The Office of Black Church Studies | Duke Divinity School

We teach, research, publish, and create experiences to nurture effective leaders for the church, the academy, and the world. We seek to enrich the work and witness of Duke Divinity School—with both theological and spiritual resources from Black Church contexts.

Upcoming Events

Join us for lecture series, worship events, conferences, and more.

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Tue, Apr 1, 2025 | 11:45am - 5pm | Duke Divinity School

2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture

The Office of Black Church Studies is hosting the 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship and Lecture with Dr. Cheryl Sanders, professor of Christian Ethics at the Howard University School of Divinity.

Tue, Apr 1, 2025 | 11:45am - 12:30pm | Goodson Chapel

2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Worship

Duke Divinity School will hold a Service of the Word in collaboration with the Office of Black Church Studies for the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. worship service with Dr. Cheryl Sanders preaching.

Wed, Apr 2, 2025 | 6pm - Thu, Apr 3, 2025 | 9pm | Duke Divinity School 00 Westbrook Hallway

Steve Prince Mini-Residency and Duke Divinity's Inaugural Art Gallery Opening

Duke Divinity School celebrates the school's first formal gallery space with an evening concert and artist mini-residency with Steve Prince.

Latest News

Read the latest news and announcements from the Office of Black Church Studies.

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October 3, 2024

$5 Million Award From The Duke Endowment to Boost Black Church Studies

The grant will be used to recruit and support a senior faculty member specializing in Black church studies to foster research and field-defining work in an academic, theological context.

August 12, 2024

Field Education Highlight: Samira Foster

For many students, like Samira Foster, M.Div. '27, field education is their first opportunity to work in a ministry setting and is an invaluable component of their theological education. These placements involve serving in contextual learning opportunities in churches, nonprofits, and other settings under the guidance of a trained supervisor.

May 29, 2024

Wylin Wilson Awarded Intellectual Community Planning Grant

The grant from the Office of the Provost will support Dr. Wilson's project, which addresses the Black maternal health crisis in North Carolina by engaging bioethics, healthcare, and Black churches. Read more from the Duke Office of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Our Programs

Certificate in Black Church Studies

The Certificate in Black Church Studies aims to help strengthen the body of Christ through critical reflection, dialogue, and practice for those who are interested in the intersection of race, faith, and Christian witness, particularly in the tradition of Black churches.

Black Church Studies Fellowship

The Black Church Studies Fellowship program is designed for students pursuing the Certificate in Black Church Studies while enrolled in the residential Master of Divinity degree program. The program includes full-tuition scholarship and signature programming.

Course Offerings

Learn about classes in Black Church studies that are intensely interdisciplinary, ecumenical, and intellectually inclusive.

“Studying at Duke Divinity has helped me to foster a particular fortitude, as my convictions, formed out of the Black church tradition, are brought into the discussion of the broader theological conversation.”