PROGRAMS  |  BLACK CHURCH INITIATIVE AND LA INICIATIVA LATINA

Clearing House and Resource Center - History

The MultiCultural Programs Department Clearing House and Resource Center features a collection of theological books, sermons, speeches,  workshop presentations, youth and adult sexuality curriculums. The Clearing House and Resource Center serves as a resource to clergy, seminarians, health and human service educators, parents and youth. Resources are available for loan. For more information, contact bciinfo@rcrc.org or call 202-628-7700.

Books

The Women of Azusa Street, Estrelda Alexander
The Women of Azusa Street pays tribute to the women who played a vital role – which was typically overlooked or downplayed in literature – in the 1906 Azusa Street Revival, and event in Los Angeles that catapulted the then fledgling Pentecostal Movement into national prominence. In the wake of the 100th anniversary of  the Azusa Street Revival, which was held day and night for nearly three years, Alexander reveals the fascinating stories of Holy Spirit baptized women from various racial and cultural backgrounds – who like Jesus’ disciples – gave up everything and risked their lives to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Black Church In the African American Experience, C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence H. Mamiya
The Black Church in America has long been recognized as the most independent, stable, and dominant institution in black communities. Based on a ten-year study, The Black Church in the African American Experience is the largest nongovernmental survey of urban and rural churches ever undertaken and the first major field study since the thirties. Drawing on interviews with more than 1,800 black clergy in both urban and rural settings, combined with a comprehensive historical overview of seen mainline black denominations, C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence H. Mamiya present an analysis of the Black Church as it relates to the history of African Americans and to contemporary black culture.

African American Religion Interpretive: Essays in History and Culture, Timothy E. Fulop & Albert J. Raboteau
African-American religions encompass a broad spectrum of beliefs and practices. This volume brings together in one forum the most important essays on the development of these traditions to provide a broad overview of the field and its most important scholars.

Stony The Road We Trod African American Biblical Interpretation, Cain Hope Felder
This is a splendid collection of 11 essays by African American biblical scholars; the introduction puts the essays, and the consultation out of which they grew, into context. The essays consider biblical authority, African American sources for enhancing biblical interpretation, and the issue of race in the Bible. They also offer reinterpretation of specific biblical texts, while revealing the role blacks played within the Bible. These essays are important for both scholars and general readers, making the book essential for many libraries.

Black Church Beginnings: The Long Hidden Realities of the First Years, Henry Mitchell
This book provides an intimate look at the struggles of African Americans to establish spiritual communities in the harsh world of slavery in the American colonies. Written by one of today’s most foremost experts on African American religion, this book traces the growth of the black church from its start in the mid-1700’s to the end of the nineteenth century.

The Bible and African American: A Brief History, Vincent L. Wimbush
The unique encounter of African Americans with the Bible has shaped centuries of the spirituality and social engagement of a whole continent. Highly respected biblical scholar Vincent Wimbush here outlines five phases of African American biblical reading and shows how the language of the Bible enabled African Americans to negotiate the strange world into which they were thrust.

Their Own Receive Them Not: African American Lesbians and Gays in Black Churches, Horace Griffin
In this book, Griffin provides a historical overview and critical analysis of the black church and its current engagement with lesbian and gay Christians, and shares ways in which black churches can learn to reach out and confront all types of oppression-not just race-in order to do the work of the black community.

The History of Ancient Israel and Judah: A Compilation, Jermone Ross

Open Wide the Freedom Gates, Dorothy Height
Dr. Dorothy Height marched at civil rights rallies, sat through intense White House meetings, and witnessed every major victory in the struggle for racial equality. In her best-selling memoir, she walks us through her remarkable life of service and leadership. We witness her march against lynchings, sit with her onstage as Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I have a dream” speech, and watch as she leads the National Council for Negro Women for well over forty years, her diplomatic counsel sought by US Presidents from Eisenhower to Clinton.

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, Dr. Joy Leary
This book is a master work. Dr. Leary’s deep understanding, critical analysis and determination to illuminate core truths are essential to addressing the long-lived devastation of slavery. Her book is the balm we need to heal ourselves and our relationships. It is a gift of wholeness.

An Encyclopedia of African American Christian Heritage, Marvin A. McMickle
This book blends biography, story, and commentary on a host of prominent and lesser known people in African American religious history. In this historical guidebook, you will hear the virtual voice of select African American religious leaders and learn of the events, movements, and organizations that have contributed to the formation and development of African American Christianity.

Videos

Eyes on the Prize, Complete Series, Blackside Productions