Faith, culture, and inspiration celebrating the African American Christian experience
88 articles
The Gospel Music Association held a special Easter Celebration livestream on April 1, 2026, at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. Artists including Brooke Ligertwood, KB, and Passion performed live. The event was available for streaming throughout Holy Week on gospelmusic.org.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund awarded $13.5 million in preservation grants to historically Black churches in 2026. The funding went to 38 churches across the country for structural repairs, stained-glass restoration, and endowment building. Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta are among the recipients.
The National Black Church Initiative launched a social media campaign on April 19, 2026, called Vaccines Are Good for America, aimed at addressing immunization confusion in Black communities. The initiative is part of NBCI's broader effort to reduce racial health disparities.
Author Kristin T. Lee, whose new book explores her journey as an immigrant daughter navigating American Christianity, praised Black Christians for their authentic faith and willingness to critique the church. She spoke on a Presbyterian Church podcast in April 2026.
The 2026 Public Theology and Public Policy Conference at Yale brought together Black clergy, scholars, and activists from April 12 to 14 to develop voter mobilization strategies for the midterm elections. Rev. William Barber called on the Black Church to reclaim its prophetic voice and engage in targeted organizing.
Salem Baptist Church of Chicago co-hosted "Spend in the Black" on April 4, 2026, a faith-driven economic initiative aimed at directing consumer spending toward Black-owned businesses. The event featured a large-scale vendor marketplace where hundreds of thousands of dollars circulated in a single day.
Gospel artist Joy Holden released the official music video for "Victory Once More" on April 10, 2026. The release follows two Top 10 award nominations for her 2025 album "Surrounded."
Southern Gospel family group The Hyssongs signed with Horizon Records on April 8, 2026. Their debut single for the label, "Good News Savior," is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, as the group marks 30 years in music ministry.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund awarded 13.5 million dollars in grants in 2026 to 38 historically Black churches through its Preserving Black Churches program. The funding supports capital projects, endowment building, and programming. The grants recognize these churches as anchors of Black faith, culture, and community.
The Black 14 Philanthropy, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the College Football Hall of Fame donated 36,000 pounds of food to the Atlanta Community Food Bank on April 7, 2026. The donation brings the Black 14's total to 1.75 million pounds since 2020. Atlanta's food bank is now serving 70 percent more people than four years ago due to inflation.
Black Christian leaders across the country are organizing grassroots voter mobilization efforts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Pastor Mike McBride's Live Free nonprofit is hosting Sunday dinners in 10 cities to discuss political concerns, while the Rev. Traci Blackmon's Faith Out Loud project is active in 15 Southern cities. Leaders say the work continues the tradition of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Gospel Music Association held its GMA Easter Celebration livestream on April 1, 2026, featuring performances by Brooke Ligertwood, Benjamin William Hastings, KB, and Passion. The event was filmed at the World Stage Theater at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., and streamed exclusively on gospelmusic.org.
Black Christian leaders across the country are organizing community dinners, voter registration drives, and online forums to mobilize voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Pastors and faith organizers say they are drawing directly from strategies used during the Civil Rights Movement to build civic power in their congregations.
The Elevate Conference, the UK's premier gathering for Christian and gospel music professionals, is scheduled for April 23, 2026, at King's House in London. The full-day event will include keynotes, panels, and networking for artists, executives, and producers, with free tickets available for industry professionals under 30.
The Black Health Matters Foundation launched its Our Health Our Wellness national campaign in April 2026, targeting health disparities in underserved communities. The campaign covers Alzheimer's, cancer, heart health, mental health, and vaccinations, with resources available in English and Spanish.
Baylor University's Black Gospel Music Preservation Program has digitized thousands of vinyl records from the Golden Age of Gospel (1945-1975), building an archive that researchers and the public can access online. The program, now in its 16th year, has partnered with the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
First African Baptist Church in New Orleans, founded in 1826 and recognized as Louisiana's first Black church, is facing city liens and $4,000 in fines due to neglect. Pastor William Brent is organizing community cleanups and fundraising to save the historic building.
CeCe Winans took home the Grammy for Best Gospel Performance/Song at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, for her track featuring Shirley Caesar. Brandon Lake won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for his collaboration with Jelly Roll.
