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.

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.

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.

gOD-Talk is the culmination project of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture Center for the Study of African American Religious Life, in association with the Pew Research Center, five-year study of Black Millennials. The featured length film explores the lives of seven Black Millennials—Atheist, Buddhist, Christians, Muslim, Ifa, and Spiritualist—and the challenges and discoveries with faith and spirituality.

According to the 2021 “Faith Among Black Americans Survey” conducted by the Pew Research Center, American millennials—persons born between the years 1981 and 1996—are less religious than older Americans. While millennials are less likely to ascribe to traditional forms of religious observance, the study maintains that they remain religious, nonetheless. With the rise of the “spiritual but not religious” designation has come the overall decline of participation in mainline religious traditions for Americans. While the decline in Black religious communities has not been as drastic as White communities, there are still lingering questions concerning the relevance, mission, and overall purpose of organized religion in the 21st century for Black American Millennials.

From issues pertaining to gender and sexuality, abuse and trauma, hip-hop culture and music, gentrification, race and racism, patriarchy, and more, the film explores a rising phenomenon of religious and spiritual shifts among the largest generation and one of the most influential demographics in the U.S, Black Millennials.

Film Crew

Principals

Black Millennial Oral History Interviews

Since 2018, the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life has conducted more than 50 oral history interviews with Black Millennials on their faith and formation. Watch the full oral history interviews with these Black Millennials also featured in gOD-Talk.  

• Kionte “KiKi” Bryant, author, and creator of Uppity Negress Podcast (Chicago, IL) Atheist  

• Tyree Boyd-Pates, associate curator Autry Museum (Los Angeles, CA) Pentecostal Christian  

• Ihklas Saleem, co-founder of Identity Politics Podcast (Chicago, IL) Muslim 

• Prince Ben Asiel,  

• Anazogini Anne Khubeer, criminal justice officer, (Dallas, TX) Baha’i  

• Dr. Kholi Murchison, writer, diviner, and entrepreneur (Winston-Salem, NC) Christian 

• Holley M. Kholi-Murchison, artist, geographer, and homesteader (Winston-Salem, NC) Spiritual   

• Joshua Mangana, account executive (Dallas, TX) Hebrew 

• Alma Thomas, congregational member, Sisters of the Holy Family (New Orleans, LA) Roman Catholic  

• Dr. Aaron Matthews, musical director St. Charles Catholic Parish & School (Hartland, WI), Roman Catholic  

• Jade T. Perry, writer, speaker, educator, and artist (Chicago, IL) Rogue Churchy Mystic  

• Devi Brown, master well-being educator & healer, storyteller, corporate advisor, and author (Los Angeles, CA) Spiritual  

Past gOD-Talk Episodes

Catch up on the first season of gOD-Talk by watching one of the seven episodes:  

Past 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.

Film Shooting Photos  

Recent Awards