Black History Month is an annual celebration of the history and achievements of African Americans. It began in 1926, when Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). Since then, Black History Month has grown to honor and recognize the contributions made by black people throughout history despite all odds.
In addition to celebrating our history, Glide Memorial Church also celebrates Black Futures Month. Our artistic imagining explores the wants and needs of black individuals and the freedom that could come as a result of reparations and the repair of past traumas. As we move into a new era of understanding, it is our responsibility to come together in solidarity as we envision a world where black individuals and communities are free from the burdens of systemic racism, poverty, violence, and trauma that have been inflicted upon them for centuries.
Black Futures Month is an opportunity to recognize the work being done to ensure that Black people have access to resources, education, and opportunities necessary for a successful future. The goals of this month-long cerebration is to foster dialogue, create awareness, and inspire action towards achieving racial equity. By inspiring meaningful conversations and actionable plans, it aims to create a better future for Black people everywhere.
We invite you to learn more about both the black history and black futures work that was cultivated, curated and driven by the community at Glide Memorial Church. This is a living exhibit that is expanding as we digitize and memorialize the many people, communities and moments that created space, supported and inspired black futures.
Black Organizing and Activism at Glide Memorial Church
Black Pastors at Glide Memorial Church
- The Rev. Cecil Williams (Co-founder and pastor)
- Rev. Douglas E. Fitch (Co-pastor)
- Rev. Dr. Donald F. Guest (Co-pastor)
- Rev. Theon Johnson III (Associate Pastor)
- Rev. Angela Brown (Associate Pastor)
- Bishop Warner H. Brown (Interim Pastor)
- Rev. Jay Williams (Senior Pastor)
- Minister Marvin K White (Minister of Celebration)
Other Leaders at Glide Memorial Church
- Richard Dorsey (Musical Director)
- John Turk, Jr. (Musical Director)
- Ron Sutherland (Musical Director)
- Clifford Coulter (Change Band Member)
- Charles McNeal (Change Band Member)
- Howard Wiley (Change Band Member)
- Rosevelt Winchester
- Carolyn Huggins
- Mel Ford (Sound)
- Lew Sawyer (Staff and Sound)
- Jimmy Holmes (Glide Ensemble)
- Burnelle Smith (Glide Ensemble)
- Saundra Mayo (Glide Ensemble)
- Jean Jackson (Congregational Life)
- Linda Jackson (Congregational Life)
- Edna Watts (Staff)
- Anita Valentine (Staff)
- Milton Funchess (Usher)
- Virgil Herndon (Usher)
- Larry Lynch(Glide Ensemble)
- Louis Ashley (Staff)
- Jesse Cole (Glide Ensemble)
- Lonnie Hobson (Glide Ensemble)
- Betty Huston (Congregational Life)
- Steve Palmer (Glide Ensemble)
- Tommy Southerland (Congregational Life)
- James Johnson (GMC Staff)
- Will Evans (Staff)
- Eric Tatum (Staff)
- Dusty Williams (Staff – Cecil Williams’ brother)
- Reedy Williams (Staff – Cecil Williams’ brother)
- Johnnie Cavanagh (Cecil Williams’ sister)
- Vernon Bush (Music Director)
- Zoe Ellis (Assistant Music Director)
- Janice Maxine Reed (Change Band Member)
- Glenn Howell (Change Band Member)
- Eddie Hall (Change Band Member)
- Camryn Crump (Church Office Executive Assistant)
- LB Johnson (GMC Staff)
- Reggie Johnson (GMC Board Chair)
- Paula Farmer (GMC Board Member)
- George Bridges (GMC Board Member)
- Martin Soto (GMC Board Member)
- Andrea Henson (GMC Board Member)
- Winnie Runnels (Glide Ensemble)
- Emma Jean Foster (Glide Ensemble)
- Angela Yates (Glide Ensemble)
- AlVerta Harty (Glide Ensemble and Sound)
- Ronald Wells (Change Band)
- Betty William (Congregational Life)
- Julius Crane (Congregational Life)
- Classy Martin (Congregational Life)
- Will Phillips (Staff)
Other Leaders at GLIDE
- Willa Seldon (CEO)
- Rita Shimmin (Co Executive Director)
- Erby Foster (CFO/COO)
- Joyce Hayes (FYCC Director)
- Dr. Gina Fromer (President and CEO)
Black Faith Leaders at/with Glide Memorial Church
- Bishop Desmund Tutu
- Rev. Jesse Jackson
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
- Bishop Leontine Kelly
- Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder
- Rev. Hosea Williams
- Rev. Amos Brown
Black Artists and Performances at/with Glide Memorial Church
- Dr. Maya Angelou
- Guy Johnson
- Sammy Davis, Jr
- Oprah Winfrey
- Danny Glover
- Marvin Gaye
- Quincey Jones
- Dr. June Jordan
- Will Smith
- Jada Smith
- Alice Walker
- Roberta Flack
- Brian Freeman
- Ramekon O’Arwisters
- Clairdee
- Kenny Washington
- Rhonda Benin
- Ramona Laughing Brook Webb
- OysterKnife
- Martin Luther McCoy
- Goapele
Celebrities, Activists and Leaders at/with Glide Memorial Church
- Sylvester
- Dr. Angela Davis
- Taj Mahal
- Bobby McFerrin
- Renel
- Dick Gregory
- Bobby Seale
- Elridge Cleaver
- David Hillard
- Dick Gregory
- John Handy
- Dr. Carlton Goodlett
- Coretta Scott King
- Anita Hill
- Yolanda King
- Dr. James Lowery
- Gayle King
- Donna Shalala
- Eva J Paterson
- Andrew Young
- Willie Mays
- Ron Dellums
- Ralph Abernathy
- Vernon Jordan
Black Politicians and Civic Leaders at/with Glide Memorial Church
- Nelson Mandela
- President Barack Obama
- Vice President Kamala Harris
- Governor Willie L. Brown
- Maxine Waters
- Shirley Chisholm
- Mayor London Breed
- Barbara Lee
- Ron Dellums
- Grant Stockton Mickins III