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My name is Brayant Polanco, and I am an undergraduate student at Rice University. I hope to major in neuroscience and health sciences. My interests include neuroscience, journalism, and public health. I am hoping of being able to contribute more to Wikipedia regarding Thomas Paul, the first Baptist minister of the African Meeting House, and hope to expand his article.

Here I will explain some of the topics I am interested in expanding or adding to Wikipedia through my class, Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities at Rice University.

• Thomas Paul was the first Baptist minister of the African Meeting House and the Education Society for People of Colour. He was an abolitionist, founded new black organizations, was a leader in the black community, and had ongoing active volunteering works in Haiti. I want to explore and find out more information about Thomas Paul, and I would add/expand an existing article with some more information regarding his organizations and mentions in history.

• “African Meeting House .” Museum of Afro American History African Meeting House. http://npshistory.com/brochures/boaf/african-meeting-house.pdf
  • This document is a pamphlet of the African Meeting House from the Museum of Afro American History African Meeting House. This describes the history and creation of the African Meeting House which was founded by Thomas Paul.

• “Black Abolitionist Archive: THOMAS PAUL.” Black Abolitionist Archive | Thomas Paul: UDM Libraries / Instructional Design Studio, libraries.udmercy.edu/archives/special-collections/index.php?collectionCode=baa&record_id=2395&item_id=2797.
  • Speech from Thomas Paul regarding slaves rights. Speaks on his perspective as an abolitionist. Paul places an emphasis on reforming the social situation for African American citizens; calls out injustices of slavery.

• “Black Organizational Life before 1830 (Part i) - African American Literature in Transition, 1800–1830.” Cambridge Core, Cambridge University Press,www.cambridge.org/core/books/african-american-literature-in-transition-18001830/black-organizational-life-before-1830/D30E1E05061833751139FCEE449BDFE.
  • Addresses the changes in African American literature during the early 19th century -- mainly focuses on religion, print, and labor.

• Christopher Cameron. 2014.  To Plead Our Own Cause: African Americans in Massachusetts in the Making of the Antislavery Movement. https://www.google.com/books/edition/To_Plead_Our_Own_Cause/R7D_ngEACAAJ?hl=en
  • Book regarding the Liberator created in 1831 by William Lloyd Garrison. Addresses Garrison's predecessors in Massachusetts -- which includes Floyd -- in establishing the foundations of abolitionism prior to the periods of 1831 to 1865.

• Croft, Wayne E. A History of the Black Baptist CHURCH: I Don't Feel No WAYS TIRED. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2020.
  • Dr. Wayne Croft describes the foundations of the Black Baptist church which provided so many African Americans with safety and spiritual guidance.

• Cuffee, Paul, et al. “The African-American MOSAIC COLONIZATION.” Library of Congress, 23 July 2010, www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html.
  • Provides documents about abolitionists and black Christians which believed that slavery was incompatible with Christ's teachings.

• Egemonye, Uche N. “First: A History of First African Baptist Church, the Oldest Continuous Black Baptist Church in North America, 1788–1939”. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2003.
  • Provides detailed descriptions of the founding of the First African Baptist Church along with Reverend Thomas Paul.

• Harvey, Paul. Through the Storm, through the Night: A History of African American Christianity. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publ, 2013.
  • Accounts for the journey of African American religion, starting with the birth of African Christianity with Transatlantic slave trade and its development throughout America.

• Horton, James Oliver. "Generations of Protest: Black Families and Social Reform in Ante-Bellum Boston." New England Quarterly, Vol. 49, No. 2 (Jun., 1976): 240–260. https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/364501.pdf
  • Describes activity in Ante-Bellum Boston known for its focus on social reform and antislavery. Explains its history as the center of the abolitionist movement.

• Lincoln, Charles Eric, and Lawrence H. Mamiya. The Black Church in the African American Experience. Durham: Duke University Press, 2005. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv125jv2p
  • Explains a 10-year long study which recognized black churches as the most "independent, stable, and dominant" institutions. Ties it back to present day and contemporary black culture by examining internal structure of the Church.

• MiRaboteau, Albert J. Slave Religion: The "INVISIBLE Institution" in the Antebellum South. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
  • Analyzes the transformation of African religions into christianity through the transatlantic slave trade.

• Suttington, Joanne M. “Financial Literacy and Accountability Within Black Baptist Churches”. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2017.
  • Discusses pastor's financial responsibilities when dealing with the founding of churches. Talks about their financial literacy skills in fundraising for these institutions when they are starting.

• Sylvester Johnson.  2014.  African American Religions, 1500-200: Colonialism, Democrat, and Freedom.
  • Describes the transition of African religions to Christianity after/during transatlantic slave trade as a result. Analyzes the beginnings of Christianity for African Americans throughout the United States.

• Whelchel, L. H. The History & Heritage of AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCHES: A Way out of No Way. St. Paul: Minn., 2011.
  • Elaborates on the creation of independent Black churches and the struggles of African Americans thorughout the United States.

• White, Arthur O. "Antebellum School Reform in Boston: Integrationists and Separatists." Phylon Vol. 34, No. 2 (2nd Qtr., 1973): 200–220. https://www.jstor.org/stable/273828
  • Talks about both sides of the conflict in Antebellum Boston, Integrationists and Separatists. Talks about Thomas Paul stance as a separatist, believing that black children should be educated independently of white children.

• “Black Abolitionist Archive: THOMAS PAUL.” Black Abolitionist Archive | Thomas Paul: UDM Libraries / Instructional Design Studio, libraries.udmercy.edu/archives/special-collections/index.php?collectionCode=baa&record_id=2395.

• BlackFacts.com. “African Baptist Church [BOSTON] (1805- ).” Blackfacts.com, www.blackfacts.com/fact/african-baptist-church-boston-1805.