As long as people of African descent have inhabited this land, our melodies and refrains have impacted the shape and course of American society. From Negro spirituals to Black Gospel to the current explosion of Gospel choirs on the mainstream music scene, these African-American songs propel all people toward God as the ultimate source of hope.

African-American's influence on Christian music has been so great that the genre called "Gospel" is now more or less synonymous with music specifically produced by Black people. Black Gospel is, in essence, the mixing of spirituals (dating back to slavery) and the popular styles of blues and jazz.

SPIRITUALS: The Roots of Gospel Music

ENTER THE 20th CENTURY: The Black Sacred Music Scare

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL: Check It Out