Published September 1, 2026

Throughout this season, the Office of Black Church Studies at Duke Divinity School can look back and gratefully see how "we've come this far by faith." God has walked with us as we mourn the passing of Dr. William C. Turner Jr. and begin the first academic year since the founding of OBCS over 50 years ago without his active contribution as a student, faculty member, or engaged alumnus. 

We also have a testimony of joy to share in the highlights from this year. We give glory to God for the opportunity to continue the essential, important mission and work of OBCS to nurture effective leaders, to build scholarly and spiritual community, and to extend resources from the Black Church context.

As we enter into the Centennial year of Duke Divinity School, I can think of a hundred good reasons (at least) to be hopeful, despite the recent losses. Each student in this year's class is a ray of hope, lighting the path toward our next 100 years. May God continue to bless all who have passed through our doors, and those who will follow the light here in years to come.

—Quinton Dixie, Associate Research Professor of the History of Christianity in the United States and Black Church Studies; Director of the Office of Black Church Studies

Nurturing Student Formation, Community, and Scholarship

  • Student Preaching Program
    OBCS students are partnered with a local congregation led by OBCS alumni to preach one Sunday in both fall and spring semesters. 
  • OBCS Fellows Gatherings
    OBCS Fellows have monthly gatherings for fellowship and conversation on the theme, "Theology And ..." Guest speakers include Divinity professors, alumni, and scholars and church leaders.
  • Conference Opportunities
    OBCS provided opportunities for students to attend some of the premier Black Church conferences in the nation: Hampton University Minister's Conference, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Ralph Douglas West IC3 Conference, and the Women in Ministry Conference.
  • Student Scholarship at World Christianity Conference in Brazil
    Professor Eric Williams traveled with four OBCS students who presented papers at the international conference: “When the Spirit Takes Flesh: Currents of Afro-Diasporic Spirituality Among Hispanic Pentecostals,” by Angel Munoz; “Communal, Liberative, and Redemptive: The Winds of Black American Pentecostalism,” by Daniel Parham; “Toward an African Theological Aesthetics: The Religious Art of Bruce Onobrakpeya,” by Chinwe Edeani; and “Thinning The Veil: Sacred Time and Embodied Praise in the Black Pentecostal Tradition,“ by Payton Silket.
  • C3 Nights
    Late-night study sessions focused on contemplation, composition, and collaboration: reflecting on academic work, developing effective writing, and building supportive relationships
  • Stole Ceremony
    Celebrating 16 graduating students, and their families, who successfully completed the necessary requirements for the certificate in Black Church Studies with the presentation of OBCS stoles
An African American woman stands at large wooden pulpit wearing clerical collar and colorful alb

OBCS Collaborations at Duke Divinity School

  • The Jill Raitt Lectures, with the Women’s Center
    Given by the Rev. Joanne Browne Jennings, director of Black Church Studies at Yale Divinity School
  • Public Witness and Reformed Theology, with the Presbyterian/Reformed House of Studies and the Center for Reconciliation
    The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, director of the Office of Public Witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • Commemoration of Frederick Herzog’s Legacy, with the Office of the Dean
    A chapel service and panel to honor Herzog's legacy of faith and justice and enduring influence on the school’s mission and identity
  • Lunch & Lecture, with Global and Intercultural Formation, Hispanic House of Studies, Asian House of Studies, and Black Seminarians Union
    The Rev. Dr. Joshua Settles, senior research fellow at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission, and Culture in Ghana, spoke on "The Growing Centers of World Christianity and Its Implications for the Theological Task"
  • Emerging Ministry Scholars, with the Office of Admissions
    Hosted a group of Emerging Ministry Scholars, undergraduate students from across the country who were discerning their vocational call and opportunities at Duke Divinity School
  • Book Launch events, with Dr. Wylin Wilson
    To celebrate her new book Womanist Bioethics, a panel discussion with Mark Anthony Neal, Quinton Dixie, Valerie Cooper, and Jilian Palmer was held at Duke; a community event was held at First Calvary Baptist Church in Durham, N.C.

