The Black church has long been a cornerstone of the African American community, serving as a vital center for social, political, and economic empowerment in addition to its spiritual role. From the Reconstruction era to the present day, faith-based organizations have been instrumental in mobilizing Black voters, leading voter registration drives, educating communities, and driving voter turnout. Understanding the roots of the Black church is essential, as its role remains crucial in today’s political landscape.

The Black Church During the Reconstruction Era

The Reconstruction era (1865-1877) was a period of profound change for newly emancipated Black Americans. One of the most prominent figures of this era was Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, a pioneering church organizer and missionary for the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Georgia. After organizing the first U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War, Turner continued his advocacy by becoming a delegate to Georgia's state constitutional convention in Atlanta. In 1868, he was elected as a representative to the Georgia state legislature. However, Turner, along with 23 other Black legislators, was expelled from the legislature for the "crime" of being Black. In his powerful speech "Eligibility of Colored Members to Seats in the Georgia Legislature" on September 3, 1868, Turner boldly declared, "Am I a man? If I am such, I claim the rights of a man. Am I not a man because I happen to be of a darker hue than honorable gentlemen around me? Let me see whether I am or not. I want to convince the House today that I am entitled to my seat here." Turner expressed the deep frustration and determination of African Americans during a time when their newly won freedoms were under constant threat.

Frederick Douglass, a towering figure of the abolitionist movement, also recognized the vital role of the church in the Reconstruction era. Douglass saw the church as a key institution in cultivating political consciousness and action. He often spoke at churches, using these platforms to galvanize support for civil rights and suffrage, particularly the right to vote. Douglass maintained that the Black church was more than just a place of worship; it was a space where African Americans could mobilize and assert their political power.

In addition, Reverend George Freeman Bragg, a Black Episcopal priest, was another significant figure. Bragg was not only a spiritual leader but an advocate for social justice and political involvement. He used his position within the Episcopal Church to fight for the rights of Black Americans, particularly education and civil rights. Bragg’s work exemplified the interconnectedness of religious and political life in the Black community, where church leaders often played dual roles as spiritual guides and political activists.

As the Reconstruction era came to an end and the United States entered the early 20th century, the Black church continued to play a vital role. During this period, the church became an even more critical institution as Black Americans faced the rise of Jim Crow laws, racial violence, and segregation. These challenges only strengthened the church's resolve to serve as a sanctuary for the Black community, where they could organize and educate. 

The early 20th century also saw the rise of new organizations that were closely linked to the Black church, such as the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), which was founded in 1909. While not a religious organization, the NAACP had strong ties to the Black church, with many of its leaders and members being active churchgoers. The church provided a base of support for the NAACP's efforts to fight for civil rights through legal challenges, public protests, and voter registration drives.

As Black Americans migrated from the rural South to urban areas in the North during the Great Migration, the Black church adapted to meet the needs of these new urban communities. Churches in cities like Chicago, New York, and Detroit became centers of activism, helping to organize labor unions, housing initiatives, and political campaigns. This period laid the groundwork for the transformative activism of the Civil Rights Movement.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s further solidified the Black church’s role in mobilizing voters. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, emerged as the movement’s most prominent leader. King’s advocacy was deeply rooted in his faith, and he used the church as a platform to rally support for civil rights legislation, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

King’s leadership in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was instrumental in educating Black Americans about their voting rights and organizing nonviolent protests that were pivotal in challenging systemic racism and promoting voter participation. King’s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and his speeches, often delivered from church pulpits, emphasized the moral imperative of the civil rights struggle and the necessity of political engagement as an expression of faith.

Another towering figure of this era was Fannie Lou Hamer. The Mississippi native played a crucial role in the struggle for voting rights. Hamer, the daughter of sharecroppers and a devout Christian became a leading voice in the fight against voter suppression in the South. She famously declared, "I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

Hamer co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) in 1964 as a challenge to the all-white Mississippi delegation at the Democratic National Convention. Her powerful testimony before the convention’s credentials committee highlighted the violence and intimidation that Black voters faced and brought national attention to the issue of voter suppression. Hamer’s work, supported by the Black church, was important in securing voting rights for Black Americans.

While Dr. King advocated for nonviolent resistance, Malcolm X, a leader within the Nation of Islam, took a more militant approach to Black empowerment. Malcolm X called for an aggressive plan for Black Americans to gain political power and advocated for Black nationalism as an economic philosophy. He recognized the importance of voting as a means to achieve self-determination and control over Black communities.

Malcolm X’s influence extended to voter registration efforts, where he encouraged Black Americans to take control of their political destinies by participating in the electoral process. His advocacy highlighted the diversity of thought within the Black community regarding how best to achieve equality and justice, but it also underscored the centrality of voting as a tool for change. 

The Black church’s influence continued into the late 20th century, with figures like Reverend Jesse Jackson emerging as key political leaders. Jackson, a protégé of Dr. King, began his activism within the church and later founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization dedicated to promoting social justice, civil rights, and political empowerment.

Jackson’s presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 were landmark events that showcased the political power of the Black church. Although he did not win the Democratic nomination, his campaigns were significant in incentivizing Black American voters. Jackson’s work demonstrated the potential for the Black church to influence mainstream politics and inspired future generations of Black leaders to seek higher office. Reverend Jackson paved the way for President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris.

One of the most significant setbacks in the fight for voting rights came with the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder. This ruling effectively gutted key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, particularly the requirement for certain states and localities with a history of discrimination to obtain federal approval before changing their voting laws. 

In response, Reverend William Barber, through his leadership in the Poor People’s Campaign and the Moral Mondays movement, has worked tirelessly to combat modern-day voter suppression efforts. He has organized protests, led marches, and spoken out against laws designed to disenfranchise voters. Barber’s work continues the legacy of the Black church as a powerful force for justice.

Reverend Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, has also been a prominent advocate in the fight against voter suppression. Sharpton’s activism, rooted in his faith, has focused on addressing the wide array of tactics used to suppress the Black vote, including restrictive voter ID laws, voter roll purges, and reductions in early voting access. Sharpton, who ran for president in 2004, has tirelessly advocated for federal legislation to restore the protections lost in Shelby County v. Holder.

In addition to Barber and Sharpton, contemporary leaders like Stacey Abrams and LaTosha Brown have become pivotal figures in the fight for voting rights. Stacey Abrams, the former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, gained national prominence for her work in combating voter suppression during the 2018 gubernatorial election in Georgia. Although narrowly defeated, she launched Fair Fight, an organization dedicated to promoting fair elections and ensuring that every vote is counted. Abrams’ work has been credited with significantly increasing voter turnout in Georgia, helping to flip the state in the 2020 presidential election and securing Democratic victories in two U.S. Senate runoffs.

LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, has also been a force in the ongoing fight for voter rights. Brown’s organization focuses on increasing voter registration, turnout, and overall political engagement in Black communities, particularly in the South. Brown’s efforts, like those of Abrams, have been instrumental in challenging voter suppression and ensuring that Black voices are heard in the political process.

From the Reconstruction era to today, the church continues to play a central role in advocating for voting rights and political empowerment.

Clay Cane is a SiriusXM radio host and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans From the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump.