In a large and very hot dance studio in a converted warehouse in Oakland, Tecsia Evans talks through a microphone to about 30 women and girls. “God made you masterpieces,” Evans says as fans whir.

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LORAIN — Friendship Baptist Church of Lorain, 2160 Reeves Ave., is preparing to celebrate seven decades of worship March 28. While its pastor, the Rev. John R. Jackson and his estimated 500 ...

Six women, dressed in flowing white skirts and purple tunics, move gently to the recorded music that echoes through the Tacoma, Wash., sanctuary. Their white-gloved hands and ballet-slippered feet ...

Fallon Earlington basically grew up on the stage. She danced and sang in many local theatrical productions as well as performing and choreographing routines as a praise dancer at her church.

Across Black church traditions, including in the Baptist denomination in which I was raised, it is often sung this way: “When ...

LITTLE ROCK — It's a moving sight. A trio of young women, their faces conveying the intensity of their emotions, alternately spin, throw heads back and glide back and forth to the music of "Jesus ...

From the moment the dancing starts, it is clear this is no game. Mime instructor Dontr’l Roberts, 24, who has mimed for half his life, counts off the beats and recites the song lyrics as the dancers ...