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October 1, 2025
James Abbington, the first Bethea Professor of the Practice of Sacred Music and Black Church Studies, was a world-renowned musician and scholar of the traditions and contributions from music in the Black Church.
May 12, 2025
The hiring of Abbington as the inaugural endowed chair was made possible by a $5 million award from The Duke Endowment to boost Black Church studies at the school.
October 3, 2024
Duke Giving
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.