Building Community

This book examines the intersection of African American history with that of the Bahá’í Faith in the United States. Since the turn of the twentieth century, Bahá’ís in America have actively worked to establish interracial harmony within its own ranks and to contribute to social justice in the wider community, becoming in the process one of the country’s most diverse religious bodies. Spanning from the start of the twentieth century to the early twenty-first, the essays in this volume examine aspects of the phenomenon of this religion confronting America’s original sin of racism and the significant roles African Americans came to play in the development of the Bahá’í Faith’s culture, identity, administrative structures, and aspirations.

Includes essays by Loni Bramson, Christopher Buck, Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis, Louis Venters, Mike McMullen, and June Manning Thomas

Where the Light Comes in is a collection of inspiring quotes and meditations from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and others such as Maya Angelou, Hafez, Rumi, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is designed to inspire healing of afflictions and diseases we experience personally, like illness and injury of our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies, as well as those that plague our communities and society, like prejudice, racism, and social injustice. These are all wounded places that, it is said, are where the light comes in. May you find a bit of solace, healing, and spiritual nourishment within these pages.

Prepared for the occasion of the centenary of the Master’s passing, this commemorative volume contains twenty-six newly translated prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

4 x 6, perfect bound booklet

A game to encourage dialogue about racism and steps we can take in our personal lives to bring about change. Players ask questions, roll and interpret inspiring game pieces, and try to discover the most amazing insights toward antiracism.

Quests for Antiracism can be used as an expansion pack for Charms: A Game of Insight or can be used for dialogue, reflection, or writing prompts on your own or with any size group. It can also be used for online play at www.CharmsGame.com.

Prepared by the Research Department, this compilation about the Universal House of Justice comprises extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the writings and letters of Shoghi Effendi. Also included are excerpts from the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice as well as from the messages of the House of Justice and letters written on its behalf. The extracts compiled here touch on subjects such as the establishment of the House of Justice, its relationship to the institution of the Guardianship, its infallibility and authority, and its functions and responsibilities.

It is particularly befitting that the release of this compilation comes shortly before the one hundredth anniversary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and of the inauguration of the Administrative Order.

Readers' Favorite® 5 Star Award Winner

Hazel Scott was a champion for civil and women’s rights. Born in Trinidad in 1920, she moved with her family to the United States in 1924. She was a musical wonder— studying and performing on the piano from the time she was a child. She became an accomplished singer as well, and appeared in Broadway musicals, films, and recorded her own albums. She also made headlines by standing up for the rights of women and African Americans, and she refused to play for segregated audiences. When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the March on Washington, Hazel led a march in Paris, where she was living, in front of the American Embassy. She learned about the Bahá’í Faith from Dizzy Gillespie and became a Bahá’í on December 1, 1968. She passed away in 1981.

We invite you to learn more about this “Change Maker” and the enduring impact she had on race relations through her performing arts.

See other books in the Change Maker Series

A magazine-format introduction to the Baha'i Faith that focuses on how Baha'is and their friends are systematically applying a spiritual framework for social change to heal the divisions and prejudices afflicting American society. The publication introduces the core beliefs and principles of the Baha'i Faith and illustrates how these are being put into practice through interwoven efforts in community building, social action, and engaging in public discourse.