Faith in Public Life: Why Black Churches in Pasadena Work Together
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For generations, the Black church has been more than a place of worship on Sunday morning. It has been a school, a meeting hall, a food pantry, and a home base for justice. Black churches in Pasadena and Altadena carry that tradition today, and the Black Clergy & Civic Alliance exists to help them carry it together.
A long tradition of faith in public life
When Black communities across America needed a place to organize, they often found it in the church. Congregations registered voters, fed families, trained young leaders, and gave people the courage to speak up.
That calling hasn’t changed. What has changed is the size of the challenges: housing, health, education, economic opportunity, and now recovery from disaster. No single congregation can meet all of that alone.
How Black churches in Pasadena work together through BCCA
BCCA was established to create a unified platform for clergy, civic leaders, and community organizations to address the changing needs of Black residents and underserved communities. Our mission is to advance equity, justice, opportunity, and empowerment through advocacy, education, service, and collaborative action.
Over the years, BCCA’s pastors and civic leaders have worked together on:
- Voter education and community forums
- Youth development and leadership training
- Health and wellness efforts
- Economic empowerment projects
- Disaster recovery support
When a pastor and a civic leader sit at the same table, the needs of a congregation reach the people who make decisions. And the resources of the wider community reach the families who need them.
When the fire came
The Eaton Fire tested this partnership in a way no one wanted. Black churches in Altadena and Pasadena were destroyed or damaged, and many of the families they serve were displaced.
BCCA has kept a record of the churches destroyed and impacted, and through our Eaton Fire recovery advocacy, we push for an equitable recovery, restoration funding, and the preservation of these vital institutions. Through Senior Summits and community events, we’ve also worked to connect older residents and families with resources as they rebuild.
A building can burn. A congregation is its people, and its work goes on.
A table with room for everyone
Our vision is simple: thriving, resilient, equitable communities where every person has access to opportunity, resources, and support, with faith and civic leaders working hand in hand.
You don’t need to belong to a church to be part of that. BCCA’s monthly meetings, held on the last Friday of each month at The Athenaeum in Pasadena, are open to community members, faith leaders, and civic partners. Pastors and congregations across Pasadena, Altadena, and the San Gabriel Valley are welcome to join the alliance.
Whatever your faith, or if you don’t practice one, there is a seat for you here.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Black Clergy & Civic Alliance (BCCA) is a program of Community Women Vital Voices. It brings together pastors, faith leaders, civic leaders, and residents from Pasadena, Altadena, the San Gabriel Valley, and Los Angeles County to strengthen communities and promote justice, equity, and opportunity.
Pastors and faith organizations can reach out through our Get Involved page or contact us directly. A good first step is attending a monthly meeting on the last Friday of the month at The Athenaeum in Pasadena.
No. BCCA welcomes community members, civic partners, and volunteers of any background. You can attend a meeting, volunteer at an event, or become a member.
Pull up a chair. Whether you lead a congregation, serve in civic life, or simply care about your neighbors, there’s a place for you in this work.
Stand with BCCA. Strengthen our community.
Whether you join as a member, volunteer your time, or make a donation — your support helps us advocate, educate, and uplift families across Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel Valley & Los Angeles County.