This free community screening is presented by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture in association with the Pew Research Center with community partners, Honolulu Museum of Art and the Pōpolo Project.

Come early and grab a drink at the cash bar in Luce Pavilion at 6pm before heading into the Doris Duke Theatre for the films at 7pm. This film is rated PG-13.

gOD-Talk is the culmination project of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture Center for the Study of African American Religious Life, in association with the Pew Research Center, five-year study of Black Millennials. The featured length film explores the lives of seven Black millennials—Atheist, Buddhist, Christians, Muslim, Ifa, and Spiritualist—and the challenges and discoveries with faith and spirituality.

According to the 2021 “Faith Among Black Americans Survey” conducted by the Pew Research Center, American millennials—persons born between 1981 and 1996—are less religious than older Americans. While millennials are less likely to ascribe to traditional forms of religious observance, the study maintains that they remain religious, nonetheless. With the rise of the “spiritual but not religious” designation has come the overall decline of participation in mainline religious traditions for Americans. While the decline in Black religious communities has not been as drastic as White communities, there are still lingering questions concerning the relevance, mission, and overall purpose of organized religion in the 21st century for Black American Millennials.

From issues pertaining to gender and sexuality, abuse and trauma, hip-hop culture and music, gentrification, race and racism, patriarchy, and more, the film explores a rising phenomenon of religious and spiritual shifts among the largest generation and one of the most influential demographics in the U.S, Black Millennials.

A post-screening discussion to follow the film screening.