For generations, black women have had a difficult relationship with religion, and for good reason. They have had to contend with purity culture, sexism, and the overall erasure of their unique experiences within broader religious narratives. Caught between the expectations of religion and the realities of their lived experiences, many young black women felt adrift, their sense of purpose and belonging in jeopardy. Some recognized the limitations of these institutions and left. Others began to search for spiritual paths that would affirm their identities and empower them to heal from the burdens that come with living in a social environment that marginalizes them. That longing sparked a vibrant movement for black women to reclaim spirituality on their own terms.
It’s a faith that feels relevant to my life.
“What’s happening to young black women who are rediscovering their spirituality is a recognition of a pattern,” says Ehime Ola, a training priestess in the Ifa and Orisa traditions and author of The Language of the Ancestors. “They may have analyzed their lives and realized that things haven’t changed for their loved ones or for themselves.” This realization has prompted some women to take action and become more open to spiritual signs, or what Ola calls “the calling of the ancestors.” “The experience is both extraordinarily humbling and deeply transformative, opening up the possibility of new lifestyles that are more powerful and soul-nourishing.”.”
A 2021 Pew Research Center report found that while Christianity remains the predominant religion among black Americans, millennial and Gen Z black Americans are less likely than older generations (baby boomers and older) to express many of the religious beliefs asked about in the survey. However, they more Black women are more likely than their elders to believe in reincarnation and that prayers to their ancestors will protect them. That makes sense: In a sexist and racist world, spirituality gives us a sense of purpose. As researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found, spirituality, not religiosity, was crucial to black women’s mental health.
One such person is Habiba Faye, a 26-year-old Muslim woman who moved to the US from Senegal in 2014. “When I first moved to the US, I didn’t know how to put myself first and prioritize my needs,” she says. “Being black and Muslim brought with it a host of stereotypes and cultural dissonances, so I took my Islamic faith more seriously, which helped me ground myself. I consciously developed habits like journaling, exercising, gardening, spending time in nature, and nourishing my mind.”
Research shows that spirituality has a positive impact on mental health, which is a key reason why many young Black women turn to spirituality. A tradition of unethical treatment in medicine has created a well-founded distrust of such institutions among Black Americans, especially women, and studies show that this distrust, combined with the greater impact of depression on Black communities, contributes to lower utilization of mental health services. Some Black women seeking healing and relief from trauma turn to spiritual practices to fill the void left by a health care system that has failed them.
“I believe spirituality is about experiencing transcendence through harmony between the mind, body, spirit and soul, and inner peace,” says Chrissy Mitchell, 23, who has a chronic illness. “My spiritual life focuses on self-care and a deep connection with my body as a vessel for my soul.” Mitchell says her practices include practicing mindfulness and meditation, and listening to gospel music.
For many Black women, spirituality is not something they undertake alone. Drawn to spaces that acknowledge the spiritual burden of navigating a world that often ignores their struggles, some have created communities centered around joy, sisterhood, and mutual support, a response to the failure of traditional religious institutions to create truly inclusive spaces.
Being part of that community made me feel freer and lighter.
It’s fostered in more traditional but progressive religious spaces, where some spiritual leaders explicitly aim to address social justice issues, dismantle patriarchy within religion, and celebrate black women. “It was like a revelation to find a black female Christian pastor who was speaking to the unique anxieties of black women,” says Aaliyah Cox, a 25-year-old marketing professional in New York. “Suddenly there was space to acknowledge the burdens we carry, and prayers and words of affirmation to address them. I feel like this is a faith that’s relevant to my life.”
Other organizations are emerging as clear alternatives to churches. Motti Burke, a 24-year-old Philadelphia resident, said she was initially hesitant when a friend invited her to join an all-female virtual group aimed at redefining spirituality. “My bad history with religion as a queer woman almost caused me to say no,” she says. “But at the time, I was a drowning person clinging to any lifebuoy.” The first meeting ended up being a “surprise,” she says. “It was the first time in a long time that I hadn’t felt uncomfortable.”
“It was an intimate, compassionate space where I felt validated and listened to,” Burke continues. “Now, these meetings are the best part of my week. I wish I could explain the psychology behind it, but being part of this community has made me feel freer and lighter. It’s like the most important self-care practice for me.”
Podcasts, forums, and communities like Every Black Muslim Girl, Being A Black Muslim Girl, and The Table are also increasingly fostering these connections online, allowing for open discussions around identity and wellness. For example, The Table is a space for Black women to connect, heal, and grow through online discussions, workshops, and virtual rituals.
“This feels like the beginning,” Burke says. “I’m finally involved in something that’s healing. There’s so much more to explore.”
Melony Akpoghene is a cultural journalist with a passion for investigating the world around us. Her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Black Ballad, Byrdie, Refinery29, and more.
