Addressing Differential Impacts of Covid-19 in NYS: COVID-19 & The Black Church

Abstract

Throughout American history, the Black Church has endured and overcome every crisis and continues to stand during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. As the most recognized, trusted, and stable social institution in Black communities, churches have significantly enhanced psychological, health, educational, and cultural well-being. From March 2020 to present day, the Black Church has helped to make sense of, and support public health responses to, life sustaining practices. The research literature offered no record on how New York Black Churches might make necessary adjustments to the historic health crisis. In order to examine how Black Churches persisted through the COVID-19 pandemic, the present study explored the type of public health information shared on church-related social media sites. Secondly, researchers captured recollections from Senior Pastors about the decision-making process and actions taken to maintain the Black Church’s presence. The qualitative study analyzed data using ATLAS.ti (version 9. 0) from 20 randomly selected New York Black Churches varying in denomination and congregation size. Findings revealed how many churches provided food, clothing, masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant, and communal prayer to all who needed it. Technology became essential for many churches to virtually support congregants through prayer and remain a steadfast, trusted resource within the Black community. Our study underscored that the Black Church, as an institution, continues to serve as strong partners for any public health social work effort in that it is supportive, culturally appropriate, and can be responsive to needed interventions improving the lives of Black populations.