From 2020-2023, Christ the King’s Anti-Racism Ministry represented the grassroots efforts of CTK parishioners to engage in the work of racial justice within our parish and to collaborate in efforts within the wider Nashville community.

These efforts are now integrated into the Thea Bowman Ministry, a collaboration between Christ the King and St. Vincent de Paul parishes.

Contact Brittany Meriwether to get involved.

Thursday, March 4
7:00pm-8:30pm

Parish Forum on Racism

Over the past month, we’ve listened to the voices of Black historians, educators, and preachers. On Thursday, March 4, we will gather on Zoom to reflect on what we have heard and done so far and talk about what to do next. This structured forum is a great opportunity to get involved in one of the parish’s many anti-racism working groups or to propose the creation of a new project. All are welcome.

 Deacon Bill Hill, Diocese of Nashville

The Color of Catholic Education: 
Desegregation in the Diocese of Nashville

In this presentation, Deacon Bill Hill explored the Nashville Diocese’s response to Brown v. Board of Education, highlighting the roles of St. Katharine Drexel, Bishop William Adrian, Dr. Gadson Tarleton and the Holy Name Society at St. Vincent’s and Dr. Edwin Mitchell.
 

Paige Courtney Barnes



Fortifying Justice with Fraternal Charity

In this talk, Nashville educator and writer Paige Courtney Barnes will illuminate why love of neighbors must be the lofty goal of race relations in America. After over 50 years of Civil Rights protections, Black Americans continue to bear the burden of inequality in our country. If we as Catholics better exercise the gifts of our faith, we could be powerful agents of change in our spheres of influence.

 Deacon Bill Hill, Diocese of Nashville

Shaping the Black Catholic Church: 
The Story of St. Vincent de Paul Parish

and the Church of the Holy Family

In this presentation, Deacon Bill Hill explored the histories of the original Holy Family Parish and St. Vincent de Paul Parish, highlighting the roles of Saint Katharine Drexel, Bishop Byrne and Father Thomas Plunkett.

Dr. Learotha Williams, TSU

‘I am Black but Comely’: 
An Exploration of Black Nashville from the Territorial Period to the End of Reconstruction

This talk explores the African American experience in Nashville from its territorial period to the overthrow of Reconstruction and highlight their importance in the development of the city as a major Southern city.  This conversation also discusses the many ways in which they attempted to negotiate boundaries placed upon them by the city and resist the institution of slavery.

Audio only 

 Dr. Learotha Williams, TSU

Out from a Gloomy Past:  
Black Nashville's Struggle for Equality in History and Memory, 1863 to the Present

This talk focuses on Black Nashvillians' struggle for equality from emancipation to the present.  In it, we also explore how this struggle is celebrated, marginalized, and erased from our collective memory.

Audio only