The Black church has moved from essential to voluntary, says author
Jason Shelton has made a deep scholarly dive into the world of the Black church. But not everything in his new book, “The Contemporary Black Church: The New Dynamics of African American Religion,” was learned at the University of Texas …
Pioneering VSU Historian Lucious Edwards Jr. dies at 80
Virginia State University lost a luminary figure last week with the death of VSU archivist and professor Lucious Edwards Jr. at the age of 80 on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. His death marked the end of decades of work at …
Gregg, first Black lieutenant general, remembered for legacy of leadership
Military trailblazer Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg, who paved the way for African Americans in the armed forces, passed away Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, at the age of 96 after decades of distinguished service.
NAACP to honor civil rights pioneer with wreath-laying ceremony
The Prince Edward County Branch NAACP will honor civil rights pioneer the Rev. L. Francis Griffin with a wreath-laying ceremony next month.
‘Exploring Human Origins’ exhibition comes to Union Seminary
Union Presbyterian Seminary’s William Smith Morton Library will host the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s traveling exhibition, “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?” The exhibit will run Sep. 3 through Nov. 15, offering an opportunity …
Family and church strive to continue mission of pastor
The work of the Rev. Wilson E. B. Shannon will live on thanks to his family and congregation, after the pastor of First Baptist Church Centralia died at the age of 68, leaving a legacy of service.
Baptist organization gets $1M megachurch donation to aid African girls
A Baptist missions organization has received a $1 million donation from a Virginia mega-church, boosting its efforts to help girls in Africa.
Progressive National Baptist Convention leaders hail Harris, pan Trump, urge voting
The Progressive National Baptist Convention focused on get-out-the-vote efforts during its annual meeting and celebrated Vice President Kamala Harris becoming a presidential candidate.
AME Zion Church meeting focuses on voting initiative, new bishops
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church launched a get-out-the vote effort, chose new bishops and finalized the restructuring of some departments during its quadrennial meeting in late July.
Local songwriter contributes to Stellar Award-winning gospel album
A song by local songwriter Anthony “Junebug” Turner Jr. is featured on Ricky Dillard’s “Choirmaster II” album, which won two categories at the 39th Stellar Awards in Las Vegas on July 20.
Sonya Massey said, ‘I rebuke you in the name of Jesus’ What’s the significance?
As video footage of the fatal police shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who lived in Springfield, Ill., circulates online, many viewers are memorializing her near-final words: “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Middlesex church to dedicate state historical marker
Antioch Baptist Church of Saluda will dedicate a state historical highway marker on Saturday, August 3, at noon. The ceremony will take place at the church, 159 Oakes Landing Road in Saluda.
Rev. Barber’s new book demystifies poverty: Black people are not the problem
When Tim Tyson first invited the Rev. William Barber II to meet with a group of white residents of Mitchell County, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Barber half jokingly replied, “I knew you were gonna get me killed.”
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, trailblazing Texas Democrat, dies at 74
Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, one of the longest-serving members of the Texas delegation died at the age of 74 on Friday, July 19, 2024. In June, Jackson Lee announced her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, yet she showed little indication …
Mississippi’s new Episcopal bishop is first woman, first Black person in role
The new bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi was formally installed Saturday, and she is the first woman and first Black person to hold the post.