The National Black Church Initiative, representing 150,000 African American churches and 27.7 million members, has announced its list of the 25 Most Effective Christian Biblical Preachers of 2025-2026 in the Black Preaching Tradition. The announcement is part of a broader slate of health, civic, and community initiatives planned for April 2026.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund has awarded 13.5 million dollars in grants to historically Black churches across the United States through its Preserving Black Churches program. The funding supports capital projects, endowments, and programming at sacred sites that anchor Black faith, culture, democracy, and community.
Black Christian leaders across the United States are launching grassroots initiatives to mobilize voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, drawing inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement. Through Sunday dinners, online forums, and community organizing, faith leaders are building bridges and strengthening democratic participation in their communities.
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) presented a special Easter livestream event on April 1, 2026, featuring performances from Brooke Ligertwood, Benjamin William Hastings, KB, and Passion. Filmed at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C., the celebration honored the Easter story and the message of hope. The event was available exclusively on gospelmusic.org/easter throughout Holy Week.
A new analysis published April 3, 2026 examines the Black church's century-old foundations of property ownership, financial independence, and prophetic theology that fueled the civil rights movement. Despite facing challenges including theological drift and institutional decline, the Black church retains moral authority and spiritual connection. Scholars and community leaders argue it is uniquely positioned to again catalyze significant social change.
On April 7, 2026, the Black 14 Philanthropy, in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the College Football Hall of Fame, donated 36,000 pounds of food to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. This brings the Black 14's total to 1.75 million pounds of food donated since 2020. The donation will support 700 partner agencies serving 29 counties in the Atlanta area.
Grammy-nominated Bethel Music is launching the first leg of its 2026 U.S. Tour beginning April 19 in Seattle, with additional stops in Los Angeles and Dallas. Meanwhile, the gospel music charts are seeing fresh entries, with Jonathan McReynolds' 'Closer' featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard climbing the BGospel Top 50. Nigerian worship leader Sinach also released her new single 'Eyes of Love' in April 2026.
The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) launched the African American Parkinson's Patient Advocacy Organization (AAPPAO) in Houston and St. Louis on April 9, 2026. The new organization aims to address the disproportionate impact of Parkinson's disease on African Americans and improve access to clinical trials and treatment. NBCI also announced upcoming health campaigns targeting vaccines and brain health awareness.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund awarded $13.5 million in grants to 38 historically Black churches across the United States in 2026. Recipients include iconic institutions such as 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, and New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Tulsa. The grants support capital improvements, endowment building, and preservation of these vital community anchors.
Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning Bethel Music has announced a major US tour for 2026, with the first leg beginning in April and a second leg in October. The tour promises an immersive worship experience featuring beloved anthems and songs from their latest album 'We Must Respond.'
Detroit PBS's American Black Journal series features local pastors discussing the psychological and emotional challenges facing their congregations in 2026, including stress from federal policy changes. Church leaders are emphasizing empowerment, bold faith, and Jesus' message of love and freedom as anchors for their communities.
The National Black Church Initiative is launching a major social media campaign on April 19, 2026, aimed at clarifying confusion about vaccines within the African American community. The initiative is part of NBCI's broader 'Our Health Our Wellness' effort to eradicate racial health disparities across its network of 150,000 churches.
The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), representing 150,000 African-American churches and 27.7 million members, has launched a new Parkinson''s Disease educational initiative and the African American Parkinson Patient Advocacy Association. The coalition is also running a ''Vaccines are Good for America'' social media campaign and a pilot Heart First Program in Miami and Charlotte.
The 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards honored gospel and Christian music with CeCe Winans featuring Shirley Caesar winning Best Gospel Performance/Song for ''Come Jesus Come.'' Darrel Walls and PJ Morton took Best Gospel Album for ''Heart of Mine,'' while Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance for ''Hard Fought Hallelujah.''
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund has awarded $8.5 million in grants to 33 historically Black churches in 2026, bringing the total investment to $13.5 million for the year. Recipients include iconic institutions like Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, with funds supporting structural restoration, stained-glass preservation, and long-term sustainability.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, awarded $13.5 million in grants in 2026 to support the preservation of historically Black churches across the United States. The funding supports capital projects, endowment building, and organizational capacity for 38 churches, including Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. The National Black Church Initiative is also launching new health and educational programs for its 27.7 million members.
The Gospel Music Association hosted a special Easter Celebration livestream on April 1, 2026, featuring performances from Brooke Ligertwood, Benjamin William Hastings, KB, and Passion at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. The event, available throughout Holy Week on gospelmusic.org, honored the Easter story and the hope found in the risen Savior. Bethel Music also announced their 2026 U.S. Tour kicking off in April.
