Society for the Study of Black Religion

Society for the Study of Black Religion is a professional organization dedicated to the academic study of Black theology and African American religion, with roots in the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power movement. The society's formation was influenced by prominent scholars such as James Cone, J. Deotis Roberts, and Gayraud Wilmore, who were instrumental in shaping the field of Black theology. The society's work is closely tied to the scholarship of W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, among others. The society's mission is to promote research and understanding of African American religious history, including the experiences of African Methodist Episcopal Church, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and Church of God in Christ.

● History

The Society for the Study of Black Religion was established in the 1970s, a time of great social change and activism in the United States, with the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature playing important roles in its development. The society's early years were marked by collaborations with scholars such as Carter G. Woodson, E. Franklin Frazier, and Melville Herskovits, who were pioneers in the study of African American studies and African diasporic religions. The society's history is also closely tied to the work of Howard University, Chicago Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary (New York City), which have been instrumental in shaping the field of Black theology and African American religious studies. Scholars such as Diana L. Hayes, Lloyd G. Stevenson, and Willis J. Abrahams have made significant contributions to the society's growth and development, often in collaboration with organizations like the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

● Purpose and Scope

The Society for the Study of Black Religion aims to promote a deeper understanding of Black religion and its various expressions, including African American Christianity, Black Judaism, and African diasporic traditions such as Vodou and Santeria. The society's scope encompasses a broad range of topics, from the Transatlantic slave trade and its impact on African American religious history to the contemporary experiences of Black Muslims and Black Hebrew Israelites. The society's work is informed by the scholarship of Katie Geneva Cannon, Delores S. Williams, and Renita J. Weems, among others, and is closely tied to the work of organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The society also engages with the work of Womanist theology and Black liberation theology, which have been shaped by scholars such as James H. Cone and Dwight N. Hopkins.

● Organization and Membership

The Society for the Study of Black Religion is a membership-based organization that brings together scholars, researchers, and practitioners from a variety of disciplines, including theology, religious studies, sociology, and history. The society's membership includes individuals from Harvard University, University of Chicago, Yale University, and other institutions, as well as organizations such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.. The society is governed by a board of directors, which includes scholars such as Anthony Pinn, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, and Nancy Lynne Westfield, who have made significant contributions to the field of Black theology and African American religious studies. The society also collaborates with other organizations, such as the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature, to promote research and understanding of Black religion.

● Publications and Research

The Society for the Study of Black Religion publishes a journal, Journal of the Society for the Study of Black Religion, which features scholarly articles and book reviews on topics related to Black religion and African American religious history. The society also sponsors research projects and conferences, often in collaboration with organizations such as the Ford Foundation and the Lilly Endowment. The society's research initiatives have been shaped by scholars such as Charles H. Long, James H. Evans Jr., and Dwight N. Hopkins, who have made significant contributions to the field of Black theology and African American religious studies. The society's publications and research initiatives are closely tied to the work of Emory University, Vanderbilt University, and Duke University, among other institutions.

● Conferences and Events

The Society for the Study of Black Religion hosts annual conferences and other events, which bring together scholars and practitioners to discuss topics related to Black religion and African American religious history. The society's conferences have featured keynote speakers such as Cornel West, Michael Eric Dyson, and Serene Jones, and have been sponsored by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies. The society's events are often held in collaboration with other organizations, such as the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion and the Society for the Study of African American Religion, and are closely tied to the work of institutions such as Howard University and Chicago Theological Seminary.

● Notable Members and Awards

The Society for the Study of Black Religion has a number of notable members, including scholars such as Katie Geneva Cannon, Delores S. Williams, and Renita J. Weems, who have made significant contributions to the field of Black theology and African American religious studies. The society also presents awards to recognize outstanding scholarship and service, such as the James H. Cone Award and the Gayraud Wilmore Award. The society's awards have been presented to scholars such as Dwight N. Hopkins, Anthony Pinn, and Stacey Floyd-Thomas, who have made significant contributions to the field of Black theology and African American religious studies. The society's notable members and award recipients are closely tied to the work of organizations such as the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature, and are recognized for their contributions to the field of Black religion and African American religious history.

Category:Religious organizations