Truth's Table: Black Women's Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation

Description

FINALIST FOR THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD . A collection of essays and stories documenting the lived theology and spirituality we need to hear in order to lean into a more freeing, loving, and liberating faith-from the hosts of the beloved Truth's Table podcast "The liberating work of Truth's Table creates breathing room to finally have those conversations we've been needing to have."-Morgan Harper Nichols, artist and poet Once upon a time, an activist, a theologian, and a psychologist walked into a group chat. Everything was laid out on the table- Dating. Politics. The Black church. Pop culture. Soon, other Black women began pulling up chairs to gather round. And so, the Truth's Table podcast was born. In their literary debut, co-hosts Christina Edmondson, Michelle Higgins, and Ekemini Uwan offer stories by Black women and for Black women examining theology, politics, race, culture, and gender matters through a Christian lens. For anyone seeking to explore the spiritual dimensions of hot-button issues within the church, or anyone thirsty to deepen their faith, Truth's Table provides exactly the survival guide we need, including- . Michelle Higgins's unforgettable treatise revealing the way "racial reconciliation" is a spiritually bankrupt, empty promise that can often drain us of the ability to do real justice work . Ekemini Uwan's exploration of Blackness as the image of God in the past, present, and future . Christina Edmondson's reimagination of what a more just and liberating form of church discipline might look like-one that acknowledges and speaks to the trauma in the room These essays deliver a compelling theological re-education and pair the spiritual formation and political education necessary for Black women of faith.

Ekemini Uwan is a public theologian, contributing writer for Hallmark Mahogany, and the Inaugural Theologian-in-Residence for the Black Christian Experience Resource Center. She has appeared on MSNBC and NPR. Her writings have been published in The Atlantic and The Washington Post. Her insights have been quoted by CNN, The New York Times, and The New Yorker. Dr. Christina Edmondson is an educator. She holds a PhD in counseling psychology and an MS in family therapy. A certified cultural intelligence facilitator with experience in nonprofit, higher education, and corporate sectors, Dr. Edmondson often consults with organizations about diversity and equity, as well as mental health and faith issues. Her work and insights have been covered in The Atlantic, The Guardian, Essence, and CBS News. Michelle Higgins is senior pastor of Saint John's Church (The Beloved Community) in St. Louis, where she co-founded Faith for Justice, a collective of Christian activists, and serves as board chair of Action St. Louis, a political home for Black communities in the St. Louis region. The Truth's Table podcast won the 2021 Best Black Religion and Spirituality Podcast award from the Black Podcasting Awards and was named by The New York Times as one of its recommended "Race Related" podcasts. It has also received an Impact Award from the Institute for the Study of the Black Christian Experience, and has been ranked among Blk Pod Collective's Top 40 Black Podcasts.

"I closed this book feeling like I had just partaken in a multicourse meal-filled with grace and the courage to carry on-and I believe you'll finish this book feeling the same way."-Morgan Harper Nichols, artist and poet "These pages offer beautiful stories of friendship, forgiveness, faith, and more. This is a necessary read for anyone pursuing a spirituality rooted in abiding love and true liberation."-Ayo Tometi, human rights advocate and co-founder of Black Lives Matter "With rich theology and cultural awareness, these women are igniting a fire in the hearts of many. Their words have challenged and changed me into a better, healthier version of me."-Lecrae, two-time Grammy Award-winning artist "An amazing tome of truth . . . These three dynamic authors manage to tap into heart issues of today's Black Christian women. You'll fall in love with the transparency in this book as it elicits poignant reflection and stimulates positive repositioning."-Dr. Teresa Hairston, founder and publisher emeritus of Gospel Today "People often say, 'Listen to Black women.' Now, with Truth's Table, you have your chance. We do not deserve the gift of this book, but, once again, Black women have generously served us all. If we are to actually alleviate the immense burdens our sistas bear, then we must heed these words."-Dr. Jemar Tisby, New York Times bestselling author and co-host of the Pass the Mic podcast "Shines a light on some of our most vulnerable places as Black women . . . A clarion call to consider our communal truths by opening ourselves up to a deeper inner truth."-Joy Harden Bradford, PhD, founder of Therapy for Black Girls "Truth, brilliance, and liberation are found through these words. . . . They are a balm for the soul and the culture."-Lisa V. Fields, founder and president of the Jude 3 Project "There is a textured knowing in this book, a spiritual enlightenment made brighter by the authors' own personal breakthroughs. The way they describe the fabric of our collective trauma makes me trust their solutions."-T. Morgan Dixon, co-founder of GirlTrek "In Truth's Table, we are offered a seat to eavesdrop on the resilience required to build America, the courage to withstand injustice, and the love that inspires devotion."-Dr. Charlie Dates, senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church "These essays will make you laugh, cry, and think critically. Truth's Table is a must-read for anyone who is in a spiritual rut or demands more from the church."-Rev. Dr. Brianna K. Parker, CEO, Black Millennial Cafe "A rich and relevant anthology of theological conversations."-Rev. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin, author of Made to Lead