Twenty years ago, "every major news organization was talking about the extinction of black men in America," says William Roberts, an African-American human resources consultant and psychotherapist.

Black Men's Gathering"More black men than ever were in prison. It was not popular to be black and male. We were considered an endangered species," recalls Dr. Roberts, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States.

This distressing state of affairs prompted him to create the Black Men's Gathering, an organization of Baha'i men of African descent, who come together on a regular basis in chapters throughout the United States, in Europe, Australia, Canada and the Caribbean to share their experiences and strengthen their commitment to the Baha'i Faith.

Prior to joining the BMG, many of its members avoided gathering in groups, says Dr. Roberts. Society made them feel disenfranchised. Even at Baha'i events, they made a point of spreading out in what they believed was keeping with one of the Faith's core beliefs --- the oneness of humanity. So it took awhile for some of these men to get involved in the Black Men's Gathering, which has served more than a thousand black male Baha'is and their friends and formed groups to visit Baha'is in Africa.

"I had heard about the Gathering for years, but I wasn't too interested because most of the men in my life weren't positive influences," says Carl Shorter, 26, of Buffalo, N.Y., who joined last year.

Dr. William Roberts

"At the beginning, some members of the Gathering talked about being on the cusp of being revolutionary. We knew we needed change," says Mr. Shorter, who grew up in a Baha'i family and joined the Gathering last year. "Then we began to feel comfortable with who we are. Being in touch with the souls of other African-American men while reconnecting with the message of Baha'u'llah channeled our revolutionary spirit."

For Mr. Shorter, that meant starting a group for young African-American boys in his community, where he says he saw "a lot of black faces, but not smiles and love." The Black Men's Gathering, he says, gave him the courage to be a mentor.

"We recite prayers and talk about virtues in the group," Mr. Shorter says. "These kids are up for grabs, but they don't have to settle for a street life."

Aaron Yates

Aaron Yates also felt disconnected from the African part of his heritage until he joined the Black Men's Gathering 3 ½ years ago. "Being biracial, I wasn't accepted as white or black," he says. "But at the Gathering I'm embraced and greeted by black men of varying backgrounds with unconditional love and affection, and a true appreciation for who I am as a human being.

"The Gathering made me feel I didn't have to prove my blackness. I am who I am, a valuable member of society," says Mr. Yates, 23, a lifelong Baha'i from Cleveland who drew his father, Richard, and younger brother, Nate, into the group.

Shannon Reddy, 25, a lifelong biracial Baha'i who grew up in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, echoes Yates' sentiments. "When I came to the Black Men's Gathering, I found a piece of the puzzle that was missing," he says. "The most amazing thing to me is the diversity within the Gathering of background, class, color, history, personality and experience with the Baha'i Faith.

"To most white people I look white," Mr. Reddy says, "so I've often had to speak up when people thought they were ‘safe' and have said racially insensitive things in my presence."

Travis Ivery, who lives in Georgia's Fulton County South, is all too familiar with the black man's plight in the United States. Born Baptist, he explored a number of religions and became a Black Muslim before becoming a Baha'i 25 years ago. But it wasn't until race-related violence touched his family that Mr. Ivery "opened his heart" to the Faith a few years ago when he joined the Black Men's Gathering.

"What I experienced at the Gathering brought tears to my eyes," Mr. Ivery says. "If a race of people is suffering, such as those of African descent, the whole world is affected by it. The Gathering helped me see that we are a people who have been dependent on others to take care of our ills. It has to end. Nobody can help us but ourselves.

"Under the banner of Baha'u'llah, we as men of African descent can see the beauty of what's ahead for us," Mr. Ivery continues. "Unlike slavery, we can serve in a way in which we're not being forced, or trying to impress or get something back. We can help achieve unity.

"It won't be a race thing," Mr. Ivery says, "with black men sticking out their chest, but about service. It will affect the whole world in the greatest way the world has ever known."

The Baha'i writings explain that work done in the spirit of service is worship to God.

Praise the Lord!