Photo by Lakyn Shepard/Art Editor

Sherri Jackson (center) opens discussion on the role of churches in modern-day activism.

Mallorie Turner
Blazer News Reporter
[email protected]


Thursday, August 23, a discussion on activism was held at 16th Street Baptist Church. UK based radio program BBC World Service Heart and Soul was present to record the event. 

Veteran reporter Sherri Jackson of CBS 42 brought together a panel of activists and clergy to discuss the influence of African-American churches on activism from the past and the present. Black churches served as governing bodies of social movements during the civil rights era.
The question of whether this power is present in current activist movements was debated within the panel and a live audience.

“Love in the face of hate, which is what Dr. King’s message was,” Jackson said. “I think this message is so relevant today and it needs to be shouted out not just from the pulpits, churches and congregations. Each of us in our individual places in humanity, we need to talk about love and not hate.”

Read more about the event in print on Tuesday, August 28.