Latest News

Read our latest announcements and news
$5 Million Award From The Duke Endowment to Boost Black Church Studies
October 3, 2024
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.
Wylin Wilson Awarded Intellectual Community Planning Grant
May 29, 2024
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.
The Office of Black Church Studies Hosts 2024 Sankofa Alumni Preaching Series
March 5, 2024
The Sankofa Alumni Preaching Series, established in 2014 during Black History Month, is hosted by the Office of Black Church Studies to celebrate the distinct contributions of the school’s alumni of African descent.

Features

In-depth stories and feature articles.
Field Education Highlight: Samira Foster
August 12, 2024
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.
New Divinity Faculty Lead Houses of Study
September 20, 2023
The Very Rev. Timothy Kimbrough, Jack and Barbara Bovender Professor of the Practice of Anglican Studies will direct the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies; and the Rev. Dr. Eric Lewis Williams, assistant professor of theology and Black Church studies will direct the Office of Black Church Studies.
The Office of Black Church Studies Celebrates 50 Years
May 16, 2023
The celebration events on April 17–18, 2024 featured gospel singer Yolanda Adams, a documentary film, and the MLK lectures and services.

Opinions

Viewpoints from faculty, staff, and alumni.
Cynthia Hale preaches in Goodson Chapel
October 11, 2023
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale argues that the church must develop a social justice ministry to be faithful to the call of Jesus.
Message from the Dean: A Call for Witness, Study, and Self-Examination to Address Systemic Racism and Injustice
June 9, 2020
Duke Divinity School must be a leader in examining and seeking to change systemic patterns of racism and other injustice, the dean writes in a letter to the Divinity School community.
woman wearing mask
April 21, 2020
Professor Valerie Cooper on how the black community in the United States has grown expert at enduring the unendurable.