2025 Patience Essah Lecture
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
4–5 pm
010 Lowder Hall
Dr. Le'Trice Donaldson, Assistant Professor of History
"Prophets of the Barracks: Re-imagining the Ministry of the Army's First Black Chaplains"
Prophets of the Barracks explores how the Army’s first Black chaplains redefined ministry amid the intertwined struggles of race, war and faith from the Civil War through World War II. As some of the few Black officers in the U.S. military, figures like Louis A. Carter, Henry V. Plummer and Theophilus G. Steward nurtured racial consciousness, citizenship and community leadership. This talk explores how these chaplains fused spirituality, intellect and activism to challenge racism and transform the meaning of service in America.
Free and open to all. For more information, contact Dr. Ernest L. Gibson III at elg0036@auburn.edu.
This lecture honors Professor Emerita of History and Director of Africana Studies Patience Essah.