Why We Need to Learn Black Catholic History with Alessandra Harris

Jun 29, 2026 · 1 hr 33 min · 12 segments

For many Catholics, the story of racism and justice is often taught in fragments — as individual moments of prejudice rather than as part of a larger arc of history that continues to shape people’s lives today. Issues like policing, incarceration, housing, employment, and the criminalization of drug use are deeply connected to histories of racial inequality that have shaped the experiences of Black communities, including Black Catholics seeking to live out their faith in a society and Church that have not always fully recognized their dignity. In this conversation, I’m joined by Alessandra Harris to explore the importance of learning Black Catholic history as an essential part of understanding the Church itself. We talk about what it has meant for Black Catholics to navigate racism in society while also confronting the ways the Catholic Church has often been slow to respond to these realities, and why listening to these stories is necessary for anyone seeking a fuller understanding of the Catholic tradition. **Learn more about Alessandra’s work:** https://alessandraharris.net/

Speakers: Alessandra HarrisGuestMax KuzmaHost

Why We Need to Learn Black Catholic History with Alessandra Harris

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Why We Need to Learn Black Catholic History with Alessandra Harris