I attended Catholic school from kindergarten through twelfth grade. My faith was shaped by classmates, conversations with family members, and high school faculty. I was taught that my actions affect me, my relationship with God, and my community. I learned to be accountable and was taught about a disruptive Jesus.. I view Jesus as countercultural, modeling loving call-ins, building authentic relationships with those on the margins, and embodying radical inclusion.
Committed to being like Christ, not just the title of Christian.
Being raised Catholic, I once believed I could not be a faith leader. Yet in my youth, I began learning about other faith traditions and attended non denominational services. I saw Black women preaching, leading worship, and caring for their communities. Those experiences helped me recognize the importance of my voice as a Black woman also for those pushed out because of who they love or how many they love. I am committed to expanding what a faith leader is, choosing to be fiercely inclusive, passionately engage across faith traditions, and care for those without religious affiliation.
Public Theologian
Being a public theologian, for me, is weaving God and religious belief into conversation with everyday life. I bring my academic training and an inclusive mindset into accessible, community-centered messages. I am bridging church, academy, and everyday communities to challenge shame-based teachings.
I am in care as a ministerial candidate within the Metropolitan Community Churches. (MCC) MCC is a global Christian movement grounded in inclusion, justice, spiritual transformation, and community. We speak out against religious, political, and systemic exclusion.
I take the charge of MCC seriously, nurturing new generations of courageous spiritual activists rooted in hope, dignity, and collective liberation. My work emphasizes theology as something to be used and studied, and it cultivates liberative engagement. Treating lived experience, cultural texts, and community wisdom as essential sources of education, care, and transformative resistance.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear
but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
United Church of Christ Sermon Series
Sermon Feedback
You held a calm, clear presence with fierce energy and a call to action without shaming.
— S.A.
Thank you for your authentic self.
— E.H.
My heart, soul, and mind were impressed, nurtured, and challenged by your message.
— K.M.
I loved all your references and your scripture pick. To more love, divine rage, and justice in all the places.
— E.J.
Academic Presentations
Sacred Rage
I share my definition of sacred rage, which begins with reverence for ourselves as God’s creation. I focus on the prophetic witness as one who identifies with the people, hope, and crises of their time. I close with the obligation we have as faith leaders to acknowledge that God hasn’t stopped speaking to women despite others’ refusal to listen.
Oversexualization of Black Women & Girls
In this presentation, I break down the ways that Black women and girls are oversexualized. The systems that disregard and harm them will be named. Using the model created by Natasha Crooks, MPH, the church can implement specific protective habits at each stage of one’s path to adulthood.
White Savior Complex In Social Justice Work
I explain how the portrayal of Jesus as a white person perpetuates the idea that power is tied to whiteness. Drawing from the framework of liberation theology, connect with Jesus as a Liberator. Aligning with the call to move from ally to accomplice on the path to equity.
The way you talk about Jesus, I wish I had that notion as a child. C.M.
