This edited collection on black churches and urban politics uses case studies of ten cities to examine the strategies and tactics of activists, black clergy, and congregations. These case studies illustrate how black activist clergy and congregations negotiate the political terrains of their respective cities. The cases show that the political culture of a city--whether that culture is shaped by machine politics, a legacy of political protest, racial and ethnic factionalism, or a city whose power resides in the mayor's office rather than the city council chamber--can influence the tactics of activist clergy and congregations.

Part 1 Preface Part 2 Introduction: Black Churches, Activists Traditions, and Urban Political Contexts Part 3 Part I: Personal Influence, Coalitions, and Pressure Groups Chapter 4 Black Churches, Black Empowerment, and Atlanta's Civil Rights Legacy Chapter 5 Black Clergy and Models of Civil Rights Activism in Miami Chapter 6 Bennett W. Smith and Ministerial Influence on Political Life in Buffalo Chapter 7 Black Ministers and the Politics of Personal Influence in Columbus Chapter 8 Black Faith-Based Coalitions and Civic Activism in Boston Part 9 Part II: Black Churches and Electoral Politics Chapter 10 Black Churches and Electoral Engagement in the Nation's Capital Chapter 11 Black Churches and Machine Politics in Chicago Chapter 12 Black Clergy Electoral Involvement in Cleveland Chapter 13 Black Churches and the Formation of Political Action Committees in Detroit Chapter 14 Party Politics and Black Church Political Organizations in Queens, NY Part 15 Part III: Epilogue Chapter 16 Black Clergy and the Governmental Sector During George W. Bush's Presidency Part 17 About the Contributors Part 18 Index