The Black church continues to hold significant potential for American society in 2026, drawing on its historic role in the civil rights movement and its deep roots in community building. Scholars and pastors are calling for a renewal of the church's foundational strengths in self-reliance, theological conviction, and community cohesion. Chicago's Olivet Baptist Church is leading the way with a $157 million development project to provide affordable housing and workforce development.
The 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in gospel and Christian music, with CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Israel & New Breed among the top winners. The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards also recognized Jamie MacDonald and Lauren Daigle as standout artists of the year. Bethel Music announced a major U.S. Tour for 2026, bringing worship experiences to cities across the country.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund has awarded $13.5 million in 2026 to preserve 38 historically Black churches across the United States. Recipients include iconic institutions such as Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Was baptized. The grants support structural preservation, stained-glass restoration, and educational programming.
Chicago's Olivet Baptist Church, founded in 1850, served as a critical anchor for Black migrants fleeing Jim Crow during the Great Migration, providing housing, childcare, and social services. At its peak, the church boasted over 10,000 members and was considered the largest Protestant church in the world. Today, Pastor John L. Smith is working to reclaim the church's community-minded legacy through a $157 million development called Trinity Square.
The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) has launched a new educational Parkinson's Disease initiative in Houston and St. Louis, along with the African American Parkinson Patient Advocacy Association. The program aims to address the significant health disparities faced by African Americans with Parkinson's disease, using the trusted networks of Black churches to reach underserved communities. NBCI's coalition of 150,000 churches is mobilizing to provide education, resources, and advocacy for those affected.
The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards celebrated the best in gospel and Christian music, with Jamie MacDonald taking home three awards and Lauren Daigle winning two. The fan-voted ceremony highlighted the growing diversity and vitality of Christian music, with artists spanning gospel, worship, country, and hip-hop genres. The event underscored the deep connection between faith communities and contemporary Christian music.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund has awarded $13.5 million in grants to 33 historically Black churches across the United States, marking the largest single-year investment in the preservation of these sacred spaces. The funding will support capital projects, endowment building, and organizational capacity for churches that have served as anchors of Black faith, culture, and community for generations. Notable recipients include Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
The National Black Church Initiative launched the African American Parkinson Patient Advocacy Association on April 1, 2026, as part of its broader health equity mission. The coalition of 150,000 African American churches is also running social media campaigns on vaccines and brain health to address racial disparities in healthcare.
The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards announced its 2026 winners on March 23, with Jamie MacDonald leading with three wins and Lauren Daigle securing two. The event made history with the first-ever tie for Song of the Year, shared by Zach Williams and Jamie MacDonald.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund awarded $13.5 million in grants to 33 historically Black churches in 2026, protecting sacred spaces vital to Black faith, culture, and community. The funding supports capital projects, endowments, and programming at churches with deep historical significance.
The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards announced its 2026 winners on March 23, with Jamie MacDonald leading all artists with three wins including a historic tie for Song of the Year. Lauren Daigle took two awards, while Jelly Roll won the Mainstream Impact Award for his gospel-infused collaboration 'Hard Fought Hallelujah.'
New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded in 1957 in the aftermath of the Tulsa race massacre, has received a $200,000 grant from the Preserving Black Churches program. The grant will be matched with an additional $200,000 raised by the church to create an endowment for preserving its 70-year-old building.
Despite comprising 66 to 88 percent of Black church congregations, Black women hold fewer than one in ten senior leadership positions in Black Protestant churches. A new report examines the persistent barriers of tradition and bias that keep women from the pulpit, even as 86 percent of Black Americans say women should be allowed to serve as senior religious leaders.
SEU Worship, the worship collective from Southeastern University, will embark on their first-ever headlining tour in June 2026. The 12-date tour brings their signature worship sound and theologically rich songwriting to communities across the country.
Gospel music serves as a significant cultural outlet for the Black community, telling stories of overcoming and resilience. Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland maintains a vibrant 70-member gospel choir, with music remaining central to the Black American experience.
The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards celebrated fan favorites with Jamie MacDonald emerging as the night's most awarded artist. The ceremony featured historic moments including the first-ever tie for Song of the Year.
SEU Worship, the collective from Southeastern University, will embark on their first-ever headlining tour this June, bringing Spirit-led worship to 12 cities nationwide.
The National Black Church Initiative has released its list of the 25 Most Effective Christian Biblical Preachers in the Black Preaching Tradition, celebrating excellence in ministry and biblical teaching.
