By Dr. Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, civil rights activists and progressive clergy addressed this year’s Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) with a unified message: Help protect and turn out the vote for the upcoming November 2026 election. As the organization held its 65th annual session July 19–23, leaders say PNBC is prepared to meet the moment as voting rights hang in the balance.
“We are in lockstep with our brothers and sisters across the country fighting against legislation like the Save Act,” said outgoing PNBC President Dr. David R. Peoples, pastor of Jabez Missionary Church in Lexington, Ky.
The Save Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) would require all Americans to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID at the time of voting. The SAVE Act was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives in February 2026 but it has not yet passed the Senate. Congress is now weighing a scaled back version through Congress’ budget reconciliation process, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.
The Brennan Center for Justice indicates more than a dozen states have already implemented policies similar to SAVE Act mandates.
Peoples said PNBC churches are ready to support their congregations and communities with both registration and voting this fall at the polls.
“We’re not dismayed. We’re not scared. We’re not shaken. We will continue to fight and galvanize our people here in PNBC to go back out there and identify what each state is dealing with,” Peoples said to reporters at a press conference during the convention.
“We’ve got to do it this year” – CBC Members and activists appeal to PNBC delegates
The call for PNBC to honor their legacy of social action was echoed by Black lawmakers who addressed the assembly.
“We’re at the Progressive National Convention. The Gospel is liberation,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.
In an exclusive interview with AFRO News after addressing delegates after the President’s Celebration, Warnock said PNBC must help get people to the polls in November.
“We have to turn out people to vote. We have to put some guardrails on this president, which means we need to flip both houses. Even if we flip one, that will go a long way toward holding him accountable,” said Warnock, who also pastors Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, a PNBC-affiliated church.
South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, the PNBC women’s luncheon speaker, spoke about ensuring young Blacks are motivated to vote in November. “We’ve got to do it this year or I’m not so sure there will ever be another fair and impartial election in this country,” he said about the need to change leadership in Congress.
“So, I came today to ask you to think about your children, your grandchildren and whether what you are doing today will make a better life for them than it was for your parents and grandparents,” he further said. “I’m afraid we aren’t doing enough. I don’t think we realize how serious this is.”
Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton urged delegates not to become complacent.
“If we are in very serious times, it calls for those who are called by God to stand up in these very serious times,” he said. Sharpton also encouraged delegates to attend the Aug. 28 March on Washington, organized by his National Action Network, Martin L. King III and other social justice organizations.
Pastor and social justice activist Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., reminded delegates that sound economic policies must accompany political activism in the Black community.
“400,000 Black women have lost their jobs, and they make up 65 percent of our congregations. So, if we do not have an economic agenda that goes with our political agenda, then we are just having a parade full of sound and fury signifying nothing,” Bryant said.
Incoming PNBC President Dr. Keith Byrd, pastor of Washington’s Zion Baptist Church, said D.C. reflects the challenges to democracy going on nationwide.
“We are walking through some very difficult times in American life as racial tension and strife continue to rise to levels of great concern,” he said.
Delegates prepare for fall call to action
Deidre Reed, strategist for the PNBC, discussed plans for the denomination’s voter turnout campaign this fall with delegates attending the conference’s social justice town hall.
“Our first target is our own house. We are asking 100 percent of eligible voters in PNBC congregations, across 50 states, to be registered and to vote early in their state,” she said.
PNBC’s next target populations are Black women, the most consistent voting bloc in America, said Reed. PBNC will also connect with young Black voters aged 18-35, who are often registered but fail to participate in early voting or go to the polls on Election Day at higher rates..
“Our job is to inspire and support their concerns,” Reed said.
PNBC delegate, the Rev. Dr. Christine Smith, senior pastor of Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland, said her church is already engaging in voter registration and preparing for fall 2026 elections. She was encouraged to see PNBC doubling down on efforts to get involved in the November 2026 elections.
“Some of our churches are very active, but some of our churches have fallen asleep,” said Smith, author of “Deconstructing Power and Isms within Church and Society” (Judson Press). “But I believe we’re on a good track. We have a strong social justice division. Our leaders are doing the utmost to bring in speakers not just at the convention, but throughout the year.”
PNBC General Secretary Thomas Bowen said the fall agenda for their churches will wake parishioners up at every PNBC church.
“The Gospel and social justice go hand in hand we’re uniquely situated to continue that fight,” Bowen said. “We’ll be leaving this convention ready to get involved in the midterms.”
