By Chrissy M. Thornton Special to the AFRO
The power of faith has always been a driving force behind social justice movements in this country, and that legacy was alive and well at Associated Black Charities’ (ABC) recent Black History Month Faith Leaders Breakfast. Over 130 of the region’s most influential faith leaders gathered at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum – pastors, imams, ministers, and other spiritual leaders representing diverse traditions and belief systems – all united by one purpose: to recommit to the fight for Black progress in Greater Baltimore. It was more than a meeting of minds; it was a moment of truth and a powerful reminder of the profound influence that faith communities have in shaping the future of our city and state.
The morning was centered on a singular call to action: How can we, as leaders in our communities, use our collective power to dismantle systemic barriers and uplift Baltimore’s Black communities? The event was also an opportunity to introduce the tenets of ABC’s Agenda for Black Progress in Baltimore, a bold 10-year strategic framework aimed at addressing inequities in education, housing, healthcare, economic mobility, criminal justice and more. But more importantly, it was a rallying cry for faith leaders to take their rightful place at the forefront of this movement.
Faith has long been the heartbeat of Black progress. Our churches, mosques and synagogues have been more than places of worship, they have been sanctuaries for healing, centers for organizing and platforms for demanding justice. This truth was brought to life during the keynote address by the Rev. Dr. Robert Turner of Empowerment Temple, whom we have been proud to welcome to ABC’s Board of Directors. Rev. Turner, known nationally for his work advocating for reparations and racial justice, reminded us of a fundamental truth: “Faith without works is dead.” His message and journey through both historical and biblical reference was clear: prayer alone won’t close the racial wealth gap, end discriminatory housing policies, or reform our criminal justice system. It takes action, and faith leaders are uniquely positioned to lead that charge.
One of the most inspiring moments of the breakfast was seeing faith leaders from across traditions and generations come together, not as competitors, but as collaborators. A room full of leaders, guiding congregations that reach thousands of families, gathered not to debate theology but to focus on a shared mission of justice. As Rev. Regina Clay, pastor of Life Change AME Church and a dedicated community leader, so powerfully put it, “We recognize the invaluable role that faith-based organizations play in fostering hope, supporting families, and driving meaningful change. By coming together, we strengthen our collective ability to address issues like food insecurity, healthcare access, and social equity.” Her words echoed the sentiment in the room: When faith leaders unite, real, transformative change is possible.
But the breakfast wasn’t just about inspiration; it was also about honest reflection. In facilitated discussions, faith leaders discussed the barriers that have historically kept some congregations from fully engaging in social justice work. Many shared concerns about maintaining their 501(c)(3) status in current times and how fears of crossing the line between advocacy and partisanship often hold them back. Others pointed to organizational challenges, such as time constraints, competing priorities, and a lack of clear vision or understanding of how to implement racial justice work within their congregations. Knowledge gaps were also a theme, with leaders acknowledging the need for more education on civic processes, racial justice, and how to bridge intergenerational communication gaps that sometimes hinder collective action.
There was also a candid conversation about the challenges in uniting faith communities across different traditions. Leaders discussed how theological differences and a lack of common platforms often prevent meaningful collaboration. Despite these challenges, there was an overwhelming desire to find pathways to unity and to engage in purposeful collective action. There was also mass acknowledgement of how ABC could play a role of continued convening.
Out of these conversations came hope and clear opportunities for collaboration. Faith leaders shared ideas about how to deepen community engagement through moving beyond the “drive-in, drive-out” approach that so often defines our relationships with the neighborhoods we serve. They discussed ways to better understand the needs of their communities, invest in local events, and focus on programs like workforce development and job training that could provide lasting economic opportunities. There was also a call for more education and advocacy work and a request for teaching civic processes, training congregants in advocacy skills, and operating from a shared moral agenda focused on equity and justice.
At ABC, we recognize that to meet these challenges head-on, we need to build real infrastructure to support the work. That’s why we launched the “40 Years & 40 Houses of Worship” Initiative at the breakfast. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are calling on a minimum of 40 faith institutions to stand with us, reaffirming their commitment to justice and equity. Under the leadership of Pastor Turner, we are asking these institutions to invest in the creation of a dedicated race equity strategist, a leader who will drive this work forward and help convene faith communities to engage in bold, systemic change. This strategist will not only focus on dismantling systemic barriers but also help faith leaders integrate racial equity into their congregations in meaningful, sustainable ways.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Leaders expressed a deep desire to take the conversations from the breakfast back to their congregations and to work toward collective impact. Many emphasized the importance of building economic unity, fostering coalitions, and maintaining the connections that had been formed during the event. They also discussed the need to track and share community work to ensure accountability and transparency as we move forward.
This is the heart of ABC’s mission. Our goal is to not only lead in the fight for equity but to empower others to lead alongside us. We understand the unparalleled influence and reach of faith leaders, and we honor that influence by inviting them to help shape the path forward. We are primed and ready to support the faith community in this work, to offer resources, guidance, and platforms for collective action. But most importantly, we are committed to ensuring that faith leaders feel empowered to use their pulpits, their congregations, and their communities to drive the meaningful, systemic change we need to see in our region.
The Faith Leaders Breakfast was a reminder of what is possible when we come together. It was a reaffirmation of the power of faith, community, and shared purpose. The challenges ahead are great, but so is our resolve.
Chrissy M. Thornton is the president and CEO of Associated Black Charities.
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