Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple of David is preparing to host a national conversation that blends history with strategy. On June 19, the Juneteenth National Digital Opportunity Bible Study will bring together Black leaders in ministry, technology, and education for a community-centered gathering focused on digital equity and workforce development.
The Bible Study, co-hosted by Bishop Charles H. Ellis III and the Black Churches 4 Digital Equity (BC4DE) Coalition, is designed to equip Black communities with skills for a rapidly changing workforce shaped by artificial intelligence. The gathering will take place in person at Greater Grace Temple and stream live on Zoom for audiences across the country. Minister Dominique Grant-King, Associate Pastor of Ebenezer Everywhere, will serve as the online host.
This event is not a symbolic gesture. It is a strategic intervention. Black churches have long been the foundation of advocacy and resilience. Their role in this moment reflects a deep understanding of how digital exclusion continues to undercut access to education, healthcare, and employment.
“As community anchors, Black churches occupy a distinguished and valued role in guiding their congregations spiritually and navigating the complexities of today’s world,” said Dr. Fallon Wilson, Vice President of Policy for the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council. “In our increasingly digital society, the gap between those with access to technology and those without has become more apparent, influencing areas such as education, health, employment, and the ability to maintain connections with others.”
Wilson emphasized that involvement from churches is not optional—it is essential. “Recognizing the critical role Black churches play in their communities and their mission to serve, Black Churches 4 Digital Equity Coalition believes they must be involved in significant initiatives such as the Juneteenth National Digital Opportunity Bible Study to empower and equip Black communities with workforce development skills for an AI-driven job market.”
The event is structured to be accessible and actionable. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees will engage in workshops that promote digital literacy, provide workforce toolkits, and introduce pathways into emerging tech fields. The programming is rooted in the Digital Opportunity Bible Study Toolkit, which includes lesson plans on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and public interest technology.
The keynote address will be delivered by Rev. Traci Blackmon, a national faith leader known for her work as a pastor, public theologian, and advocate for justice. Her participation signals the intersectional nature of this event, which brings together spiritual leadership and social responsibility.
Additional speakers include Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO of AnitaB.org; U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib; Robert Branson, President and CEO of MMTC; and Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, Senior Pastor of Greater Grace Temple.
Those invited to lead and contribute come from a wide range of Black-led and Black-serving organizations committed to digital equity. This includes Ray Arceneaux of Black Tech Mafia, Donovan Brown of Live6 Alliance, Jurnell Cockhren of the Black Tech Futures Research Institute, Briaca Duesette of Animation Discovery Studio, Tequila Johnson of The Equity Alliance, Holly Rachel and Lena Winfree of LocalTek, Adrienne Williams of the Distributed AI Research (DAIR) Institute, and Audrey P. Willis of Code Crew.
Every invited partner is engaged in work that centers community advancement through technology. These leaders are not figureheads. They are developers, researchers, consultants, and educators building new systems of access for the next generation.
Support for the event has also come from a wide coalition of partners and sponsors who reflect a shared commitment to shifting digital power into the hands of Black communities. Partner organizations include Animation Discovery Studio, Aspen Digital, Black Tech Futures Research Institute, Black Tech Saturdays, Code Crew, DAIR Institute, Greater Grace Temple, Impact Network, LocalTek, and The Equity Alliance. Black Tech Saturdays also stands as a sponsor, reinforcing Detroit’s growing role in tech-centered grassroots organizing.
Social media outreach support will come from Broadband Breakfast, HTTP/The National Latino Voice in Tech & Telecommunications Policy, and The Washington Informer. Their efforts will help amplify the event to broader national audiences.
BC4DE Coalition remains a driving force behind this work. As a national alliance of 25 Black churches and nonprofit organizations, the coalition reaches over half a million people each week. Their mission includes educating residents about broadband assistance programs and organizing faith-based advocates to close connectivity gaps.
This event is part of a broader movement to anchor technological advancement in community-based institutions that already carry the trust and infrastructure to make it meaningful. It also recognizes that commemorating Juneteenth means more than reflection. It means ensuring that Black communities are prepared to thrive in the economic systems of the future.
The National Juneteenth Digital Opportunity Bible Study does not stand alone. It builds on generations of advocacy led from the pulpit and translated into policy, education, and action. The partnerships formed here are intended to last beyond June 19. They are part of an expanding network that continues to grow in response to the evolving needs of Black households across the country.
Registration remains open to the public, both in person at Greater Grace Temple, located at 23500 W. Seven Mile Road in Detroit, and online via Zoom. The event website, digitalequitybiblestudy.com, provides full details and access to the registration portal.
The work ahead demands both faith and infrastructure. This gathering brings them together on one stage, under one roof, and through one stream—Detroit leading the charge, with the church at its center.
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