Ebony A. Utley, Ph.D. is an expert in popular culture, race, and romantic relationships. Her book, Rap and Religion: Understanding the Gangsta’s God tackles a sensitive and controversial topic: the juxtaposition—and seeming hypocrisy—of references to God within rap music. In her other research, Utley examines how Americans talk about race and racism, asks probing questions about women’s experiences with infidelity, investigates beliefs about marriage, and explores the tenuous relationship between hip hop and love. In addition to national radio, print, and online... Read more

Edward J. Blum (University of Kentucky, 2003) is a historian of race and religion in the United States. He is the author (with Paul Harvey) of The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America (2012), W. E. B. Du Bois, American Prophet (2007), and Reforging the White Republic: Race, Religion, and American Nationalism, 1865-1898 (2005). He is also the co-editor (with Paul Harvey) of The Columbia Guide to Religion in American History (2012), (with Jason... Read more

Pastor, professor, writer, preacher and social activist, Rev. Earle J. Fisher graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1996, earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts in 1999 from Lake Michigan College, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Computer Science in 2003 from LeMoyne-Owen College and a Masters of Divinity Degree in May 2008 from Memphis Theological Seminary. he is an ordained minister in both the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and National Baptist denominations. Currently serving as a adjunct... Read more

by Stacy DandridgeR3 Contributor Natural disasters have the ability to test our resolve and to try our resilience as a country. As a Christian, I have found that individual faith at times is most strengthened during periods of difficulty and distress. Periods of difficulty and distress not only strengthen the faith of Christians, but they also have a way of exposing the true characteristics of a person. In the midst of what is one of the worst hurricanes to make... Read more

Stacy D. Dandridge is a student at Memphis Theological Seminary where she serves as a James L. Netters Scholar Graduate Assistant. She is a contributor to The Dialogue Corner and the Young Ministers’ Corner of  The African American Lectionary. She also maintains a blog that seeks to Giving Inspiration for Transformation (G.I.F.T.). She currently serves on the ministerial staff at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart. She works diligently in the Department of Discipleship... Read more

Ithaca College Professor Dr. Christopher House is the recipient of the National Communication Association’s African American Communication and Culture Division 2012 Outstanding Dissertation Award. Dr. House successfully defended his University of Pittsburgh dissertation, titled “Rhetorics of the Black Church: Sex, Religion, and HIV/AIDS Across the African Diaspora,” last year as a predoctoral diversity fellow in the Department of Communication Studies at Ithaca College. He will be recognized for his outstanding work at the annual meeting of NCA in Orlando next... Read more

Having obtained both a Bachelors and Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Memphis, as well as an African American Literature Certification, Gee Joyner has utilized his rhetorical prowess as an empowering tool of social commentary to record the dichotomy and disturbing behaviors indicative of God’s wonderful and complex creation; humanity. After surviving an attempted murder in 2002 and using his skills in composition to aid and assist troubled juveniles in their quest to overcome the sociopolitical, economical,... Read more

Giovanni Neal is a professional blogger, educator and paralegal. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and holds a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies. Ms. Neal has been a professional blogger for two years and brings her unique perspective on race and religion. Prior to her career as a professional blogger, Ms. Neal served as a paralegal. In addition, Ms. Neal taught social studies and world geography. Ms. Neal incorporated innovative technologies in her lessons and encouraged her students to... Read more

Last Tuesday, Andrew Sullivan’s post at The Daily Beast highlighted what he believes to be the double standard the American media has applied to the racially charged sermons delivered by President Obama’s former Pastor Jeremiah Wright—replayed in a constant loop in 2008—and the relatively scant coverage the history of racial exclusion Mitt Romney’s Mormonism has received in 2012. “It is a fact,” Sullivan writes, “that Mitt Romney belonged to a white supremacist church for 31 years of his life … which retained... Read more

by Earle FisherR3 Contributor In the past few years, we have given a lot of weight and credence to the campaign season. We have lobbied and stumped for our favorite candidate(s), held prayer vigils, watched debates, given lectures and sermonic selections in hopes that “our candidate” would be elected to a position of power, status, privilege and authority. Many of my individual efforts recently have been synthesized around a “Souls to the Polls” Campaign in collaboration with other ministers, ministries,... Read more