The Black Church in Detroit: Women in the Black Church

Rev. Kenita Harris, Detroit Bible Tabernacle

On Sunday, March 28 at 9:30 a.m. ET, “American Black Journal” will honor Women's History Month by taking an up-close look at the role of women in the Black Church. Historically, the contributions of Black women have been extremely crucial to the church's growth, operations, and survival, yet many houses of worship remain male dominated with a lack of women in leadership roles.

Host Stephen Henderson has a candid conversation with three women ministers: Rev. JoAnn Watson of West Side Unity Church, Rev. Cindy Rudolph of Oak Grove AME Church and Rev. Kenita Harris of Detroit Bible Tabernacle. They talk about the importance of faith and religion in the lives of Black women, their roles in the church today and the ongoing debate over gender equality in the ministry.

Plus, we will visit the Shrine of the Black Madonna where a mural of a Black Madonna and Child was unveiled on Easter Sunday 1967. The painting not only served as a symbol of Black liberation, but it also depicted the strength and power of the Black woman in the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality.

In partnership with the Ecumenical Theological Seminary and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, “American Black Journal” will continue to offer new segments as part of its “The Black Church in Detroit” series on a monthly basis throughout 2021.

Watch the latest episodes of “American Black Journal” every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET on Detroit Public TV – WTVS 56 or catch repeat episodes of the series every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Also visit https://www.onedetroitpbs.org/abj-church to learn more about “The Black Church in Detroit Series.”