UU Women's Federation

Black Women of the Chalice

Introducing Black Women of the Chalice

Editor’s Note Updated October 2025: You can find the most recent Black Women of the Chalice events here.

How do you know if you’re on the right track? Is it in the number of allies you have? The people that come and support you? What about the folks that ask to play in your sandbox?

Some years ago, UUWF set out to change how we do things. We took a hard look at how we show up in the world and made the choice to be a safe haven for voices we had pushed out. So, how do you know when you’ve accomplished something?

It’s in the people who come to the table.

In the Fall of 2023, we launched Black Women of the Chalice (BwoC). Created by two Black female seminarians, QuianaDenae Perkins and Dana Matthews-Moore, BWoC centers on the needs of Black Women Seminarians and their ministerial journeys. When they said they needed more support managing and running their monthly gatherings, UUWF offered our staff assistance. Our collaboration allows for Dana and QuianaDenae’s vision to grow while removing the burden of doing this work alone, especially with the full plate of being a seminarian.

BWoC meets once a month and gathers around a particular topic. During that time, we use deep check-ins to reconnect with each other, renewing our commitment to each other and our faith. Although we focus on seminarians at the moment, the goal is to open up the monthly gatherings to all Black women religious professionals. That is why this month’s gathering is so different!

We are inviting ALL Black UU women faith professionals on December 14th @ 5p P/8p E. This includes religious professionals and administrators.

  • Ministers in fellowship
  • Ministerial candidates and seminarians
  • Religious educators
  • Musicians
  • Administrators
  • UUA Staff
Nur Amin

Our special guest, Takiyah Nur Amin, MFA., PhD, will be leading us on the topic of Kwanzaa. She is a dance scholar, educator, and academic success strategist. She has identified as a Unitarian Universalist for more than 20 years.

You can join us by registering HERE for this month’s gathering. UUWF is happy to build a home for BWoC and continue our commitment to build covenantal relationships. If this gathering isn’t for you, please share this announcement with a friend or family member who it would support. We rely on the support of our community to get the word out.

In Community,
Antoinette Scully
National Organizer