What Leaders Should Know About Black Latter-day Saints | An Interview with Brothaz in the Foyer

Dec 17, 2025

Will Kennedy and Isiah Gray are co-hosts of Brothaz in the Foyer, a platform focused on the experiences of Black Latter-day Saints. They share their personal faith journeys and discuss the importance of addressing race within the Church. Highlights include their experiences in the temple, emphasizing the need for diverse representation. They advocate for empathy and meaningful conversations to bridge cultural gaps and challenge leaders to view everyone as God's children. Additionally, they reflect on church history, encouraging understanding and reconciliation.

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ANECDOTE

Temple Parking Lot Origin

Will, Isiah, Andrew and Ray started Brothers in the Foyer after a Draper Temple session where they received unusual attention as a group of Black men.
That temple parking lot conversation sparked their mission to normalize Black Latter-day Saint presence in Utah.

INSIGHT

Culture Shapes Church Experience

Cultural background shapes Latter-day Saint experience and perceptions of belonging.
Brothers in the Foyer expanded from Utah-specific issues to broad Christian dialogue and inclusion.

ANECDOTE

Family Conversion In Indianapolis

Will's family converted after missionaries taught his mother in Indianapolis and he was baptized at eight.
His parents later separated and other relatives joined, showing conversion's ripple effect in his family.

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Will Kennedy and Isiah Gray are members of Brothaz in the Foyer, a group that produces content to represent and share the experiences of Black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are part of a larger group of hosts for the Brothaz in the Foyer Podcast, and their goal is to bring people “from the foyer into the chapel.” This conversation explores their personal journeys, the dynamics of race within the Church, and the importance of fostering understanding and inclusivity.

Links

YouTube: @brothazinthefoyer
Instagram: @brothazinthefoyer
TikTok: @brothazinthefoyer
Paul Reeve books
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Key Insights

Experiences in the Temple: Will and Isiah share how their experiences as Black men in the temple often draw attention, highlighting the need for normalization of diverse representation within sacred spaces.

Cultural Differences: The hosts discuss how their backgrounds influence their experiences in the Church, noting that cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and the need for open dialogue.

Reconciliation with Church History: Both emphasize the importance of understanding the Church’s history regarding race, including the priesthood ban, and how this knowledge can strengthen faith rather than diminish it.

Empathy and Genuine Interaction: They stress the importance of treating all individuals as children of God and engaging in genuine conversations to bridge cultural gaps, rather than making interactions feel forced or awkward.

Political Climate and Faith: The discussion touches on the politicization of race and the need for members to prioritize their faith and love for others over political affiliations, promoting unity within the Church.

Leadership Applications

Foster Open Dialogue: Leaders should create environments where members feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to race and culture, encouraging transparency and understanding.

Educate on Church History: Leaders can benefit from familiarizing themselves with resources like Paul Reeve’s book on race in the priesthood to better address historical issues and foster inclusivity.

Encourage Representation: Leaders should seek diverse voices in leadership roles and callings, recognizing that representation can enhance the community’s strength and unity, while also being mindful not to tokenize individuals based on race.

Highlights

00:03:09 – Origin of Brothaz in the Foyer Podcast
00:04:34 – Cultural Differences in Latter-day Saint Experiences
00:06:08 – Broader Christian Dialogue and Inclusivity
00:06:58 – Personal Background: Will’s Journey to the Church
00:08:35 – Personal Background: Isiah’s Journey to the Church
00:10:58 – Navigating Church Culture and History
00:14:03 – Discussing Race in Church Settings
00:17:04 – Parenting and Discussing Race with Children
00:19:46 – Encouragement for Friends Struggling with Church History
00:20:15 – Seeking the Savior in Difficult Conversations
00:22:34 – Addressing Race in Church Leadership
00:23:38 – Importance of Validation and Transparency
00:25:27 – Practical Approaches for Church Leaders
00:26:26 – Genuine Interactions vs. Awkwardness
00:29:06 – Experiences in the Temple
00:31:17 – Building Relationships through Meaningful Conversations
00:33:41 – Representation and Diversity in Leadership
00:35:02 – Navigating Race in Utah and the Wasatch Front
00:37:57 – The Impact of Politics on Race Conversations
00:42:36 – Mixing Christianity with Politics
00:45:59 – Addressing Racism in the Church Context
00:47:02 – Empathy and Understanding in Racial Discussions

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