This past August, I wrapped up my work on the planning committee for the People of African Descent in New thought conference. I had the pleasure of working on the marketing team for a year. So, it’s been a while since I wrote anything, I know. I have not been able to get a consistent rhythm with writing…yet.
Maybe, I’ll start small – just write a quote a week? And now, this election season is upon us! It’s been a little hard for me to focus. Thankfully, I have my prayer practice each morning, walking, family, and music (and whatever else I can think of to stay grounded). I think everyone could use something uplifting right now. The press is on!! Pedal to the metal time. Time to VOTE!!
I’ll admit this last year and a half has been a roller coaster. In May 2025, I finished and defended my dissertation. Three months before that, my Dad passed away. A month after that a dear professor of mine who had supported me and was on my defense committee passed away just two months shy of my graduation. These two important spiritual giants in my life were gone physically, and it was all I could do to drag myself across the finish line, feeling their strength and energy pushing me from the other side. There was definitely some double grief going on. I’m not sure I’m out of it, if there is such a thing.
My Dad, known to many as Elder Taylor, a pastor, and an evangelist, was jubilant, loving, and caring. He pushed past 90 with the same zeal and compassion as he seemed to always have since his younger days. No matter how difficult some of his life circumstances were, he was always encouraging me. On my morning walks, I still miss him because it is usually around the time he would call or I would call him.
I call him the original Mr. Joy. I recall when I was growing up how he would lead these rousing congregational songs at church during the testimonial part of service. One favorite was “Traveling Shoes.” He would begin singing, “Travel shoes, Lord.” Then the congregation would sing, “Got on my traveling shoes.” It was a call and response song. He was expressive, and he really got the church stirred up praising and shouting! He had a love for people and wanted to see us all do well. Well, he got his traveling shoes and danced right on out of here into glory. I can imagine him dancing, smiling, and shouting even now. His joy was contagious.
My professor for my Visions of Tomorrow class was Dr. Dorsey Blake, who succeeded Dr. Howard Thurman as pastor of The Fellowship Church of All Peoples in San Francisco. I felt such a blessing to be in the calm presence of Dr. Blake during each class, a justice warrior in his own right, a champion of those who were marginalized and downtrodden. Howard Thurman’s influence on him was definitely noticeable, like a calm strength and resolve. Each week in class we would dive into readings and assignments that caused us to examine our own interior landscape in order to sharpen and focus our own inner call to justice and compassionate service.
It’s funny now that I think about it, that I would have these two influences in my life during the time of finishing up my doctoral work. My thesis was titled “Justice and Joy: African American Leaders Engaging Racial Equity and Inclusivity in the Unity Movement.” I am grateful to have had these two spiritual influences in my life. One was exuberant, and one was contemplative. One represents joy, and one represents justice. I needed them both to show me the possibilities of embodying these qualities simultaneously. One does not have to cancel out the other.
I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes from the late Dr. Barbara Holmes, African American womanist theologian:
“This joy beckons us not as individual monastics but as a community. It is a joy that lives as comfortably in the shout as it does in silence.”
– From Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church, 200.
May we go forth with divine love and a deep resolve to know the joy that justice brings. May our actions reflect this holy union as paradoxical as it may seem.
Peace and joy be with you,
Rev. Dr. Dinah
