Black Baptists Launch Advocacy Center in Washington, D.C. to Promote Civil Rights and Social Justice

Boise Kimber, president of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., spoke at an event launching the Center for Social Justice in Washington, DC, on July 14. The center was established to protect civil rights, champion religious freedom, and advocate for the poor and marginalized.

The National Baptist Convention USA Inc., the nation’s largest Black denomination with an estimated membership of between 5.2 million and 7.5 million, announced the launch of its Center for Social Justice to counter extreme threats to democracy and freedom. “We are positioning ourselves at the center of policy and discussions that affect African Americans and our faith communities,” Kimber said.

Located in the historic United Methodist Building near the US Capitol and US Supreme Court, the center aims to counter the erosion of voting rights and “speak for those who cannot speak for themselves,” Kimber added. The location serves as a powerful reminder of the connection between public service and advocacy, according to US Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-NY, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Clarke noted that the center continues the historic advocacy of the Black Church in the struggle for equal opportunity and justice. “This center is uniquely positioned to elevate the voices of faith leaders and the communities they serve by helping to strengthen the dialogue between policymakers and the people whose lives are shaped by the decisions made here in Washington,” she said.

Willie Singletary, a social pastor at Christian Compassion Baptist Church in Philadelphia, emphasized that the center’s mission is rooted in biblical principles. “We are not coming to Washington to advance a political party, we’re coming to advance biblical principles. We’re not here to seek power, we’re here to hold power accountable to righteousness,” he said.

The center reflects a commitment to justice and civil rights, echoing the legacy of the Black Church in advocating for the marginalized. Its establishment underscores the ongoing role of faith communities in shaping public policy and ensuring that the voices of the vulnerable are heard.

Source: Read the original report