U.S. Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., in 2007 became the first member of Congress in memory to publicly self-identify as an atheist.

An online “celebrity atheist” site lists hundreds of well-known actors, athletes and business leaders who it says are atheists, agnostics or skeptics.

Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana works to prepare lay men and women for more meaningful and effective ministry within the Black community and to inspire leadership among individuals of all ages.

The Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies at Vanderbilt University works to bring together the African American church community and educational institutions to study important issues concerning the practice of faith and ministry.

Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference works to “strengthen the capacity and network of the African American faith community and its leaders to address the needs of those it serves.”

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People organization works to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

The King Center in Atlanta educates people about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., nonviolent conflict-reconciliation and social change.

Hampton University Ministers’ Conference in Hampton, Va. is the oldest nondenominational African-American ministers conference in the country. The organization works to address the concerns of the African American church and its relationships to the community.

Coalition of African-American Pastors is a Christian organization that works to promote the values of faith and family in U.S. communities.