The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards saw Jamie MacDonald win three awards and Lauren Daigle take two, with a historic tie for Song of the Year.
The NBCI, representing 150,000 African-American churches and 27.7 million members, continues its mission to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and the environment.
A deep examination of how different generations view the Black Church, from Baby Boomers who see lost traditions to Gen Z who often view it as irrelevant, calling for introspection and renewal.
The National Baptist Memorial Church in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a major restoration effort to save it from the fate of aging churches that have been shuttered or repurposed.
SEU Worship, the collective from Southeastern University, will embark on its inaugural headlining tour in June, offering Spirit-led worship experiences across the United States.
A new survey reveals that nearly two-thirds of women over 50 in the Black community struggle with mental health, while younger generations increasingly view the Black Church as disconnected from their lives.
Different generations hold varying views on the Black Church's relevance, from Baby Boomers who feel it has lost its way to Gen Z who see it as irrelevant.
Oakland's historic Black churches maintain strong gospel choirs that preserve cultural identity and tell stories of resilience and overcoming through music.
John Perkins, influential civil rights leader and Bible teacher who advocated for racial reconciliation through the gospel, has passed away at age 95.
CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake, Israel & New Breed, and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir were among the winners at the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards in Christian and Gospel categories.
Different generations have varying perspectives on the Black Church's relevance today. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, each generation sees the institution through a different lens.
Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 1863 by formerly enslaved African Americans, was awarded $360,000 to preserve its structural integrity and enhance its worship space.
The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards revealed its winners in a special broadcast on March 22, 2026, celebrating fan-driven recognition of Christian music artists.
Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 1863 by formerly enslaved African Americans, received a $360,000 grant to preserve its structural integrity.
The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards announced its winners on March 22, 2026, celebrating the songs and artists that have defined Christian music.
Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 1863 by formerly enslaved African Americans, received a major grant to preserve its historic worship space.
The 25th Annual Gospel Music Expo is scheduled to take place at the Family Life Center/Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert on March 20-22, featuring gospel groups and soloists from several states.
The 14th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards announced its winners across 13 categories, celebrating the songs and artists that defined the past year in Christian music through fan-driven voting.
Shiloh Baptist Church, a historically Black church in Alexandria, Va., was awarded $360,000 through the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund's Preserving Black Churches program to enhance worship spaces and preserve structural integrity.
Allen Temple Baptist Church's 70-member gospel choir continues a century-old tradition of sharing stories of resilience and faith through music, connecting generations to their spiritual heritage.
Different generations within the Black community hold varying views on the Black Church's role, from Baby Boomers seeing it as straying from roots to Gen Z considering it irrelevant, prompting calls for renewal.
The Official Charts Company has launched the UK first Christian and Gospel Singles Chart, highlighting the increasing popularity and influence of faith-inspired music in the United Kingdom.
Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 1863 by formerly enslaved African Americans, received a $360,000 grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Preserving Black Churches program to enhance its worship space and preserve its structural integrity.
Charlotte, North Carolina will host the Stellar Gospel Music Awards from August 12-15, 2026, with $995,000 in state funding supporting the event.
The 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards recognized outstanding achievements in Christian and Gospel music on February 1, 2026. Winners included CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake, Darrel Walls, and Israel & New Breed.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded $13.5 million to 38 historically Black churches across the United States through its Preserving Black Churches program.
The Stellar Awards, one of gospel music's most prestigious events, will relocate to Charlotte, NC for 2026. The move marks a new chapter for the awards show celebrating excellence in gospel and Christian music.
Among Black Americans, discussions about the Black Church reveal a generational divide in how its relevance is perceived. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, each generation has different views on the institution's status and future.
The Family Life Center/Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert will host the 25th Annual Gospel Music Expo on March 20-22, featuring gospel groups and soloists from multiple states.
Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and Mt. Moriah AME Church in Annapolis, Maryland, received significant grants from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to preserve their historic structures.
Understanding the unique worship experiences in African American churches and how they strengthen faith, community bonds, and spiritual growth.
Practical wisdom and biblical principles for African American Christian families navigating modern challenges while keeping faith at the center.
Meet the pastors, ministers, and community leaders who are continuing the legacy of faith and social justice in communities across America.
How gospel music has evolved from spirituals to modern praise, keeping African American Christian traditions alive and inspiring millions worldwide.
Exploring the profound impact of the Black church on African American culture, civil rights, and spiritual life throughout American history.
