Bahá’ís have a long history of involvement in one of the largest annual parades in the United States: the Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic, an event for back-to-school season on Chicago’s South Side since 1929. Following decades of tradition, the day brought together many African Americans and friends from throughout the city with music from […]
The second annual Igniting Black Baha’i Youth conference (IBBY) offered some unexpected connections and served as a powerful platform to spark conversations, foster unity, and empower 45 young people to uplift their spiritual identities and contribute to the betterment of their communities. With a focus on spiritual growth, social justice, and personal development, the conference […]
“Black Resistance” is the theme of this year’s U.S. observance of Black History Month, calling for a reversal of the devaluation of African Americans’ contributions to society. For artist Andalib Khelghati, it’s an idea that calls on the power of the spirit. “As a Black Baha’i,” said Khelghati, “I believe that resistance means reliance on […]
By Christopher Carpenter As a child growing up in Chicago’s northern suburbs in the 1940s and ‘50s, Judy Hughes was familiar with the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Her father used it as a landmark during flights over Lake Michigan as a Navy pilot stationed in Glenview and he took Hughes and her […]
On the surface, Michael Orona’s life in Washington, DC, looks to be worlds away from his upbringing in rural southern New Mexico and Arizona. When not traveling overseas, the nation’s capital is where Orona spends much of his time consulting with world leaders and representatives of nongovernmental organizations about improving the lives of marginalized people […]
Reflections by Nadia Mehretab Black Baha’i youth ages 18-28 from across the nation gathered in Washington, DC, for a three-day seminar on Labor Day weekend. Planned in the span of about three short months this summer, “Igniting Black Baha’i Youth (IBBY) seeks to foster a space of healing and spiritual deepening… and overall uplift the […]
While the word “archives” can invoke images of vast, dimly lit storage facilities whose contents rarely see the light of day, Baha’i holdings from the past frequently enrich the lives of those in the present. Take, for example, the story of Charlotte Brittingham Dixon’s ring. The archives of the Washington, DC, Baha’i community holds papers […]
Singing her heart out is what Mona Asadi does, what she has done and what she plans to do. On Sunday, July 10, she will be singing with 130 others at the 14th annual Choral Festival at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Asadi, originally from Las Vegas, graduated from Chapman University […]
Seventeen of the DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards for 2022, including two of the top “Best in Class” honors, were bestowed on Baha’is for publications, websites and design at the annual Religion Communicators Council (RCC) convention. The awards, announced May 11, recognize excellence in religion communication. “It’s always a joy to see that others have appreciation for the […]
By Christopher Carpenter When Van Gilmer, an African American Baha’i living in Wilmette, Illinois, began a small devotional gathering in his living room some nine years ago, he had no way of knowing that it would evolve into an online meeting in which Black and white participants share very personal stories of the ways racism […]
Whether you are exploring the Bahá'í Faith or looking to become an active member, there are various ways you can connect with our community.
Please ensure that all the Required Fields* are completed before submitting.