Archive
2024 Shurden Lectures: Whose Country Is It Anyway?
Watch 2024 Shurden Lectures: “Whose Country Is It Anyway?” The Rev. Dr. Joseph Evans and the Rev. Dr. Christopher The brought their unique experiences and expertise to a conversation on religious and …
CapRadio: Najuma Smith on Solidarity within Black and Asian American Communities
What does racial solidarity look like among communities of color? CRCC’s Rev. Najuma Smith was interviewed on CapRadio’s Mid Pacific about the complex relationship the Black community has with the Asian American …
L.A. Times: Najuma Smith on the LAPD Civilian Review Process
The Los Angeles Times interviewed CRCC’s Najuma Smith about her decision to volunteer for Los Angeles Police Department civilian review process. The Times investigation found that some reviewers have been chosen repeatedly …
Roundtable of Faith Leaders and Vice President Kamala Harris on Reproductive Health
Vice President Kamala Harris recently hosted a roundtable with faith leaders on the state of reproductive health care in the United States. The event, held at the Los Angeles County Federation of …
For Covering and Joy: A Prayer for Black History Month
Najuma Smith-Pollard helped University of Southern California kick off Black History Month with a prayer for the university-wide event, “Black Joy: Embracing Health and Vitality.” Watch the prayer or read the full …
Community Storytelling for Policy Change: 30th anniversary of LA Civil Unrest
In times of turmoil, storytelling can be a catalyst for policy change as well as a symbol for healing and resistance. As we recognize the 30th anniversary of the Los Angeles Uprising, …
Unwrapping Christmas Traditions in US and Around the World – Dornsife Dialogues
Christmas is so popular that it’s celebrated by 85% of Americans and approximately 2 billion Christians and non-Christians in 160 countries. But what is the origin of this holiday and how is …
An Interfaith Dialogue on the Crisis Care Needs of Faith Communities
Faith leaders share about the behavioral health crises affecting diverse faith communities and the critical role they play as a support system during times of crisis. This panel was a part of …
The End (of Lockdown) is Near: Opening Houses of Worship in a Time of Uncertainty
I had just announced our church’s plans to resume in-person worship when someone called and told me they had contracted COVID-19. Immediately, I second-guessed the decision to reopen our worship building for …
In Wake of Chauvin Trial, What Can Faith Leaders Learn From the Rodney King LA Civil Unrest?
This article was originally published in Religion News Service and The Washington Post. As the U.S. reacts to the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, many are wary of violence …
Showing Up! Female Faith Leadership in the COVID-19 Pandemic
This post was originally published on the Berkley Forum, as part of a series on Gender, Religion and COVID-19. As a female pastor and community faith leader, I found myself called to …
Black Female Leadership within LAPD: Untold Stories!
High-ranking African-American female leadership in the Los Angeles Police Department share untold stories of issues around racial equity, internal culture and politics of the LAPD, and being a Black woman in law …
Fatal Intersections of Black Women and the Law: The Case of Breonna Taylor
This article was originally published by the Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion. I live in Los Angeles, California, near what seems to me to be one of the …
COVID-19: The Essential Problem with State-Faith Relations
This article was originally published in The Hill. A Los Angeles-area church is the latest to make national headlines by defying public health orders and gathering in-person as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Grace …
John Lewis: Good Trouble
Inspired by the legacy and work of the late John Lewis, Najuma Smith-Pollard moderates a discussion with Umar Hakim-Dey of ILM Foundation and Salam Al-Marayati of Muslim Public Affairs Council about racial …
Dornsife Dialogues: The Truth of Being Black in America
What are the ways that the health and lives of some Americans are in jeopardy simply because they’re black? And what can we do to help change that? As part of Dornsife …
Virtual Town Hall: Najuma Smith-Pollard, Congressman Adam Schiff, and Faith Leaders on the “Quadruple-threat Crises”
Los Angeles-area faith leaders joined Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) for a Zoom town hall. Moderated by Najuma Smith-Pollard, program manager of the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, the interfaith leaders …
A Prayer for Mothers at George Floyd Memorial
During George Floyd’s memorial, Najuma Smith-Pollard, program manager of the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, led a prayer for mothers. The following is a transcript of the prayer: God in …
Building Back Better: A Multi-faith Town Hall with Rep. Adam Schiff
As we work towards coronavirus recovery, communities across America are beginning to envision what it could look like to not just return to the way things were, but to build back better. …
Say Their Names: Honoring Black Lives – USC Vigil
In the spirit of solidarity and support, USC hosted an online university vigil honoring the lives of those who have died as the result of systemic anti-Black racism and police brutality in …