The rise of the “spiritual but not religious” designation has led to a decline of millennial participation in mainline religious traditions with many questioning the relevance, mission, and overall purpose of organized religion in the 21st century.

Black and white digital image depicts protesters praying. The man in the center has his right arm partially raised with this hand open.

Captured on April 25, 2015, the day of a major peace rally and later uprisings in Baltimore, Maryland following the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. Gray died from spinal cord injuries sustained while in police custody.

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jermaine Gibbs © Jermaine Gibbs

According to the 2015 Religious Landscape Survey by the Pew Research Center, American millennials born between the years 1981 and 1996 are less religious than older Americans. The study affirms that millennials are less likely to ascribe to traditional forms of religious observance, but remain religious in their own right. They are finding and creating new spaces to have different kinds of conversations that are not offered in traditional religious contexts.

Upcoming Events

gOD-Talk 2.0: Hip-Hop & #BlackFaith

Join us Sunday August 14, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. EDT for the seventh episode of the award-winning web series exploring the relationship between hip-hop and Black expressions of faith and spirituality. Stream the conversation on Facebook or YouTube and join our community on social using #gODTalk #BlackFaith #SmithsonianHipHop.

Learn More about gOD-Talk 2.0: Hip-Hop & #BlackFaith

About gOD-Talk

gOD-Talk is a groundbreaking project led by the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life in association with the Pew Research Center which seeks to:

  • Uncover how millennials interact with religion and the transformative nature of community, the internet, and space.
  • Amplify leading millennial voices including activists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, athletes, academicians, religious leaders, and politicians by creating a space for their experiences to be shared and documented.
  • Create an opportunity for religious organizations and leaders, researchers, and engaged citizens to better understand the dynamic ways Black millennials engage with religion.

By using a lower case "g" for the word "gOD' we are highlighting the ways in which this project will "transgress" traditional boundaries and literal designations of that which is considered scared.

Recent Events

gOD-Talk is a multi-city program culminating with the release of the feature documentary film, gOD-Talk in 2023. Stream previous gOD-Talk conversations on Facebook and download our Social Media Toolkit to join the social conversation using the hashtags #BlackFaith and #gODTalk.

Social Media Toolkit

gOD-Talk Dallas 2021

Picture of gOD Talk Dallas participants seated around table facing the camera

Brandon Allen

gOD-Talk Dallas 1 - Young wearing a hijab centered in photo with camera  in background

Brandon Allen

Image of a table a chairs setup in front of stage

Brandon Allen

Participants of gOD-Talk Dallas seated around table

Brandon Allen

gOD-Talk Dallas 1 - Young man centered in photo with camera man in background

Brandon Allen

Woman pictured at center, smiling. She is talking to a man seated to her right.

gOD-Talk 2.0 Digital Black Faith 2020

Birdseye view of gOD Talk Digital stage

Cetera Jacobs

gOD Talk Digital 1

Cetera Jacobs

gOD Talk Digital 2

Cetera Jacobs

Image of seated man, wearing a suit and a mask, in front of god-Talk sign

Cetera Jacobs

Image of a television monitor with multiple views of participants from god-Talk digital

Cetera Jacobs

gOD-Talk Los Angeles 2018

BK Freeman Photography & Design
BK Freeman Photography & Design
BK Freeman Photography & Design
BK Freeman Photography & Design
BK Freeman Photography & Design
BK Freeman Photography & Design

gOD-Talk Atlanta 2018

gODTalk Atlanta 2018
Jaxon Photo Group
Jaxon Photo Group
Jaxon Photo Group
Jaxon Photo Group
Jaxon Photo Group
Jaxon Photo Group

Recent Awards

Telly Award logo

 The Telly Awards, the world’s largest honor for video and television content across all screens, announced “gOD-Talk 2.0: Digital #BlackFaith” a 2021 winner in Social Video.

 

 

The Shorty Awards honor the best of social media and digital by recognizing the influencers, creators, brands and organizations on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and more. gOD-Talk won the Audience Honor in Cultural Institutions, Facebook Partnership.

Join Us on Social Media

 Tag @nmaahc and use #BlackFaith and #gODTalk to join the social conversation.

Share this page