This project explores the connections and/or tension between notions of racial uplift among African American Baptist ministers nurtured in folk revivalist traditions and ministers influenced by formal theological spaces and social gospel activist traditions. These traditions draw from distinctive, yet overlapping, spiritual and intellectual streams. But many of their ideas about the social-theological goals of their ministries, preaching styles, and social locations differed due to historical and geographical considerations. Few scholars look at the African American experience for insight about revival practices and traditions. Notable books on revivalism celebrate the contributions of Charles Finney and Billy Graham. But numerous black Baptists wereskilled practitioners ofrevivalistic evangelicalism. An emphasis on education as social uplift also loomed large among black Baptists. Class-conscious notions of racial integration and moral change for America kept many black Baptist preachers engaged in political activism for social change. The debates between these traditions of preachers about sermon style and delivery, social engagement or mass evangelism informed ministerial practices and political positions.This study examines a small sample of this history through a close reading of black religion and black politics within the African American Baptist experience.