Washington, DC – The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million African Americans, is appalled at the way that Ms. Omarosa Manigault was treated while shopping for wedding gowns for her upcoming marriage. The Black Church apologizes on behalf of those rude customers to this wonderful human being who represents the Black community with dignity, respect and intelligence in representing our people as the Assistant to the President and director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison focusing on issues such as community outreach.
The National Black Church Initiative and 34,000 churches are proud of her and what she has accomplished in her lifetime in front of the TV cameras. One can only respect how she has handled the current situation and how she has handled one of the roughest, nastiest political campaigns ever waged in this country. She really is one of our heroic African American women who has demonstrated poise and the ethics and teachings of Jesus.
Rev. Anthony Evans, President of the National Black Church Initiative says, “Again I am ashamed of our people and how they treat one of our own who has went through pure hell in this past campaign and has been a victim of harassment and bullying. The Black Church will not allow this to happen to this sister. I must tell you with all pride and indignation, take your hands off this woman. She is the person that God has appointed at this time to represent our interests in the White House under the current Trump Administration.”
“God has placed her there and I am happy to be among the supporters of this young woman and very proud of her forthcoming biblical marriage. One of the things that the public does not understand, and some of our people have failed to recognize is that this young lady is a called Minister of the Gospel. Let me echo the Scriptures, how beautiful are the feats of those who preach the Gospel. Let it be clear from this day forward that she has the unabated support of 34,000 Black Churches as she seeks to carry out her job on behalf of Christ and Black people. Amen.”
This is why she should not ever be treated in the manner visited upon her and her wedding party during their trip to Nordstrom. To the young ladies who felt compelled to heckle her and to call her names unbecoming of any Christian character, the Church publicly and loudly denounces their behavior towards this sister. Regardless of your politics she has represented African Americans with a sense of grace and respect that we can all be proud of. We can never stay silent when one of our own is treated in such a manner. This is the second incident that the Church has had to speak out on regarding the behavior of some African American women towards African American leadership in a public forum.
The last time we lifted our pen in indignation was against some African American females who threatened the lives of Tavis Smiley because he had an opposite perspective to our then President Barack Obama. These women who have heckled Ms. Omarosa and the women wo threatened Tavis’ life do not represent the dignity and grace of Black women who understand how to address themselves in public dressed in the African American history, pride and our community.
