”Dismantling and changing patriarchal culture is work that men and women must do together.
bell hooks

Our Approach

The EVE-OLUTION Collective is a participatory action research initiative dedicated to unpacking the experiences, challenges, and visions of Black women in predominantly Black church spaces. Through critical reflection, collective inquiry, and strategic action, we seek to unsettle patriarchal influence and catalyze holistic, community-driven transformation.

We dignify the voices, narratives, and agency of Black women by employing a Critical Participatory Action Research (CPAR) methodology, which means that our participants are not subjects of a study, but active co-creators of knowledge and change.

Over the course of this multi-stage initiative, the collective will:

Engage in brave, reflective dialogues to unpack their personal experiences and the systemic realities they face surrounding gender in black church spaces.
Collaboratively investigate the historical, theological, and sociocultural roots of patriarchy within the Black church
Envision and prototype liberatory alternatives that include Black women and cultivate collective healing
Develop and implement community-driven strategies to dismantle oppressive structures and realize what’s emerging.

Narrative Power

The narratives of Blame, Silence, Divine Order, and Temptation serve as significant roadblocks to diasporic oneness within the context of the Eveolution project. These narratives, deeply rooted in traditional interpretations of religious texts and historical patriarchal systems, create artificial barriers between men and women, hindering the realization of a truly unified and equitable spiritual community.

Narrative of Blame

This narrative stems from the traditional interpretation of the Genesis story, where Eve is blamed for the fall of humanity. It has perpetuated a cycle of gender-based blame and shame, particularly targeting women. In broader society, this narrative manifests as:

Women being held responsible for men’s actions or shortcomings
Victim-blaming in cases of sexual assault or domestic violence
Attributing societal moral decay to women’s empowerment or liberation

Eveolution seeks to challenge this narrative by reframing Eve’s role and encouraging shared responsibility and accountability between genders.

Narrative of Silence

This narrative represents the historical suppression of women’s voices in religious and social contexts. It includes:

The absence of women’s perspectives in theological discourse
The expectation for women to be submissive and not question authority
The silencing of women’s experiences of injustice or abuse within religious communities

Eveolution aims to break this silence by creating spaces for women to share their stories and participate actively in shaping religious narratives and practices.

Narrative of Divine Order

This narrative posits that gender hierarchy is divinely ordained, often using selective biblical interpretations to justify male dominance. It manifests as:

The exclusion of women from leadership roles in religious institutions
The belief that women’s primary role is to support and submit to male authority
The use of religious texts to justify gender inequality in broader society

Eveolution challenges this by exploring alternative interpretations that emphasize partnership and equality in divine design.

Narrative of Temptation

This narrative portrays women as sources of temptation and moral danger to men. It’s seen in:

Modesty culture that places the burden of men’s thoughts on women’s dress and behavior
The portrayal of women as seductresses or corrupting influences in religious stories
The exclusion of women from certain religious spaces or practices to “protect” men

Eveolution seeks to dismantle this narrative by promoting a view of women and men as full moral agents and equal partners in spiritual journeys.