THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE BLACK CHURCH IN THE RISE OF BLACK MOVEMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

In their different struggles in the U.S., African Americans have benefited from the support of the Black Church. This article analyzes the Church’s contribution to both the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Lives Matter movement. Using the Social Movement Theory and applying the analytical approach and documentary research, this study has permitted to understand how cultural identity, strong moral values, and common interests are powerful in guiding social movements. The study’s findings identify three main areas in which the Church usually intervenes: providing financial and human resources to the movements, educating and empowering the movements’ leaders, and catalyzing strong moral and cultural values.