OBCS in the Community

  • Gardner C. Taylor Preaching service and reception, with First Calvary Baptist Church in Durham, N.C., and North Carolina Baptist Women in Ministry
    A reception held after the Gardner C. Taylor worship service at First Calvary Baptist Church for alumni, friends, and the Durham community 
  • Black Religious Autobiography Summer Seminar, with Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
    A week-long seminar exploring the autobiographical writings of Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Howard Thurman, Ida B. Wells, and other Black autobiographers and memoirists who used their life stories as weapons in the quest for freedom and humanization
  • Pastor’s Breakfast, with Monument of Faith Church
    Hosted by OBCS alumnus Bishop Clarence Laney, pastor of Monument of Faith Church, an event for pastors in the Durham community for encouragement and exploration for future collaborations
  • Women Discerning Calls to Ministry, at the Women in Ministry conference
    Conversation sessions with women interested in advanced theological training and Duke Divinity programs, at the Women in Ministry Conference led by alumna the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale
  • Duke Divinity School at IC3
    Hosted the annual "Duke Dinner at IC3" for over 50 alumni and friends of Duke Divinity School
  • Duke Divinity at the Hampton University Minister’s Conference
    Hosted the annual Duke Divinity Alumni luncheon for more than 60 alumni, faculty, staff, and students
  • Faith Leaders at the Governor’s Mansion
    The Rev. Krystal Berry joined faith leaders from around North Carolina to meet with Governor Josh Stein and his cabinet on ways to be involved in community initiatives
A man in a short-sleeved brown floral shirt stands at a lecturn with a microphone
A Black woman in a red blazer holds a microphone preaching behind large wooden pulpit

Sankofa Preaching Series

Throughout Black History Month in February, OBCS hosted its annual Sankofa Alumni Preaching Series, inviting Black alumni to preach each Tuesday during worship in Goodson Chapel.

Established in 2014, the series celebrates the distinct contributions of the school’s alumni of African descent and creates space for their voices to shape the community’s worship life.This year’s preachers included the Rev. Latoya Floyd (MDiv’25), the Rev. Eric Edwards (MDiv’23), the Rev. Angela Taylor (MDiv’10, DMin'26), and the Rev. Dr. Mycal Brickhouse (MDiv’16, DMin’24).

Across the sermons, a common thread emerged: a God-given calling to participate—to use one’s knowledge and gifts for God’s work in the world.

OBCS Staff Milestones

  • Dr. Quinton Dixie Named Director of Office of Black Church Studies
    Dr. Dixie is associate research professor of the history of Christianity in the United States and Black Church studies at Duke Divinity School
  • The Rev. Krystal Berry Earns ThM Degree
    The Rev. Berry graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary with a ThM in Old Testament Theological Interpretation; her thesis is entitled “Outsiders to Ancestors: Ruth, Rahab, and the Unconventional Path to Christ’s Genealogy.”
  • The Rev. Dr. Craig Glover Hines Earns DMin Degree
    The Rev. Dr. Hines graduated with from Duke Divinity School with his DMin degree; his thesis is entitled “The Lives Inside: Howard Thurman, Strange Freedoms, and The Inner Life of Carceral Contemplation."
A Black man wearing graduation robes holds two young children and one of them is wearing his graduation cap
Close-up of program for Turner memorial

In Memoriam

The Office of Black Church Studies and Duke Divinity School mourn the passing of two giants who transformed fields of theology, homiletics, music, and ministry in both the church and academy. 

  • The Rev. Dr. William C. Turner Jr., James T. and Alice Mead Cleland Professor Emeritus of the Practice of Preaching
    Turner was a pastor, preacher, and educator whose more than five decades of service shaped Duke Divinity School, strengthened ties between Duke University and the Durham community, expanded the study and witness of the Black church, and advanced campus civil rights.
  • Dr. James Abbington, inaugural Joseph B. Bethea Chair in Black Church Studies
    Abbington was one of the foremost scholars of church sacred music and a sought-after musician and leader whose work illuminated the significance of the Black church and its hymnody for generations to come. He passed away shortly before he was to arrive at Duke Divinity School as the inaugural Bethea Chair in Black Church Studies.

2025–26 Photo Gallery

Eight African Americans stand for a photo in front of a decorative blue screen
OBCS attendees at the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference
A group of about 20 African Americans surround a Black man kneeling in the front and smiling at the camera
Gathering with the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley
Five African Americans smile with palm trees and buildinds in the background
OBCS students with the Rev. Dr. Eric Lewis Williams in Brazil
Three Black men stand in a room wearing Duke T-shirts
Wearing Duke gear in the AMCR
Two Black women in graduation regalia hug with Duke Chapel in the background
The Rev. Krystal Berry (right) hugs a graduate
A man stands in white liturgical robe behind wooden pulpit, with a casket in the foreground covered in red and blue flowers
The Rev. Dr. Luke Powery speaking at the memorial service for the Rev. Dr. William Turner
A Black man wearing a clerical collar stands behind large wooden pulpit
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins preaching in Goodson Chapel
A large blue banner says 2025 Black Religious Autobiography Summer Seminar
Dr. James Abbington speaking at the Black Religious Autobiography event
A Black man wearing a white cable cardigan sweater stands at small lectern with windows and a crucifix behind him
Dr. Quinton Dixie introduces a Sankofa preacher in Duke Chapel