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Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America — Rita Omokha

Beginning Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m.

Open Book: Kin-dom Conversations

A Vibrant Weekly Place for Conversation & Connection

Pull up a chair and join the conversation! Open Book: Kin-dom Conversations is a welcoming book club where we explore faith, justice, spirituality, and the world around us through thoughtful reading and honest discussion. Whether you’re a lifelong reader or simply looking for meaningful conversation and a great group of people, there’s a place for you.

Beginning Wednesday, September 16, we’re starting a brand-new book: Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America by Rita Omokha.

What does courageous hope look like across generations? Omokha introduces us to young Black activists whose courage, resilience, and determination have helped shape America’s ongoing pursuit of justice. Together, we’ll explore how ordinary people can create extraordinary change—and what faithful resistance looks like in our own time.

📖 New Book: Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America by Rita Omokha
📅 Begins: Wednesday, September 16
🕖 Time: 7:00 p.m.
📍 Join us: In person at Oak Lawn UMC or on Zoom

Come with your questions, your curiosity, and an open heart. Together, we’ll read deeply, listen well, and imagine what God’s kin-dom looks like in our lives and our world.

Register Here

Reading Plan – RESIST:

DateFocus
9/16Ch. 1 — A Revolution Awakens: HBCU Revolts & Ella Baker
9/23Ch. 2 — A Resistance Rises: The Scottsboro Nine
9/30Ch. 3 — An Uprising Comes: The Gentlemen's Agreement & the Bates Seven
10/7Part I Reflection — connecting threads across chapters 1–3
10/14Ch. 4 — The Civil Rights Movement: Barbara Johns
10/21Ch. 5 — The Revolt Cemented: SNCC & Charlie Cobb
10/28Ch. 6 — Black Power Rises: The Wilmington Ten & Students Against Apartheid
11/4Part II Reflection — connecting threads across chapters 4–6
11/11Ch. 7 — Tougher on Blacks: The Jena Six
11/18Ch. 8 — A Resurrection of Black Liberation: Johnetta Elzie
11/25No discussion (Thanksgiving week)
12/2Ch. 9 — The Matter of George Floyd: Darnella Frazier & 21st-Century Freedom Fighters
12/9Closing Discussion — special guest & Q&A

Reading as a Spiritual Practice

Books have the power to open hearts, expand minds, and draw us closer to one another. Open Book: Kin-dom Conversations is more than a book club—it’s a community of curious readers committed to listening well, asking good questions, and growing together.

Throughout the year, we’ll read authors from a wide range of cultures, identities, and lived experiences—including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and global voices. Some books will challenge us, some will comfort us, and many will do both. Together, we’ll explore stories and ideas that help us discover hope where it’s needed most, remain grounded in God’s love during noisy and uncertain times, and imagine what it means to build God’s kin-dom together.

Our conversations aren’t about having all the right answers. They’re about making room for one another, listening with compassion, and allowing God to shape us through Scripture, story, and honest dialogue.

As a community that seeks to amplify God’s love through radical hospitality, serving our neighbors, and standing up for justice, we believe reading can be a spiritual practice—one that helps us see the world through another’s eyes and hear the Spirit speaking in unexpected places.

Check out the other books we have planned!

Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America — Rita Omokha

What does courageous hope look like across generations? Journalist Rita Omokha introduces us to young Black activists whose faith, resilience, and determination have helped shape America’s ongoing pursuit of justice. Together, we’ll explore how ordinary people can create extraordinary change—and what faithful resistance looks like in our own time.Here’s a preview of what your website’s text will look like by default. You can also adjust the typography of most elements separately. Note that the Font Size setting affects all the sizes defined in “rem” units, that is, almost all areas of your site.

When We See You Again — Rachel Goldberg-Polin & Jon Polin

Written in the wake of unimaginable loss, this deeply moving memoir invites readers into a story of love, grief, resilience, and hope. As we journey alongside Rachel and Jon, we’ll reflect on how compassion, community, and faith can sustain us through life’s most difficult moments while reminding us of our shared humanity.

A Black Queer History of the United States — C. Riley Snorton

History is richer when more voices are heard. C. Riley Snorton uncovers the often-overlooked stories of Black LGBTQ+ people whose lives have shaped American history and culture. Together, we’ll discover how listening to diverse stories deepens our understanding of justice, belonging, and the beautiful diversity of God’s beloved community.

Current Book Study Resources & Links

Come back as the discussion continues!

We amplify God’s love through radical hospitality, serving our neighbors and standing up for justice.

3014 Oak Lawn Avenue | Dallas, Texas 75219 | 214-521-5197

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