Prophets of Black Progress: Benjamin E. Mays and Howard W. Thurman, Pioneering Black Religious Intellectuals

Historically, black religious intellectuals and black churches have occupied very central roles in the black community, functioning as progenitors of social and political change as well as representing the moral and spiritual conscience of America. In the 20th century, such visionaries represented the prototype black religous thinker in their fusion of religious theology, philosophy, a strong measure of individuality and secular intellectual thought. The focus of this article is geared toward an understanding of the importance of pre-World War II religious intellectuals Benjamin Mays and Howard Thurman.