National Baptists and partners commit to social justice advocacy at annual session

(RNS) — In his closing remarks at the National Baptist Convention USA’s annual session, its new president recounted the connections the historically Black denomination is forming with other organizations to forward its support for Black communities and social justice issues.

The Rev. Boise Kimber, addressing the delegates gathered at the convention center in Kansas City, Missouri, announced new partnerships with the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, the National Newspaper Publishers Association and the Christian relief and development nonprofit World Vision US.

Kimber also announced that the NBCUSA, with 31,000 churches and 7.5 million members, has launched a coalition with leaders of three other historically Black denominations, including the Church of God in Christ, the National Baptist Convention of America and the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, that “stands as a moral voice in the public square, particularly in response to the troubling national retreat from diversity, equity and inclusion.”

The annual session was Kimber’s first chance to introduce himself to the broader membership of the denomination after the contentious process that led to his election, in which he ended up as the sole candidate to qualify among five initial candidates. Earlier this summer he drew pushback over reports that he and other Black church leaders had accepted a donation from Target for education and economic development initiatives even as other prominent Black Baptist leaders had led a boycott of Target for its decision to pull back on DEI programs.

Kimber said NAREB, an association of some 18,000 minority real estate professionals, is aimed at promoting home ownership as a means of building wealth in Black families. It will also help the NBCUSA manage the 26 properties it owns across the country.

Ashley Thomas III, president of the association, told the delegates his organization is committed to affordable housing: “Housing has become unaffordable, whether you’re a renter or you’re a homeowner, and this is something that we want to continue to fight for as we move forward.”

The Rev. Ben Chavis, who heads a newspaper group, said the cooperation between his organization and the NBCUSA represents “the Black press and the Black church uniting to get that vote out, uniting to stand in the way of those who promote evil, those who promote injustice rather than justice.”

The one-year collaboration with World Vision US is part of a longtime association between the two organizations. Over more than a decade, World Vision has made $100 million in-kind donations, often delivering truckloads of appliances and other merchandise that can be donated to communities via NBCUSA churches.

“Many of their churches are serving vulnerable communities in the U.S., which aligns with World Vision’s mission to reach the most vulnerable children,” said Reed Slattery, national director of U.S. programs for World Vision, in a statement.

Other partnerships also seemed possible.

“National Baptists, we want to partner together with you,” said the Rev. Elijah Brown, general secretary and CEO of the Baptist World Alliance, who spoke to the delegates before Kimber’s speech. He noted that he and Kimber were part of a BWA delegation that advocated for racial justice at the United Nations in April. “I want the BWA to walk closer with you.”

Benjamin Crump, a lawyer who has represented the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, among others killed by police, also addressed the session, pointing out the importance of financial progress to the civil rights struggle.

“Just like our Black people needed the Black church to lead us during times of Jim Crow, I submit to you, sisters and brothers, we need the Black church to lead us in times of Jim Crow Junior in 2025 now more than ever,” Crump said. “We have to build up a strong economic base in our Black communities, and it’s going to start with the Black churches. We have to be intentional about supporting our own.”

In his closing sermon, Kimber decried legislation he said would reduce life-sustaining medicine and otherwise hurt people in need. “We cannot compromise and accept … a big, ugly bill that takes resources from the most vulnerable, depleted and rural communities,” he said, “and strips away Medicare and Medicaid, while tearing away the safety net that has kept many of our senior citizens fed.”

In a video shown to delegates before the sermon, Kimber said his new administration has emphasized intergenerational leadership, putting women and younger members of the denomination in a range of roles.

“Each person chosen embodies proven character, tested leadership, a clear understanding of vision for our future as National Baptists,” he said. “Young leaders are full of energy, expertise and passion, seasoned leaders who have traveled this road before, women long ignored now rise with purpose and excitement to serve in this sacred work.”

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On the first night of the official annual session, the Rev. Tracey L. Brown, a Plainfield, N.J., minister, was invited by Kimber to be what he said was the first-ever woman to preach at the evening service. He said the night “will go down in the history books” of the denomination, which dates to 1880.

Two days later, shortly before the conclusion of the meeting, he called his wife, the Rev. Shevalle T. Kimber, who is co-pastor of the Connecticut church where he is senior pastor, to his side on stage.

Reinforcing his support of women clergy, he encouraged her in front of the gathered delegates.

“Soar in the ministry in which God has given you,” he told her. “Don’t worry about the naysayers. This is the 21st century, and things do change.”

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