Black African Ministries (BAM) Report

Black African Ministries (BAM) has resumed virtual meetings. We had our first meeting on March 8, 2025. We had a guest speaker, author and activist Gordon Okumu, who shared about his work for social and ecological renewal in East Africa and the inspiring  story of his journey from Kenya to the U.S.

He and his wife have founded a non-profit, Angels of Africa. Gordon and Robin co-authored “Crossing Waiyaki Way: A True Story of Poverty, Prayer, and Politics” in Kenya.

BAM is collaborating with The Office for African Decent Ministries, Western Regional UBE, and the Diocese of Arizona to host an in person  Internalized Oppression training in September or October of 2025. This will be held in Arizona.

I am the sole coordinator for BAM at this time as my former co-coordinator, Stacey Forte-Dupree stepped down in October 2024.

UBE of the Pacific Northwest and I are in discussion on ways that we can partner for meetings and gatherings as we have mutual members.

We are planning to collaborate with (UBE) of the Pacific Northwest on a book that honors BIPOC saints/saints of color. They have identified someone who can help write and compile this and BAM will contribute to the creation and publication of this book.

I am developing a proposal to ask the Diocese of Olympia to help with financial administrative tasks for BAM, specifically helping with financial matters as we have some funds from the grant we received in 2024.

Respectfully Submitted, 

Sherina James

Black African Ministries (BAM) 

Coordinator, Province VIII