Black August Series

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A deep dive into the transformative and revolutionary aspects of Black religion.

In 2023, CLBSJ held our third annual Black August series, in which we explored the relationship between the struggle to overcome racism and the tradition of Black/Africana Biblical Scholarship. We learned from Rodney Sadler, Ronald Charles, Shively T.J. Smith, Renita Weems, and Madeline McClenney. As part of this journey, we also engaged with selections from the books Black Scholars Matter: Visions, Struggles, and Hopes in Africana Biblical Studies and Bitter the Chastening Rod: Africana Biblical Interpretation after Stony the Road We Trod in the Age of BLM, SayHerName, and MeToo, as well as other materials.

Plans for 2024 are underway. Please check back for updates!

The series is curated by Hugh Page (co-editor of Black Scholars Matter) and Angela Parker (co-editor of Bitter the Chastening Rod), along with Nicholas Johnson, Sr. Sharifa Vernice Meytung, Sherly Fabre, Warren Cooper, Carolyn Grice and Amy Dalton. Scroll down for bios.

Black August Series History

In 2021, as a way to act on our Statement of Solidarity with Black Lives Matter Uprisings, CLBSJ began participating in the “Black August” tradition. For five evenings in August, we took a deep dive into the connections between our religious traditions and Black-led movements for racial justice and social transformation. The theme of this innaugural series was was “Why Black Religion Matters” and it was co-sponsored by the Community of Living Traditions. In 2022, we again convened weekly during August, this time with a focus in on the connections between our scriptural traditions and the movement to end mass incarceration. In 2023 we shifted our focus to the relationship between the struggle to overcome racism and the tradition of Black/Africana Biblical Scholarship, and were excited to welcome Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary as a co-sponsor. Archives for all three years can be accessed below.

What is Black August?

“Black August” is a pan-African and internationalist tradition that recognizes the month of August as a living testament of the depth of commitment to transformation and liberation within Black communities around the world. From the beginning of the Haitian Revolution to the Nat Turner Rebellion; from the Fugitive Slave Law Convention and the foundation of the Underground Railroad to the March on Washington; from the uprising in Watts (1965) to the Uprising in Ferguson (2014); from the births of Marcus Garvey, Russell Maroon Shoatz, and Fred Hampton to the deaths of Emmett Till, W.E.B du Bois and Michael Brown — August bursts at the seams with histories of Black resistance. Because of this, organizers have claimed it as a month to deepen understanding of and commitment to the practices that lead us to liberation. CLBSJ is honored to unite with this tradition.

Leadership Team

Nicholas Johnson

Nick is a pastor at Raritan Valley Baptist Church, teacher of philosophy and religion at New Jersey City University, and a PhD candidate in New Testament and Early Christianity at Drew University in Madison, NJ. His research focuses on Paul’s epistles, Revelation, and the intersections of Africana, postcolonial, and New Testament studies. Nick serves as the president of the CLBSJ Board. See full bio at https://clbsj.org/about/leadership/nicholas-a-johnson/

Hugh Page

Hugh R. Page, Jr. is Professor of Theology and Africana Studies and Vice President and Associate Provost at the University of Notre Dame. His research interests include early Hebrew poetry, Africana biblical interpretation, the role of mysticism and esotericism in Anglican and Africana spiritualities, and the Blues aesthetic. He is an elected member of the Society for the Study of Black Religion (SSBR), a Research Associate of Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) at Yale University, the Chair of the Council of the Society of Biblical Literature, and a member of the CLBSJ Board. See full bio at https://clbsj.org/about/leadership/hugh-r-page/

Sr. Sharifa Vernice Meytung

An African-American artist and haijin (a writer of haiku poetry), Sr. Sharifa is a teacher and lay religious practitioner in the Catholic and Buddhist traditions. Her practice is also steeped in and informed by West African, Native and HipHop traditions. Her media books and CDs include Oil For The Lamp: 7 Virtues of Human Character Development, Hiphop H.A.I.K.U. Vol 1 and 2, Rough Ground, and she is currently producing an online video series focused on the study of the Jataka Tales of early Buddhism. Sister Sharifa serves on the Board of CLBSJ and the Philadelphia Buddhist Association. See full bio at https://clbsj.org/about/leadership/sr-sharifa-vernice-meytung/

Sherly Fabre

A Haitian-American immigrant who grew up Catholic and converted to Islam, Sherly is a seasoned grassroots activist who builds capacity at local, national and international levels. She is a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation National Committee and UN Representative for the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. She is also a member of the Community of Living Traditions, and has served on the boards of the Truth Telling Project and Proyecto Faro. She has also volunteered with CLBSJ’s library team on the Muslim Peace Collection.

Warren Cooper

A jazz musician and artistic entrepreneur from Philadelphia, Warren is the founding host and producer of WRTI’s gospel music program, Ovations, and the Executive Producer of Music Media Ministry, a multi-media production company focused on the manufacturing and trafficking of positive art that nurtures the movement for justice and peace. He is a member of the Community of Living Traditions and an Ordained Ruling Elder and Minister of Music in the Presbyterian Church USA. He works with CLBSJ as a media consultant.

Angela Parker

Dr. Angela N. Parker is assistant professor of New Testament and Greek at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University. She received her B.A. in religion and philosophy from Shaw University, her M.T.S. from Duke Divinity School and her Ph.D. in Bible, culture, and hermeneutics (New Testament focus) from Chicago Theological Seminary. She teaches courses in New Testament, Greek Exegesis, the Gospel of Mark, the Corinthians Correspondence, the Gospel of John, and Womanist and Feminist Hermeneutics unto preaching. Read full bio at https://theology.mercer.edu/faculty-and-staff/parker/

Carolyn Grice

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Grice is a retired teacher, veteran union leader, community activist and Presbyterian leader in Omaha, Nebraska. She serves as chair of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley’s Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee, and the Self Development of People Committee. She also serves on the Mission and Evangelism Committee and presbytery’s Leadership Team. Carolyn earned her M-Div from University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, her D-Ed from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and certificates in Community Organizing and Public Theology from the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary.

Amy Dalton

Amy has been active in peace and justice organizing since age 13. She holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary with a research focus in faith-based community organizing. She serves on the Board of Proyecto Faro, and on the Research Team of the Ambazonia Prisoners of Conscience Support Network. Amy is the Executive Director of CLBSJ. See full bio at https://clbsj.org/about/leadership/amy-dalton/