Urban Ministries

Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI), an independent African American-owned Christian media company established in 1970, is based in Chicago and provides educational resources such as Sunday School curricula, books, movies, and websites tailored for African American churches and diverse faith communities. The company has served over 40,000 churches across the U.S., Caribbean, and Africa, with more than 100,000 Sunday School teachers utilizing its materials. Rooted in evangelical theology yet distinctly tied to African American church traditions, UMI was founded by Melvin E. Banks, who, inspired by a childhood vision, dedicated his life to educating African Americans in Christian teachings.

Banks, educated at Moody Bible Institute and Wheaton College, where he earned multiple degrees, co-founded UMI after recognizing the need for culturally relevant resources while working at Scripture Press. The company initially operated from his family's basement before moving to a new headquarters in Calumet City, Illinois, in 1996.

Banks, who authored several books and received the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, passed away in 2021 at age 86. Stanley Long succeeded him as Chairman in 2021 after decades of service. In March 2023, Regine Jean-Baptiste became UMI's first female publisher and executive vice president of business operations.