Lights of the Spirit: Historical Portraits of Black Baha'is in North America, 1898-2000

by Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis (Editor), Richard W. Thomas (Editor)

This groundbreaking work uncovers a piece of religious history that until now has gone the role played by Black people in the emergence of the Baha'i Faith in North America. Drawing on a wide range of sources including personal essays, letters, and journals, Lights of the Spirit offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of some extraordinary individuals who devoted themselves to a common cause and made outstanding contributions toward building a unified society. Editors Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis and Richard Thomas bring to light the stories of a diverse group of lawyer Louis Gregory, poet Robert Hayden, jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie, Broadway actress Dorothy Champ, and Canadian singer Eddie Elliot, to name a few. Lights of the Spirit is an important resource for anyone interested in African-American or Baha'i history and the unique intersection of both.

Genres: History, Baha I

360 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

Reviews

[Sherry Schwabacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Etter-Lewis has done a masterful job of collecting and compiling the personal stories and writings of these distinguished and devoted early believers. Their impressive accomplishments, overcoming all obstacles, give hope to all who are following in their footsteps.