The Black Church in Detroit

The Black Church in Detroit: An Initiative of Detroit Public TV

The “Black Church in Detroit” series is an actively running series created by “American Black Journal”  after the release of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s “The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song.” And what better place to showcase this content than on “American Black Journal,” the nation’s longest-running news show devoted to the African American experience? These discussions will be led by the host of “American Black Journal,” Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Stephen Henderson.

The series is produced in partnership with the Ecumenical Theological Seminary and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and it is being informed with input and guidance from a range of church and civic leaders who sit on American Black Journal’s Black Church in Detroit Advisory Panel.

“The Black Church in Detroit” is not intended to be a one-time, Black History Month special. Rather, it is a continuous commitment to telling a story of the religious institutions that have served the community from the days of the Underground Railroad through the struggle for social justice and the ongoing quest for a better and more equitable future.

The Black Church in Detroit Episodes:

Women in the Black Church

Women’s History Month: The role of women in the Black Church | The Black Church in Detroit

American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the role of women in the Black church. Host Stephen Henderson discusses the issues impacting Black women in the church with two Detroit women ministers: Rev. Dr. Constance Simon of Fellowship Chapel and Rev. Dr. Remonia Chapman of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church.

An African American man sits on a bench with his laptop open on his lap.

AI and the Black church: Local ministers discuss the benefits, challenges of artificial intelligence

American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the impact of artificial intelligence on the African American community and the Black church. Guest Host Orlando Bailey of BridgeDetroit discusses the challenges and potential benefits of generative AI with Rev. Cindy Rudolph of Oak Grove AME Church and Rev. Lawrence Rodgers of Second Baptist Church.

young African American in the church

Some young African Americans are moving away from the church toward individualized faith | Black Church in Detroit

Roughly three in ten young African Americans say they’re religiously unaffiliated. Host Stephen Henderson leads a conversation with three Detroit ministers on the changing faith practices of young African Americans, the growing trend to identify as spiritual instead of religious, and how religious leaders can bridge the generational divides in the Black Church.

Black church leaders discuss their top 2024 priorities for their congregations and community | American Black Journal

Heading into 2024, the “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the focus areas, issues and opportunities that lie ahead in the new year for leaders of Detroit’s Black churches. Three Detroit ministers talk about increasing outreach, encouraging voter participation, eradicating gun violence in the community, and the importance of working together to bring about change.

Young African American man praying in a church

Shifting faith: Growing trend of young Black Americans embracing spirituality over religion | Black Church in Detroit

A growing trend of younger African Americans are shifting from organized religion to spirituality. A Pew Research survey found that young Black adults are not only less religious but also less engaged with predominantly Black churches compared to their older counterparts. Guest host Orlando Bailey of BridgeDetroit talks with three ministers about young African Americans’ evolving faith practices.

Interfaith relationships and the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict | American Black Journal

The “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on interfaith relationships in Detroit and how the Black Church can better navigate the tensions arising from it. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Bishop Charles Ellis III of Greater Grace Temple, Rev. Dr. Constance Simon from Fellowship Chapel, and Bishop Mbiyu Chui from the Shrine of the Black Madonna #1.

Technology in the Black Church

How Technology has transformed Detroit’s Black Churches: Adapting post-pandemic

The “Black Church in Detroit” series examines how technology trends are shaping the present and future of the Black Church. Two Detroit pastors, Rev. Carnel Richardson of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Aramis Hinds from Breakers Covenant Church International talk about their churches’ journey adapting to the technologies brought forth by the pandemic and the future of artificial intelligence in ministry.

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

Paving the way for today: How the Black Church supported the Civil Rights Movement

The “Black Church in Detroit” series delves into the contemporary significance of civil rights and the state of civil rights today. Historic King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Charles Williams II, a distinguished figure in civil rights arenas, shares his perspectives on the legacy of the 1963 March on Washington and the present-day state of civil rights advocacy.

open bible at the pulpit

The power of the prophetic voice in the Black Church and its importance to the community | American Black Journal

American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the power of the prophetic voice of the Black Church and its importance today amid issues harming African Americans and other marginalized groups. Host Stephen Henderson talks with two local pastors about the church’s role and responsibility in the prophetic biblical tradition to speak out against racial and social injustice.

