Hands-On Black Churches | Folks

This episode of the series “Folks” from October 15, 1989, focuses on African American churches taking a hands-on approach to solving the social problems in their communities. Sonya Masingale profiles the Save Our Children program at New Prospect Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, a program offered on Saturday mornings to teach young children through guest speakers and field trips. This segment features highlights of the speech given by State Representative Raymond Jetson. Masingale also profiles the Summer Employment Program and Social Services Program at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. She interviews: Patricia Smith, summer employment program coordinator; Anita Anderson, participant; Effie Carter, employer participant; and Sandra Harrell-Hudson, social services program coordinator. Masingale also conducts an in-studio interview with Reverend Reginald Pitcher of New Prospect Baptist Church and Reverend Charles Smith of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. They discuss: the programs at their churches; their view of the role of the black church; the economic impact of the two National Black Baptist Conventions; the black church’s history of offering services to its members; and their vision for the future.