Articulated Insight – “News, Race and Culture in the Information Age”
The 2025 National Action Network (NAN) Convention, led by Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton, comes at a defining moment in our nation’s political and cultural landscape. With the rise of voter suppression efforts, attacks on DEI, and a surge of political rhetoric that threatens hard-fought civil rights, this year’s conference is more than a gathering—it’s a movement. Themed around “Justice, Equity, and Power,” the sessions aim to mobilize leaders, faith communities, and everyday citizens to stand firm in truth and advocacy. One of the most stirring conversations came from the panel “The Role of the Black Church in Today’s Environment under the Trump Administration,” moderated by Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, NAN Board Chair. The discussion pulled no punches as it examined the Church’s prophetic responsibility, the disconnect with younger generations, and the urgent call to reclaim its historical role as both a spiritual sanctuary and a center for justice.
At a time when murals commemorating Black lives are being torn down in Washington, D.C., the question arises: If the Black Church does not stand up for what is right, who will? As the walls come down, both literally and metaphorically, the Black Church must rise with bold conviction. This was the charge echoed by a powerful panel at the NAN Convention, led by some of today’s most prophetic voices in ministry.
A Call to Courage and Conviction
Bishop Donald Hilliard reminded us that the Church must remain intentional in lifting, loving, and liberating—in the name of Jesus Christ. It must be unashamed, standing tall in its truth. “If the Black Church doesn’t have the courage to speak up,” he emphasized, “we lose our most critical advocate for justice and hope.” He made it clear that being consistently invitational and radically inclusive has always been the heartbeat of the Black Church—despite mainstream narratives that suggest otherwise.
Reclaiming Identity and Reimagining Leadership
Rev. Dr. Michael A. Walrond framed the conversation with three powerful reflections about identity in this era:
Acknowledge the legacy of theological reconstruction. Our forefathers dared to dismantle the version of Christianity shaped by white supremacy. If we critique a culture, we must also critique its religion.
Reimagine church leadership for a new generation. Only 39% of Gen Z is meaningfully engaged with the Church. Many associate it with judgment, bitterness, and irrelevance. To reconnect, we must resist materialism and consumerism and center purpose, healing, and community.
Reject the temptation to conform. We are not called to fit into systems that dehumanize. We are called to transform them.
His message struck a chord with me. It’s clear that reimagining the Church is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. If the Church does not evolve, it risks becoming irrelevant to those it was built to serve.
From Chaplaincy to Prophecy
Bishop Charley Hames Jr. passionately declared that the Black Church is being called from chaplaincy to prophecy—from comfort to confrontation. “God is a God on the side of the oppressed,” he said. “The Church must recover the messiness of Christ.” The message was clear: We must speak truth to power, even when it’s uncomfortable. Validation from the systems that oppress us is not required, nor should it be sought.
Decolonizing Our Faith
Rev. Tisha Dixon-Williams boldly warned against what she calls “prophetic assimilation.” Too many preachers have become overseers for oppressive systems. “We pledge allegiance to empire while serving the Liberator,” she said, challenging the Church to decolonize its faith and return to its radical, justice-centered roots. Her framing of Critical Grace Theory offered a powerful reminder: Grace is not for sale. We must stop centering the powerful and look instead to the margins, where Christ himself always stood.
Engaging the Next Generation
The panel concluded with a crucial question: What will it take to make the Church attractive to young people again?
Here are the collective takeaways:
Innovate the worship experience. Let go of rigid traditions that have little to do with salvation. Create space for authenticity and creativity.
Align with the values of younger generations. Many young people feel disconnected because the institution does not reflect their values. We must teach them to follow Jesus—not just the Church. This generation seeks truth, justice, and purpose. If the Church embraces that, they will return.
Invite and honor questions. The Church must create space where curiosity is welcomed, not punished. Where youth can explore, express, and wrestle with faith transparently.
Show them that their contributions matter. Young people give differently—but they do give. They need to see that what they’re pouring into has purpose and impact.
As a Black woman of faith, I deeply resonated with the call to reignite the Church’s role as a liberating force in our communities. The truth is, Jesus was the ultimate change agent, and our children need to see that model in action. They are growing up in a world where 86% of Black children are said to prefer images that do not reflect their own identity. That is a crisis of self-worth that the Church can—and must—speak to.This panel wasn’t just a discussion. It was a call to action. The Black Church must catch up, step up, and show up—prophetically, powerfully, and purposefully.
#BlackChurch #CommunityStrength #FaithLeadership
