Thomas Dorsey

Celebrating Black History Month

Ray Williams Updated on Recommended Resources

Many recognize the names Harriot Tubman and Sojourner Truth.   But what about Thomas Dorsey? In his post, 10 African American Church Leaders Who Shaped Christianity in America, in ShareFaith Magazine, Zack Kincade writes, 

Born the son of a Baptist minister and a music teacher in Georgia, he knew both faith and song from an early age. The family moved from rural Georgia to the city of Chicago which gave Dorsey the opportunity to study music at the Chicago College of Composition and Arranging. He led jazz bands in speakeasies before he honed in on God’s real plan for his life. He established the first independent publisher of black Gospel music and founded the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. Among his influential songs is “Precious Lord”, written in the grief following the death of his first wife in childbirth in 1932 and known as Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song.   Read the full article here.

As our nation celebrates Black History Month, we not only give God thanks for these 10 men and women who have helped shape Christianity in America, it is a great time to learn about the contributions of courageous men and women who have helped shape our own community.  Here are a few ideas:

  • Learn about the courage of the Little Rock Nine through the eyes of Melba Pattillo Beals in her memoir Warrior’s Don’t Cry.
  • Watch the PBS Documentary Dreamland, the story of West 9th Street when it was once a vibrant, African-American business and entertainment district. Taborian Hall is the only remaining historic structure on West 9th Street and stands as a living witness of the street’s former glory days
  • Intentionally reach out to an older African American leader and ask him or her to share their story.

As we learn and reflect on both the injustices that were committed and the courage of these African American Leaders, may God call us to action to help bring racial healing and unity through Jesus Christ.  

But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. – 1 Corinthians 12:24-25

Ray Williams
Ray Williams has served as the Founder and President of CityChurch Network since its beginning in 1999. Previously, he served in multiple pastor roles at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock for 38 years. He and his wife Carolyn love to attend movies and travel together. They have two daughters and seven grandchildren who know him as “Papa Ray.” He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1977 and earned an M.A. in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from UA Little Rock in 1985. He is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry through the Antioch School for Church Planting and Leadership Development. His training as an Army Airborne Ranger and active-duty service as an Infantry officer in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1977 to 1981 earned him the nickname “Ranger Ray” with some of his long-term friends.