The Black Church in Detroit’s connection to the 1963 Walk to Freedom | American Black Journal

As the city commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Detroit Walk to Freedom, American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the role of the city’s religious community in the historic march and rally that featured Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Black Church in Detroit Clips:

Venezuelan migrants are fed food at the Church of the Messiah in Detroit

Detroit’s Church of the Messiah supports Venezuelan migrants with clothing, food

More than 60 Venezuelan migrants have arrived in Detroit and are being assisted by the Church of the Messiah while staying at a shelter nearby. Many are fleeing economic hardships and political corruption. One Detroit Senior Producer Bill Kubota spent a Sunday afternoon at the Church of the Messiah talking to the migrants and people helping them.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. "GOSPEL" docuseries

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. examines gospel music’s rich history in new PBS docuseries ‘GOSPEL’

A new PBS docuseries, “GOSPEL,” from Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the origins and influence of gospel music on Black spirituality. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Stacey L. Holman, the director and producer of the docuseries, about gospel’s rich history, its impact on the Black church, Detroit’s connection to the genre, and how other music genres have been influenced by gospel.

Rev. Charles G. Adams, the late pastor emeritus of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church

Remembering the legacy of African American minister Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams

Detroit and the nation are mourning the loss of one of this country’s most influential Black ministers. Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams, pastor emeritus of Detroit’s Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, passed away at age 86. Rev. Charles Christian Adams, the son of Rev. Adams, talks about his father’s legacy after more than 50 years in the pulpit.

Technology in the Black Church

How Technology has transformed Detroit’s Black Churches: Adapting post-pandemic

The “Black Church in Detroit” series examines how technology trends are shaping the present and future of the Black Church. Two Detroit pastors, Rev. Carnel Richardson of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Aramis Hinds from Breakers Covenant Church International talk about their churches’ journey adapting to the technologies brought forth by the pandemic and the future of artificial intelligence in ministry.

Faith-fueled unity: The Black church’s role in the 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom

American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the role of the city’s religious community in the 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom. Bishop Mbiyu Chui of the Shrine of the Black Madonna #1 delves into the often-forgotten connection between the city’s Black churches and the historic civil rights march.

African American priest

Ministers’ mental health takes center stage during Mental Health Awareness Month

In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, “American Black Journal” host Stephen Henderson has a frank conversation with Rev. Dr. Carla Spight-Mackey, a clinical specialist at Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, about the need for resources and ways for ministers can get mental health support.

DPSCD's Faith-Based Initiative

Detroit’s Black churches partner with city schools to champion students’ education

American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the important role the Black church plays in supporting the city’s schools and students through DPSCD’s Faith-Based Initiative and Every School Day Counts program.

Church of the Messiah honors Detroit’s first responders for keeping community safe during Islandview fires

Church of the Messiah Pastor Rev. Barry Randolph hosts an awards ceremony honoring Detroit’s first responders after they kept residents and property safe during two fires on the city’s East side.

Black chuch's role in reducing gun violence

The Black Church’s Role in Reducing Gun Violence in the Communities They Serve 

In the wake of the recent mass shootings across the country, “American Black Journal” looks at the Black church’s moral and spiritual roles in helping curb gun violence in the community. Rev. Cindy Rudolph at Oak Grove AME Church talks to her congregation about the violence. Plus, host Stephen Henderson has a frank conversation about the root causes of the shootings, the church’s role in disrupting the violence, and the candid concerns of young people.

the blues

The sacred and the secular: How gospel music grew from the Blues

“American Black Journal” explores how gospel music grew from the blues. Host Stephen Henderson sits down with Baptist pastor and blues musician Rev. Robert Jones, Sr. to explore the connection between the blues and gospel music, and their symbolic, symbiotic relationship. Plus, they discuss gospel music’s roots in the African American community then and today.