eng Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Public Health Research 2327-6703 2025-04-11 13 2 74 79 10.12691/ajphr-13-2-6 AJPHR20251326 article DaKysha Moore dmooreonsomu@ncat.edu 1 Lisa N. Mansfield 2 Nicole Caviness-Ashe 3 Elijah O. Onsomu 4 Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC Cancer Prevention and Control Training Program, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL Division of Nursing, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC During the COVID-19 pandemic, many minority communities tried different strategies to increase their membersĄŻ vaccination rates. This study uses diffusion of innovations theory [1] with a focus on Ą°the sequence of change agent rolesĄ± to explore Black pastorsĄŻ approach to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Ten semi-structured interviews gauged how Black pastors understood their role in increasing vaccine use in their communities. Seven themes emerged from analysis: creating awareness of change; establishing a connection; seeking to understand; encouraging the new behavior; leveraging the power of interpersonal communication; maintaining support; and providing future assistance. Results im-ply that by continuing to work with healthcare providers, Black pastors can help to in-crease awareness about annual COVID-19 boosters among their church members and in surrounding communities. https://pubs.sciepub.com/ajphr/13/2/6/ajphr-13-2-6.pdf Church Leaders Community COVID-19 Faith Community Health Communication Religion Vaccine