Religious leaders, diversity, and racial justice: limits and opportunities

Abstract

Religious organizations and their leaders have historically played pivotal roles in racial justice movements in the United States. However, the contemporary American context differs significantly from earlier social conditions. This article examines the opportunities and challenges facing religious leaders committed to advancing racial justice today. Drawing on two studies – one focused on Black religious leaders and the other on leaders of multiracial churches, encompassing a total of 160 participants – I explore how these leaders engage in the pursuit of racial justice. I outline both the possibilities and limitations they encounter and argue that religious leaders remain essential in guiding us toward a more racially just future.