The Black Church in Detroit's One-Year Anniversary Special Episode

This Week on American Black Journal:

The Black Church in Detroit’s One-Year Anniversary Celebration

American Black Journal celebrates The Black Church in Detroit’s one-year anniversary in collaboration with the Ecumenical Theological Seminary and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History with a special hour-long episode.

American Black Journal host Stephen Henderson kicks off the episode with a look back at what inspired the collaborative series to begin one year ago, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s PBS documentary “The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song,” which explores the 400-year history of the Black Church. Stephen sits down with the documentary’s producer and director Stacey Holman to hear her perspectives on the series’ impact and the importance of the church in the Black community.

Then, BridgeDetroit’s Engagement Director Orlando Bailey meets with Bishop J. Drew Sheard and his wife Karen Clark Sheard, of The Clark Sisters, at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) for an extensive never-before-seen interview. The three discuss Bishop Sheard’s leadership role and responsibilities at the helm of the C.O.G.I.C. denomination, his wife’s role as First Lady of the Church and an award-winning Gospel artist and more.

Plus, Stephen pays tribute to The Black Church in Detroit’s one-year anniversary by revisiting some of the most captivating conversations and compelling guests featured on the show over the past year. We’ll revisit the role of women in the Black church, how millennials view spirituality today, the impact of COVID-19 on faith leaders since the pandemic began, and the Black church’s focus on activism and change.

Greater Grace Temple’s Bishop Charles Ellis III and gospel musician Paul Porter round out The Black Church in Detroit’s one-year anniversary special with a rousing musical performance of “Done For Me,” an original gospel song written, produced and arranged by Bishop Ellis III.

Featured Religious Leaders:

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Harris, Ecumenical Theological Seminary
Rev. Dr. E.L. Branch, E.L. Branch Ministires
Bishop Edgar Vann, Second Ebenezer Church
Rev. Dr. Constance Simon, Fellowship Chapel
Bishop Charles Ellis III, Greater Grace Temple
Rev. Kenita Harris, Detroit Bible Tabernacle
Rev. Charles Christian Adams, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church
Rev. Charles Williams II, Historic King Solomon Baptist Church
Rev. Barry Randolph, Church of the Messiah

WATCH NOW:

See More Black Church Episodes

Subscribe to Detroit Public Television’s YouTube Channel & Don’t miss American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.

Catch the daily conversations on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @amblackjournal.