Romans 12:10 (ESV) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

"African-Americans have been doing ordinary and extraordinary things ever since they set foot on American soil, much of which was never recorded in history books. Their faith, resilience, and creativity informed our ancestors to learn a new language, reinvent themselves for their own survival, and develop a unique culture that eventually influenced the world." - Patricia Don

Feb 4, 2023
3 min

Two Cultures Become One - By Chuka and Robyn Ikokwu

We are Chuka and Robyn Ikokwu and are delighted to share about our lives and our backgrounds in this very special Black History-themed...

Feb 1, 2023
3 min

Hair Studio - By Ryane Adeniran

When my mother was sixteen, she was surrounded by the effects of the rising crack epidemic and its accompanying “war on drugs”. She was...

Feb 1, 2023
3 min

To Be Black - By PJ Smith

The first time I was racially profiled back in my freshman year of college, I felt ecstatic. It was validating in the worst possible way....

Feb 1, 2023
5 min

Beautifully Curated - By Ghanaughn Brown

I was raised by a Black Panther that pioneered the free lunch program in schools that were strategically forgotten by many and poured...

Feb 1, 2023
2 min

Fighting the Good Fight... - By Patricia Don

Paul told Timothy to fight for worthy things, such as the fullness of life here and now. Some people have eternal life given by grace,...

Feb 1, 2023
6 min

“But God meant it for good…” - By Robert Cooper

I grew up the youngest of five in a quiet community in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the 60s and 70s. While my siblings had the opportunity...

Feb 1, 2023
2 min

Black Brilliance - By Ryan Best

Before middle school, my mother gave me “the talk”. No, not that one. “You will need to work twice as hard to be half as noticed,” she...

Feb 1, 2023
2 min

My Story - By Sydney Jean-Simon

Hi! My name is Sydney Jean-Simon and I am a junior at Pepperdine University majoring in integrated marketing communications and minoring...

As we celebrate Black Excellence and contemplate Black History, many things come to our minds - here are a few events, books, and articles worth mentioning

Wakanda Forever and Black Excellence

The Black Panther and its sequel Wakanda Forever meant much more than a movie to many black people. With a magnificent display of black acting, design, art, costume, music, and beauty presented through the powerful story, it represented Black Excellence. Wakanda Forever recently received five Oscar nominations.

Congratulations to Angela Bassett for her Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress
Congratulations to Ruth E. Carter for her Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design
Congratulations to Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever for their Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, “Lift Me Up,” music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Goransson; lyrics by Tems and Ryan Coogler
https://youtu.be/Mx_OexsUI2M
Congratulations to Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, Christopher White, and Dan Sudick on their Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects
Congratulations to Camille Friend and Joel Harlow on their Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling

young-african-american-male-sitting-with-closed-eyes-with-bible-his-hands_181624-24395.jpg

Let us pray for healing and change

Tyre Nichols and the Complexity of Institutional Racism

https://www.aaihs.org/tyre-nichols-and-the-complexity-of-institutional-racism/?utm_source

Be the Bridge

The Westside staff, Elder and his wife, and SCUAD members are currently participating in a ten-week course to engage in healthy discussions about racial reconciliation as guided by the principles in the book. More information to come regarding this course.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • ECPA BESTSELLER • “When it comes to the intersection of race, privilege, justice, and the church, Tasha is without question my best teacher. Be the Bridge is THE tool I wish to put in every set of hands.”—Jen Hatmaker

WINNER OF THE CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD® • Winner of the Christianity Today Book Award • A leading advocate for racial reconciliation calls Christians to move toward deeper understanding in the midst of a divisive culture.

big_C0CCDE4E-AFC3-409F-81C7-38DB70E75EF8_1_201_a.1671229829.jpeg

https://seminarynow.co/do-justice-webinar

Webinar: Do Justice (Free Access)

A Conversation About the Biblical Call to be Disciples who Do Justice: Moving Beyond Diversity to Justice and Solidarity

Free Webinar: Saturday, February 18th, 1pm ET / 10am PT

Featuring Dr. Christina Edmondson, Chad Brennan, Robert Carillo, and Kevin Holland

Presented by Seminary Now and Christians Seeking Justice (CSJ)

Join us as we discuss the implications from the Scriptures to aid our witness in today's world on justice as it relates to race and other areas.

https://youtu.be/kCAOZGRby_U

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Often referred to as "The Black National Anthem," Lift Every Voice and Singwas a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. His brother, John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954), composed the music for the lyrics. A choir of 500 schoolchildren at the segregated Stanton School, where James Weldon Johnson was principal, first performed the song in public in Jacksonville, Florida to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

At the turn of the 20th century, Johnson's lyrics eloquently captured the solemn yet hopeful appeal for the liberty of Black Americans. Set against the religious invocation of God and the promise of freedom, the song was later adopted by NAACP and prominently used as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.