Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church

by L. Michelle Smith

In collaboration with JVL Media -- A captivating exploration of why many high-performing Black business leaders attribute their transformational leadership qualities to their experiences growing up in the Black Church and how we can foster these skills in younger generations despite waning church attendance.

The Black church in the U.S. has long been a “one-stop shop” for developing Black leaders, teaching them many of the qualities required to lead effectively in today’s ultra-competitive, digital, and swiftly transforming corporate world. Many high-performing Black leaders benefited from their experiences growing up in this cultural institution steeped in rich history.

Merging cultural study with applied neuroscience and tenets of positive psychology, L. Michelle Smith dissect how these qualities are demonstrated by leaders across industries, from resiliency to their sense of undeniable purpose, their ability to build community and collaborative environments, the delivery and language of their speaking style to their unique leadership flair. She reveals how this historic institution has served as a timeless wellspring of leadership development, empowerment, and cultural preservation and ultimately, is Black leaders’ “secret sauce.”

Call & Response also explores whether the Black Church will be able to continue to ingrain these skills in future generations. Smith examines how cultural shifts have resulted in a decline in church attendance, how online attendance has risen since the Covid pandemic, and finally, how Black leaders may—or may not—be passing these traditions down to their children.

288 pages, Hardcover

Published February 10, 2026

About the author

L. Michelle is the premiere voice in leadership at the apex of science and culture. She runs her own private practice as a C-Suite advisor, certified executive coach, speaker and expert facilitator.

Reviews

[Audrey Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What surprised me most about this book was how clearly it connected leadership science to my lived experience. As I read, I realized that many of the skills I’ve relied on throughout my professional career—resilience, collaboration, accountability, perseverance, and emotional intelligence—were incubated early in the Black church.

Call & Response shows how the Black church has long functioned as an incubator for future leaders, teaching people how to lead with purpose, navigate hierarchy, motivate others, and remain grounded during uncertainty. Seeing these lessons named and supported by research helped me better understand my own leadership instincts and why they’ve served me so well professionally.

Importantly, you don’t have to have attended a Black church to benefit from these insights. The leadership lessons are universal and adaptable, making this book relevant for anyone interested in leading with greater humanity, clarity, and courage in today’s workplace.

This book is a powerful reminder that leadership development doesn’t only happen in classrooms or boardrooms—it happens in community.

[Maiya W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up in the Black Church, I was immediately intrigued by the title and premise of "Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church" by L. Michelle Smith. In corporate culture, it is often discouraged to discuss or reference religion, yet many foundational behaviors for Black professionals have been instilled through the community, guidance, and teachings delivered in these environments. "Call and Response" gives voice to the value of these lessons and provides vibrant examples of how many of today's top leaders are products of their experiences.

As with her prior books, "No, Thanks" and "Yes, Please", Author Smith delivers realistic and relatable advice for navigating personal and professional life while remaining true to your values and desires. "Call and Response" allows the reader to engage in the practical application of the many lessons learned during Sunday morning services and Wednesday evening Bible studies. The book also provides wisdom without feeling preachy or heavy-handed.

This book is a must-read for anyone raised in the Black Church tradition who wants to connect their spiritual, personal, and professional growth.

[Shawnybird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all of L. Michelle’s previous books, and this one is her best! She’s landed on an original and compelling thesis, structured her leadership lessons into a solid format for learning and discussion, and featured a strong call to action for preserving the tradition of the Black church. Admittedly I’m not her target audience and I wasn’t raised in the Black church, but I found her book thought provoking and memorable. Each leadership lesson begins with personal storytelling — some from L. Michelle’s own memories of growing up in the Good Street Baptist Church in Dallas, some from C-level business executives from Fortune 500 companies, and some from prominent members of society. Those anecdotes are then rooted in research — she surveyed 150-plus businesspeople — and psychology. She ends by rounding out each chapter with takeaways for the workplace and a discussion guide. The format pulls in readers and leaves them with lessons they won’t soon forget. “Call and Response” ends with a call to action for the community to recognize this organic and effective leadership pipeline — and work to stem the decline in church membership that’s happening to churches nationwide.I finding myself still thinking about the very valid points she makes.

[Haven Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a return on your investment. L Michelle Smith always overfills your cup with greatness. Buy the book, join the community.