Diversity & Inclusion: The Wilderness of Unlearning
"During the racial reckoning of 2020, I began to understand something profound: Jesus, a brown, immigrant child born into poverty and unjustly lynched, mirrors the experiences of many Black and Brown people—descendants of immigrants born into poverty and unjustly lynched throughout history. This realization forces us to..."
DOC | Black South Rising: Charlotte’s Mostly Black and Brown Government
After massive protests followed the police shooting of a black man in 2016, the city of Charlotte took the unprecedented move of electing a majority-minority leadership. VICE's Alzo Slade takes a deep dive into how one African-American leader is navigating centuries-old economic barriers in the pursuit of a more just society.
Liberated to Love: Transforming Generations Through Collective Healing
But what could happen when we collectively decide to break free from fear? It's something those in power conveniently overlook. They're all about crushing the vulnerable when they're down, thinking that's the end of the story. But what they fail to grasp is the resilience of the generations that rise after surviving the horrors of mass genocide, whether it's in Gaza, Cuba, Sudan, or right here in America—hidden beneath the facade of a justice system that was birthed out of the erasure of Black and Indigenous people.
Black American Christians: An Introduction
A lesson taught in my MTC cohort experience is being able to affirm and reject what I am taught and information I am given about culture and the world recognizing that no one is without bias. This was taught to us so that we can affirm and reject thoughts and ideologies that do not allow us to be a faithful witness of Jesus and the Biblical story. I am a Black man in America who also identifies as a disciple of Jesus. I believe an expansive part of The Black American story as it relates to being a witness of Jesus was lacking in…
Redefining Greatness Through Black Well-Being
A stronger, more vibrant Black community is an integral component of a more prosperous America. For anyone who has had the opportunity to witness the evolving dynamics of American society, there's a resounding call from the conservative right to "Make America Great Again." However, I firmly contend that for America to truly embody greatness, it must prioritize…
From Mammy to Minister: The Evolution of a Black Woman's Struggle
Three days later, the pastor called me into his back office, sat me down, and the only thing he said to me was, “I probably should have done this a long time ago, but I'm going to have to let you go.” And just like that, the church my family had found when I was in first grade—the church I fell in love with after doing an internship at 13—after working full time since 18—I was now 26 years old and fired. Deep inside of me, I still believed the Lord wanted me in ministry. I just didn't know how, I didn't know when, and I'd honestly kind of given up on the dream.