- ECPA compiles Christian book list on Racial Justice and lists of 1300+ titles from authors of color in several categories
- ECPA webcasts include conversations on “Christian Publishing and Racial Justice” and “Diversity Initiatives that Sustain Change”
- ECPA PubU Online to feature keynote and track of sessions on Diversity & Inclusion
UPDATED ON JULY 27, 2020
by Stan Jantz, President and CEO, ECPA
TEMPE, ARIZ. — June 8, 2020 — In the last 90 days, the world has forever changed. Though we may not yet see the lasting impacts of the current global pandemic and culture-wide lament against racial injustice — we do more clearly see the responsibility that publishing, especially Christian publishing, can and must have to inspire hope and offer tools for change.
Publishing has always been a valuable vehicle for reform and change in times of crisis. “This is precisely the time when artists go to work,” Toni Morrison wrote. “… We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.” And so it is that artists—especially artists of color—are working with publishers on books and resources that will respond to our current crisis. In the meantime, we can look to the books already published that offer important perspectives on the things we need to do as well as the people we want to become.
CHRISTIAN BOOKS ON RACIAL JUSTICE
To that end, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has compiled a list of Christian Books on Racial Justice. The publishing members of ECPA were asked to submit their recommendations, and the response was both overwhelming and encouraging.
More than 140 books are on the list. Some are classics like Let Justice Roll Down by Dr. John Perkins, and some are brand new, such as Is Christianity a White Man’s Religion?: How the Bible Is Good News for People of Color by Dr. Antipas Harris. Some of the listed books are inspiring, while others are challenging. Yet all offer important perspectives on the things we need to do as well as the people we want to become. ECPA has followed this list with additional Christian book lists by Authors of Color.
A NEEDED CONVERSATION: CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING AND RACIAL JUSTICE
ECPA presented a special webcast to ask and answer the question: How can publishers speak to the issue of racial justice? A panel of leading voices from the Christian publishing and writing community offered their perspectives on a way forward to a place of hope, healing, and change – featuring LaDonna Boyd, President & CEO, R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp.; Trillia Newbell, author of several books and acquisitions editor at Moody Publishers; Skot Welch, Founder and President, Global Bridgebuilders; and Jeff Wright, President & CEO, Urban Ministries, Inc.
Another webinar was held on July 16 on “Diversity Initiatives that Sustain Meaningful Change” with Dr. Theon Hill (Associate Professor, Wheaton College), Jevon Bolden (CEO, Embolden Media), and Skot Welch (Founder, Global Bridgebuilders).
PubU ONLINE TO FEATURE DIVERSITY & INCLUSION TRACK OF SESSIONS
ECPA will soon be announcing the program for PubU Online, a series of training webinars for publishing practitioners that will be held throughout the month of September. The program’s theme will be, “Publishing in a Time of Crisis.” Sessions will be in tracks for Marketing, Editorial, Data-Delivery-Workflow, and a new track on Diversity & Inclusion. The track will be led by Dr. Theon Hill, race scholar and professor of communications at Wheaton College. Dr. Hill will also deliver the opening webcast session on August 31. Additional details on the PubU Online program is available at ECPAPubU.org.
ECPA has compiled additional industry resources to promote diversity on their website at ECPA.org/page/DIVERSITY. Resources include:
- Industry White Papers on Diversity
- Consulting Services of Global Bridgebuilders
- Programming at ECPA events
- Emerging Leader program
- Publishing in Color conferences
- Christian Publishing Professionals of Color
- Christian Book Proposals .com
- ECPA Career Center
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content.
For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org ECPA.org @ECPA
Media contact: Stan Jantz, ECPA President and CEO, sjantz@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998
