Employing the Legacy of the Black Church’s Prophetic Activism for Modern DEI Educational Initiatives

• In Event: Black Leadership, Faith, and Educational Transformation

Abstract

Historically, prophetic activism, defined by Cornel West (1993) as a tradition of Black resistance and criticism of social injustices in Christian contexts, has addressed systemic inequities by supporting church members in financial, political, and academic ways (Gandy, 1945; Jordan, 2017). We examine the origins and evolution of the prophetic tradition, highlighting the Church’s educational initiatives and establishment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Pinn, 2005). We conclude with forward-looking perspectives, drawing on Gaines (2010), to propose strategies for churches to support academic DEI initiatives by: 1) cultivating civic-engaged congregations through policy-focused informational meetings; 2) collaborating with school administrators and advocating for students; and 3) implementing educational outreach and welcoming students of all backgrounds for tutoring and mentoring.

Authors

• Brooke Starks, Michigan State University

• Michael L. Lachney, Michigan State University