Deep Calls to Deep: A new book by Rev. Dr. Yvette Blair-Lavallais is coming!
Transform Network is honored to celebrate the release of Deep Calls to Deep by Rev. Dr. Yvette (why-vette) Blair Lavallais, published by Broadleaf Books.
This powerful book traces the history of the six ATS-accredited Historically Black Theological Seminaries, honoring their roots, founders, denominational leaders, allies, and lasting impact. Emerging against the backdrop of the Civil War and Reconstruction, these institutions created theological containers where Black people could be trained, equipped, and formed for leadership at a time when Black education itself was an extraordinary act of faith and resistance.
Rev. Dr. Yvette shared with us:
“This book is about why our beloved Black seminaries matter, how they continue to shape generations of leaders in the church, academy and beyond, and why we must protect and preserve them, especially given this political landscape. Deep Calls to Deep weaves popular culture - music and the arts (yes, there's some mention of Prince, Curtis Mayfield, Jay-Z and Childish Gambino), the chitlin' circuit and the Harlem Renaissance. Why? Because you cannot adequately talk about Black Christian tradition without these.”
At Transform Network, we believe in resourcing, training, and mobilizing people and communities of faith to discern and join what God is already doing in the world. We celebrate Rev. Dr. Yvette’s scholarship, storytelling, and witness, and we invite our community to order and share this important work.
