The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is one of the oldest Black Protestant denominations in the United States with a rich history in Black liberation and social justice movements. It was founded in 1816 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Richard Allen, a former slave who became a prominent preacher and community leader.

The AME Church was established as a response to the discrimination and segregation African Americans faced in predominantly white Methodist congregations. The church provided a space for Black worshipers to practice their faith freely and work towards social and political equality.

Over the years, the AME Church has been an influential force in advocating for civil rights and racial justice. It played a key role in the abolitionist movement, the Underground Railroad, and the struggle for desegregation and voting rights during the Civil Rights Movement.

Prominent figures in Black history who were associated with the AME Church include Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, a leading advocate for Black rights and self-determination, and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first female bishop in the denomination's history.

Today, the AME Church continues to be a strong voice for social justice and equality, advocating for issues such as criminal justice reform, economic empowerment, and racial reconciliation. The denomination has a global presence, with congregations and missions in countries around the world.