BlackCatholicChicago.org serves as a source of information, news and events for Black Catholics — in Chicago and the world at large.

This web site was established to further the goals and initiatives established by Bishop Joseph Perry, Ms. Sheila Adams (Director, African American Ministries), and the Black Catholic Convocation Steering Committee to solicit the participation of the Black Catholics in metropolitan Chicago and to address the issues of the future of the Catholic Church in their community.

Site Design

The design and development of this web site is a result of the support and efforts of the following individuals and organizations.

Bishop Joseph N. Perry - Cofounder, Chair, Publisher, Editor and Chief

Sheila Adams - Cofounder, Events Editor

Adrienne Curry - Managing Editor

Larry Cope - Cofounder

Carmelita Banks - Subcommittee member, writer

Joset Wright - Subcommittee member, editor

Agnes Mleczek - Webmaster

Site History
 
The Origin of Black Catholic Chicago

In March of 2000, the Black Catholic Convocation Implementation Committee and Bishop Joseph Perry approved a proposal for the Black Catholic Chicago web site. Larry Cope, a graphic designer for Liturgy Training Publications and member of the steering committee, introduced the proposal. A few years earlier Mr. Cope wrote a short paper on “Church Evangelization and the Internet.” His vision was for a Chicago Black Catholic web site that would be used as a tool to evangelize the Catholic Church in the Black Community. The web site’s purpose was twofold. Initially it would promote the Convocation in November 2000. It would then evolve into an evangelization tool using articles to educate and motivate active and inactive Black Catholics, as well as other Christians in Chicago about Catholicism. The web site became Black Catholic Chicago and can be found at http://www.blackcatholicchicago.org.
 
A print and new media consulting and developing firm was contracted to develop the site, and have it online before the end of summer 2000. The firm would also be responsible for monthly maintenance and updating for approximately one year (January 2001 to November 2001). In turn Mr. Cope would provide graphic expertise to develop the look of the site and handle the graphic and editorial layout of the monthly updates. The site was operational to serve the Convocation in August of 2000.
 
The evolution from an informational site for the convocation to an evangelization tool was made in January 2001. Bishop Perry became the publisher and Editor in Chief. Sheila Adams, Director of the Office of Black Catholics became events Editor, Larry Cope, Graphic Designer of Liturgy Training Publications became web designer/co-chair and Michael Wamble, and then reporter of Catholic New World became lead reporter and Senior Editor. In March of 2001, Michael Wamble accepted a position at an East Coast newspaper and resigned his position. Various freelance writers replaced him over the course of the year.
 
Black Catholic Chicago Today: Surpassing Expectations

One of the elements that made the transition from a informational site to a tool for evangelization was “the Bishop’s Letter,” a message from Bishop Perry and continues to be updated. The site now includes a Calendar of Events and a list of African American Parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. To our surprise, people worldwide began to visit the site. We have become a global community. We have received visits and compliments from as far away as South Africa and Great Britain. The percentage of web browsers has increased on the average of thirteen percent (13%) each month.
 
We are proud of the efforts of all that have contributed to this dream and for the continuing support of the Black Catholic Implementation Committee. It is our deepest hope to continue to be a hub of information to the Black Catholic Community not only here in Chicago but around the world. Black Catholic Chicago we hope will be a signal to our web browser and supporters around the globe the Black Catholic Community of Chicago is alive, well and thriving.

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