The killing of Rev. Tammy McCollum on Easter Sunday, allegedly at the hands of her husband, is a shocking example of intimate partner violence in the church. But a growing number of Black women clergy struggle to break through misogyny and violence inside the church — harm often unspoken, protected by patriarchy, shame and fear of not being believed.
Category: Word In Black
Posted inReligion
Next lifetime or this one? Eryka Badu ignites a tithing debate
A debate sparked by Erykah Badu’s purported critique of tithing has reignited questions about faith, financial literacy and systemic inequality. At stake: whether a cornerstone of Black church tradition supports community survival — or complicates efforts to close the racial wealth gap.
Posted inWord In Black
This pastor is flipping Black Church tradition with poetry
With “Sacred Slam,” Rev. Dr. Wanda Bynum Duckett uses poetry and hip-hop to revive Black church traditions and connect with Gen Z and millennials. By Rev. Dorothy S. BoulwareWord In Black Overview: As younger generations seek meaning beyond traditional pews, the Black church is experimenting with new forms of worship. One pastor’s spoken word approach […]
Posted inWord In Black
South Carolinians continue colleague’s push for maternal health
By Jennifer Porter GoreWord in Black The state of South Carolina ranks among the highest in the nation for maternal mortality. And just like nationwide, the burden falls most heavily on Black women. But a recent gathering of healthcare leaders, birth workers and families in the state vowed not to take the situation lying down. […]
Posted inWord In Black
March Madness runs on Black athletes, but at what cost?
By Ashley Stewart, Ph.D.Word in Black Scan the NCAA’s Sweet 16 rosters and you’ll see what college basketball has always known: Black athletes built this tournament. Now imagine if their institutions invested in their minds the way they profit from their bodies. Each March, college basketball becomes a unifying cultural event unlike almost anything else […]
Posted inWord In Black
What is Holy Week and why does it matter?
Holy Week marks the final seven days of Jesus’ life leading up to Easter, inviting Christians to reflect on his suffering, death, and resurrection. Beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Resurrection Sunday, the week highlights themes of sacrifice, justice, love, and spiritual renewal, while many observe it through worship, prayer, fasting, and acts of service.
Posted inWord In Black
‘Spend in the Black’ turns faith into economic power
Salem Baptist Church in Chicago is leading “Spend in the Black,” a faith-driven initiative encouraging residents to support Black-owned businesses and strengthen local economic power. Through large marketplace events and community partnerships, the effort channels consumer spending into Black communities, boosts small businesses, and promotes long-term wealth building. Organizers see it as a scalable movement that blends faith, activism, and entrepreneurship to rebuild the “Black dollar” and foster sustainable economic ecosystems.
Posted inWord In Black
‘There is a cost to telling the truth.’ But Georgia Fort is undeterred
Independent journalist Georgia Fort reflects on her arrest while covering a protest and the growing threats to press freedom, particularly for Black reporters. Drawing strength from her faith, personal experiences and the legacy of the Black press, Fort remains committed to telling difficult truths despite risks, emphasizing the vital role Black media plays in holding America accountable.
Posted inWord In Black
‘Ghost’ Medicaid doctors leave patients in the waiting room
By Jennifer Porter GoreWord in Black Roughly 1 in 3 doctors who are enrolled to treat Medicaid patients didn’t treat a single one between 2019 and 2021, according to new research. At the opposite end of the spectrum, a third of enrolled health care providers saw more than 150 Medicaid patients each year, a workload […]
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: For Black women, the Oscars are about more than Best Picture
Dr. Regina Davis Moss is a narrative strategist, cultural leader and reproductive justice advocate whose research examines how stories shape public belief and influence policy as president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice. In this piece, she discusses the importance of Black women controlling how their stories are told.
Posted inWord In Black
Demystifying the end: Hospice care impact on the Black community
Hospice care offers comfort, dignity and emotional support at the end of life, but it remains underused in Black communities due to misconceptions, limited access and historical distrust of the healthcare system. Advocates say education, community outreach and culturally sensitive care are key to helping families better understand hospice and use its services earlier.
Posted inWord In Black
Another win for Lacks heirs in fight over her cells
The family of Henrietta Lacks has reached an undisclosed settlement with pharmaceutical company Novartis, marking another legal victory in their effort to hold companies accountable for profiting from her cells without consent. Lacks’ “immortal” HeLa cells, taken during cancer treatment in 1951, became foundational to major scientific breakthroughs while her family remained unaware for decades and received no compensation.