African American Church

Emmett Till offers the first truly comprehensive account of the 1955 murder and its aftermath. It tells the story of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old African American boy from Chicago brutally lynched for a harmless flirtation at a country store in the Mississippi Delta. His death and the acquittal of his killers by an all-white jury set off a firestorm of protests that reverberated all over the world and spurred on the civil rights movement.

"In the shimmering world of social media, Tiffany is captivated by the seemingly perfect lives of her friends. They showcase blissful marriages, proud parenthood, and contented singlehood, leaving Tiffany with a severe case of FOMO—fear of missing out. However, as she delves deeper into their lives, Tiffany unveils the truth: FOMO should really stand for 'false, overexaggerated, misinformed observations.' Amidst the glittering facade, someone is living a lie, and Tiffany is about to discover that everything that glitters isn't gold."

She doesn’t want to be a “good” Christian girl. Rue’s mother despises her nonconforming attitude. Her father wants her to be the next associate pastor. Rue admires him and is willing to accept the mantel. She loves “unchurched” people. A service project reveals, Rue is not her mother’s daughter, and the father she idolizes has been lying. Is this why she is different? Could this be why her mother hates her? Is she being punished for refusing to fit in a box? Rue was told she can’t have one foot in the church and one foot out. But if everyone is lying, can she sit on the ...

DeShawn lives a high, creative, and promiscuous life in San Francisco. But when he’s called back to his cramped Alabama hometown for his uncle’s funeral, he’s hit by flashbacks of handsome, doomed neighbors and sweltering Sunday services. Amid prickly reminders of his childhood, DeShawn ponders family, church, and the men in his life, prompting the question: Who deserves love?

Have you ever wonder what life is like for a First Lady behind the scenes? Pastor Nigel and First Lady Sandra Brooks have been together for almost a decade. After years of dedication to her husband, children, and ministry, First Lady Brooks is feeling a bit unappreciated and wishes to be seen as more than just a First Lady. She desires to again be the leading lady in her husband’s life. However, she soon discovers that her husband may be holding auditions for her position. After this revelation, something happens that shakes up the Brooks household which leads to secrets that may rock the...

If you want to get a real headache, try to understand destiny! Understanding destiny is almost as difficult as eluding it. It is obviously attached to you before the foundation of the world. I believe the only thing that is able to change destiny is choice. The question, therefore, would not be what kind of destiny do I have? But, what kind of choices will I make? Wanza Leftwich has done a splendid job of depicting the drama involved in the life of a young woman who has obvious spiritual destiny attached to her. She takes it straight to the major vein - me and my man! She depicts Ebony ...

Carter Woodson (1875-1950) was a prominent Black leader and intellectual who raised awareness of the Black historical experience by initiating the first Black History Week, which later became Black History Month. Published in 1921, The History of the Negro Church traces the development of the Black churches in the US from colonial times to the early years of the 20th century. The work includes a series of biographical sketches of church leaders through the decades, beginning with early church movements in the North and efforts to minister to slaves in the South.

Derrick Hamilton a single Baptist minister found himself fascinated with Summer Reed a gorgeous fashion mogul. Although a mutual attraction existed between Minister Hamilton and Summer the minister maintained his involvement with another woman. The minister's ex further intensified the drama as she's accused of sabotaging Summer's entry into an elite fashion competition. The complexity of navigating the social dating scene or should I say romance and courtship of a minister seem to be a challenge in itself. Will the woeful misfortune of the esteemed Ms. Summer Reed bring those that are ...

More Than Grateful follows First Lady Rachel Tate as she faces the most challenging trial of her life. Married to Pastor Jonas Tate, the charismatic leader of Rise Church, Rachel is determined to make her mark by organizing her first women’s conference, aptly named More Than Grateful. But the journey is anything but smooth. As Rachel steps into her new role, she encounters resistance from the women in the congregation, particularly from Allison, who once hoped to marry Jonas herself. The tension between Rachel and Allison spills over, straining Rachel’s relationship with her husband and...

