Pass The Mic

We are in Memphis for the #MLK50NCRM Commemoration. On this special episode, we take you into the press room as Bernice King, daughter of MLK Jr takes the stage and shares some of her thoughts and feelings on the legacy of both her father and her mother's work in the pursuit of justice.

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Part 1 of our Heal, Black Man series.

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As we begin Black History Month, we are releasing a special interview about our willingness to be ourselves regardless of what society says. Our guest today is writer, activist, and speaker A.D. Thomason. A.D. is on to speak about his new book Permission to Be Black.

AD is a three time award winning filmmaker and Co-founder of 3Strandfilms (read and view films here NOTOFTHEM.COM). Adam is an adjunct professor at Kilns College where he teaches on the History of Human rights and justice, De-colonizing your faith, filmmaking and more.

He’s with us today to speak about his new book: Permission to Be Black: My Journey with Jay-Z and Jesus.

“Throughout American history, Black people were not given the freedom to acknowledge their suffering. A. D. Thomason believes that the Holy Spirit brings freedom and liberation as we're able to name our pain, recognize its roots in history and society, and seek healing.

While many saw a confident, six-foot-five Black man, A. D. "Lumkile" Thomason lived most of his life in fear and anguish, deeply wounded by encounters with violence, abandonment, and family tragedy.

A. D. uses his artistry as a poet and storyteller to share how he confessed his internalized pain and embraced the liberating joy of Christ. He writes for millennials, emerging adults, and anyone else who's ready to acknowledge the reality of racial trauma and our need to confront it. His powerful story gives you permission to be Black, to be Christian, and to be the person God has made you to be.”

ALSO, don’t forget to send in your thoughts on the Movie Soul! You have a few days to get your thoughts in before next week’s review. All you have to do is send in a 30-45 second audio clip featuring:

1. Your first name

2. Where you’re listening from

3. Something you liked or disliked from the film.

4. Send it to [email protected] with the Subject Line: PTM Soul Review

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Jemar is BACK! Returning from his brief hiatus, Jemar and Tyler give you the official explainer of what #LeaveLOUD really is and who it is for. We know you have questions, so we’re taking time to answer as many as we can. We answer the questions:

-Are we saying all Black people HAVE to leave?

-Are we leaving Jesus behind?

-Are we giving up on white people?

-Where do we go from here?

This is an old school PTM episode, filled with laughing and preaching. It’s good to have Jemar back!

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In 2018, the New York Times published an article tiled: A Quiet Exodus: Why Black Worshipers Are Leaving White Evangelical Churches that chronicled the plight of Black Christians who quietly exited their churches after their pastors and fellow believers failed to denounce state-sanctioned violence against Black people, white Christian Nationalism, systemic racism, and everyday bigotry. Since that time, things have gotten worse, not better.

In recent months, we’ve seen a surge of Black leaders and congregants in predominantly white or multiethnic churches and Christian spaces decide that it’s time for them to go. We bear witness to the hurt, harm, and frustration that our siblings have experienced. Enough is enough. It’s time to #LeaveLOUD

To #LeaveLOUD is to tell our stories, to name things for what they are, to take back the dignity we’ve lost while being in institutions that don’t value the fullness of the image of God within us, and to go where we are celebrated and not just tolerated.

For the next several weeks, we will be sharing stories of Black Christians who have made the decision to #LeaveLOUD. We will also be providing thoughtful analysis, words of wisdom, and resources for those who have already left or who are discerning whether they should #LeaveLOUD. We invite you to share your stories using the hashtag #LeaveLOUD.

The Witness BCC exists to empower Black Christians to live into the fullness of who God created us to be. You are not alone.

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Our resident wordsmith Ally Henny referred to the 45th president as "RICO Suave." It's a reference to the latest indictment of Trump (he's facing 91 total counts if you're keeping track)--this time in Georgia and for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) violations.

Tyler and Jemar talk about how this case differs from previous indictments and how they think this might affect the 2024 presidential election.

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