Diverse Devotions: Black Belief Across Boundaries

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, Charline Manuel, shares about the prevalence of women’s leadership in the Unity Church, how she addresses racism and why music is so important for Black religious folk. Highlights: Why there is so much women’s leadership in the Unity Church Race and racism in The Unity Church How she lives out her spirituality The importance of music for Black Unity wo...

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, Charline Manuel, shares how she searched for answers to her questions, found Unity Church and ensured that New Thought religions are included in global interfaith communities.   Highlights: Charline’s childhood belief that God created her for joy How Charline got “New Thought” a seat at the table of the world’s religions Where Charline finds “diversity...

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, William D. Hart, shares how his penchant for religious autobiographies led him to critique what he coins as “the standard narrative of Black religion” and how Afro-ecentric forms of spirituality develop strong communities and fight for freedom.   Highlights: What William D. Hart means by “the standard narrative of Black religion” The Black church as a...

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, Will Coleman, shares how hoodoo is his religion of origin, his interests in African retentions in African American culture, and why he considers his spiritual practice to be expansive rather than eclectic.   Highlights: How hoodoo underlies Will Coleman’s rearing in Black Christianity How years of learning led to a year of initiations How tarot cards l...

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, Natasha L. Robinson, shares about growing up in an African-centered church, practicing Ifa/Orisa traditions and where she sees justice show up in her faith and the world.   Highlights: How membership in a Black church that values African cultures shaped Natasha’s openness to different religions How Natasha recovered from betrayal by a religious leader...

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, Tawnicia Rowan, shares her personal experiences of Black Christianity, finding the Universal Truth Center and how she accidentally became a minister there.   Highlights: How loving a Buddhist posed big questions to her faith Why her Christian mother pointed her to a new place of worship Five universal principles that are the most meaningful for Tawnici...

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, Takiyah Nur Amin, shares about growing up with Muslim and Christian family members, finding Unitarian Universalism as a place of acceptance, and what her daily spiritual practices look like.   Highlights: How Takiyah found her tradition over lunch in the high school cafeteria What it means to be a part of a covenantal religious tradition Why living tog...

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, Darnise Martin, tells us how her childhood questions about religion led her to a New Thought metaphysics and an embrace of her ancestral traditions of hoodoo.   Highlights: The mystery man who gave Dr. Darnise a pamphlet that changed her life The connection among spirituality, magic and nature Darnise’s spirituality in the grocery store The role of hoo...

Dive into 'Diverse Devotions’ where Monica A. Coleman, an award-winning author and celebrated religious scholar, takes you on an enlightening journey through the often unspoken spiritual experiences of Black folk. Discover how embracing multiple faiths enriches spirituality, revealing new dimensions of freedom and personal transformation. Whether you're a spiritual seeker, an educator, or simply c...

Our guest, Salim Faraji, tells us how he studied and practiced various Black religions before finding a home in the religious traditions of the ancient Nile Valley civilizations, the Akan people and African American Protestant churches. Highlights: How the religiously diverse city of Philadelphia allowed for Salim’s religious exploration The spiritual and intellectual adventure that came from hear...

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, Salim Faraji, tells us how he straddles three religious traditions, how he raises his children and where he finds true spiritual community. Highlights: Why Black churches are still meaningful for Dr. Salim The religion Dr. Salim raises his children in How religious multiplicity is accepted in his West African communities Why and how you should form boo...