressing struggle for racial justice. […]
A few nights ago, I had the pleasure of dining with three good friends. We span decades and are all women of color. As we caught up on each other’s lives, I shared about a decision my husband and I made to transfer our sons from the Christian school where they’d be attending for the […]
Christology runs through the veins of the Negro Spirituals.
The concept of victimhood is treated irresponsibly when presented incompletely.
What we do daily is who are eternally.
When we suffer in 2019, remember God’s grace will be sufficient just as his resurrecting & transformative grace was sufficient for us in our suffering in 2018.
