Black Clergy Women Leadership Team

BCWUMC 3.8.21_Page_2_Image_0002.jpg

Rev. Dawn Hand, President

Rev. Dawn M. Hand is an ordained Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. She is serving on-loan as the Pittsburgh District Superintendent in the Western Pennsylvania Conference. A native of Charlotte, NC, she has served in three different conferences. A prominent advocate for social justice, she has led and collaborated in local and national initiatives including immigration reform, alleviating childhood poverty, women’s rights, and more. She is passionate about her work and witness justice ministries. The scripture that guides her is Micah 6:8. Her favorite food is ribs. Rev. Hand loves to laugh and believes God has a wonderful sense of humor for calling her to ordained ministry. She is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Reverend Dr. Geraldine W. McClellan, Vice President

Reverend McClellan received her Bachelor of Arts degree Bethune-Cookman College.  She received her Masters of Religious Education and Divinity Degrees from Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.  Reverend McClellan was made a recipient of the Honorary Doctorate Degree in 1993 by Bethune-Cookman College.

Reverend McClellan was ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1980 and holds the distinct honor as the first African American woman to be ordained in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. in 1982, she was ordained an Elder. She is a certified clinical counselor and served as a certified clinical chaplain with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida for 23 years before retiring in May of 2019.

BCWUMC 3.8.21_Page_3_Image_0001.jpg

Reverend Dr. Gennifer Brooks, Sage

Dr. Gennifer Benjamin Brooks holds the Styberg chair in Preaching and is the tenured Ernest and Bernice Styberg Professor of Preaching, Director of the Styberg Preaching Institute and the Doctor of Ministry Program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Dean of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) Doctor of Ministry in Preaching program.  She is an ordained elder and full clergy member of the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church and pastored local churches in rural, suburban, urban and cross-racial settings. Dr. Brooks holds a Bachelor of Business, cum laude and a Master of Business Administration from Pace University, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and a Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy in Liturgical Studies from Drew University. 

BCWUMC 3.8.21_Page_3_Image_0002.jpg

Reverend Twanda King, Chaplain 

Rev. Twanda King is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. She is an elder in the United Methodist Denomination currently serving Christ United Methodist Church in Baltimore City. She serves on the BWC Baltimore District Committee on Ordained Ministry, BWC Health and Wellness Board, BWC Clergy Care Intensive. Treasurer for the Black Clergy Women of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, and Historian for the National Black Clergy Women. A graduate of Morgan State University and Lancaster Theological Seminary, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Divinity degree.

Pastor King is the author of the book “Breathe – A Pastor’s Journey to Wholeness. Available on Amazon. Pastor Prioleau’s favorite book is A Pastor’s Journey to Wholeness. Favorite scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Rev. Maxine Allen, Historian

Maxine Allen, is the first African-American woman to be ordained an Elder in the UMC in Arkansas. At 43, after returning to school, she earned a BA from Philander Smith College (Little Rock, AR) and then a MDiv from Gammon Theological Seminary (Atlanta, GA). She has served on conference staff, as a pastor, teacher, mentor of young clergy, and Associate Chief Operating Officer and Dean of the Chapel at Philander Smith College. She currently is the Pastor of St. Paul-Maumelle UMC. A fierce advocate for education and social justice for women, children, and those living in poverty; Allen has two adult children, Rev. Danita Waller-Paige and Tufara Waller-Muhammad; and a granddaughter, Leah Paige.

Rev S Dianna Masters, Treasurer

Rev S Dianna Masters is a retired elder in the United Methodist Church. She is married to Rev. Dr. Henry Masters, Sr. She is the mother of three adult children and four awesome grandchildren. She worked with: United Women in Faith, Mission U, Global Ministries, and served as several churches. Currently, she is serving as a coach for pastors and local churches. She is the CEO of a nonprofit called Hannah’s Descendants, Inc Christian Women in Prayer.

                                   

           

Rev. Tiffanie Postell, South Central Jurisdictional

Tiffanie Certrina Postell was born in Americus, Georgia on May 12, 1981. She was baptized as a baby in the AME Church and confirmed at the age of twelve at Ben Hill United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated Cum Laude from Gammon Theological Seminary in 2014 with a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Tiffanie is an Elder in Full Connection with the Louisiana Annual Conference. She currently serves as Senior Pastor of Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Slidell, Louisiana. She is a servant leader whose Christian philosophy comes from Luke 22:27. She believes that the love of God can be shared to many and by many, one interaction at a time.

Rev. Camille Henderson-Edwards, Southeastern Jurisdiction

Rev. Camille Henderson-Edwards is director for Economic, Health and Gender Justice at the General Board of Church and Society. She works with decision makers in the government and faith coalitions to advance GBCS strategic priorities. A provisional elder within the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, Camille served as an associate pastor at Cascade United Methodist Church, Atlanta Georgia before joining the General Board of Church and Society. She also has previous experience with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Children’s Defense Fund, and The Carter Center’s Human Rights Program. Ultimately, it is her desire to serve as a public theologian to further develop the intersection of social justice and the life of the Church.

Rev. Towanda NT Connelly, Northeastern Jurisdiction

Rev. Towanda NT Connelly is an ordained Elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is on loan as senior pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church in Desert Southwest Conference.  A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Towanda enjoys preaching the word enthusiastically to encourage the people’s hearts and ignite a fire-filled passion for serving Christ. Her life scripture comes from Nehemiah 8:10. “The joy of the Lord is her strength.” Before entering full-time ministry, Towanda served God as a licensed clinical social worker advocating for justice for our black and brown students in public school systems. Towanda resides in Arizona with her husband, Mr. Lawton Connelly, Jr., and their fur baby, LuLu Belle.

Reverend Dr. Tara Gay

Dr. Tara Gay is a native of Chicago, Illinois. Presently, she serves at Big Beaver UMC in Troy, Mi as the senior pastor. She is the Vice President of Sacred Sisters, the chairperson of Michigan Conference Nominations Committee and the Chairperson of Black Clergy for the Michigan Conference. Pastor Gay has taught at Indiana Wesleyan Seminary, Ecumenical Theological Seminary and Payne Theological Seminary. During her years in seminary, she served in the United States Air Force as a Chaplain Candidate for Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado and Scott Air Force Bases in Illinois. She just got married to Bryon Gay. She now has four children: Christopher, Luke, Zane and Jake and six grandchildren.

Rev. Tabitha Mock Rankin, South Central Jurisdiction

Tabitha Mock Rankin is an Ordained Elder and has served within the Texas Annual Conference of the UMC for 10 years. She is currently serving as the director of the Texas Southern University Wesley Foundation. Other full time appointments have included Chaplain, Wiley College, Director, Tyler United Wesley Foundation, and Pastor, St. Paul/Pleasant Grove, Huntsville. Tabitha is the mother of six beautiful children. Nyah – 21, Taylor -18, Zora – 15, Isaiah – 8 and twin girls Kennedy and McKenzie 7. She is a graduate of Sam Houston State University, Gammon Theological Seminary and is currently working towards earning an Ed.D in Christian Education Leadership.