Angelic Essie Belle Johnson and devilish Laura Reed both agree that they need to do something to spice up their lives and earn more money. So, they start their own church on the street in front of their Harlem apartment. With Laura's gift for performing and Essie's melodious voice, the two quickly become a hit and must move their services into a renovated theater. But as their congregation grows, a host of misfits enter the scene - some honest, but others who just want a piece of the pie.

Sheridan S. Davis, author of Saved Sex, Pretty for a Dark-Skin Girl, and I’m Nobody’s Ruth is all too familiar with Chicago’s church scene. The city, mostly known for its heavily portrayed violence in media, is also the birthplace of Gospel music and has a rich history in God. As a church girl herself, Sheridan decided to pen a fictional tale about the friendship between five church girls. Join Shyanne, Selena, Kyra, Miriam, and Lisa as they plow through the ups and downs of friendship.

"Candy-Coated Words Have Led to Sleepless Nights": "Tiffany's marriage is built on a foundation of sweetly spun lies since the day they uttered 'I do.' Overwhelmed by sorrow yet paralyzed by fear, Tiffany witnesses her world unraveling. The truth she concealed has been uncovered, and her husband now holds the fragments of her deception. In the wake of one little white lie, Tiffany confronts the haunting question: Can the cost of that seemingly harmless untruth shatter everything she holds dear?"

On June 17, 2015, 12 members of the historically black Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina welcomed a young white man to their evening Bible study. He arrived with a pistol, 88 bullets, and hopes of starting a race war. Dylann Roof’s massacre of nine innocents during their closing prayer horrified the nation. In Grace Will Lead Us Home, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jennifer Berry Hawes provides a definitive account of the tragedy’s aftermath.

Eva spends much of her life torn between the man she had and the man she has. On paper they both look like ideal husband material. But looks, as we all know, can be bought, faked, or photoshopped. Everyone around Eva seems to keep shoveling lies to bury their secrets. As Eva starts to dig for the truth, she realizes it's impossible to stay clean, especially while playing in someone else's dirt.

The number three signifies divine wholeness. After the devastating loss of their friend, the remaining Church Girls fight to the death to get their friendship back intact. In this third installment of Church Girls, will a black cloud, life's conundrums, and distance become their demise? Or will the Church Girls finally discover the path that leads to wholeness?

On July 2, 1822, Denmark Vesey, a formerly enslaved man, was hanged in Charleston, South Carolina. He was convicted of plotting what might have been the largest insurrection against slaveholders in US history. Witnesses claimed that Vesey appealed to numerous biblical texts to promote and justify the revolt.

Hezekiah McCoy is a free man in more ways than one. He's roaming around seeking a place to establish "New Holy Rock Ministries" and find himself a first lady to go along with it. Fancy McCoy is determined to live her best life after being duped by a man sent by her ex-husband to humiliate her. Dem McCoy Boys are still making their marks and leaving some unforgettable legacies (not necessarily all good ones). Stiles's visits to Holy Rock are growing more frequent. Is it because of his new position or the new lady in his life?

For generations, the Black church has been a cornerstone of resilience, community, and empowerment, serving as a sanctuary for African Americans facing systemic oppression. Rooted in liberation theology and social activism, it has played a crucial role in social movements and cultural identity. However, while the Black church continues to be a source of strength, it also mirrors the complexities and contradictions of the communities it serves.

Before Jamaal’s seventeenth birthday, he’s appointed as his preacher uncle’s designated driver and unwilling personal confidant. Behind the fine outfits and hats, behind the harmonious singing and delicious cooking, Jamaal is exposed to crazy aunties, sexy church sisters, corrupt pastors, and predator deacons. A good kid who just wants time to finish his homework and kiss a nice girl his own age, Jamaal is dragged through the strange world of the Black church. You best pray for him.— An offensive dark comedy by the author of BLM-PD and Monuments: A Deadly Day at Jefferson Park.

In a world where Kelis Marshall reigns as a self-made queen, her unyielding confidence and allure know no bounds. Hezekiah Washington desires everything about her but her body, igniting a fierce clash between flesh and spirit. As Kelis indulges in her every desire, a passionate struggle unfolds, where her pleasures collide with Hezekiah's unwavering principles. Yet, in this game of desire and conviction, Kelis discovers that getting all she desires comes with an unexpected twist that challenges the very essence of her self-made kingdom.