Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2020, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project was to discover the roles and responsibilities of black pastors' wives in the Shepherds Connection. In designing this project, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was distributed to sixty-six participants. Results revealed that prominent roles included: women's ministry overseer, teacher, counselor, worship leader, and preacher/minister. Least prominent roles were: prophet, supervisor, children's ministry leader, and teen ministry leader. Furthermore, a majority of participants found responsibilities included involvement in administration, church-running decisions, programmatic ministry design and worship design. Most participants also responded that meeting with political leaders and officiating weddings, funerals, and baptisms fell outside responsibilities.

Committee: William Myers PhD (Advisor); Douglas Little PhD (Committee Member); Crystal Walker DMin (Committee Member) Subjects: Black Studies; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Spirituality

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2009, Educational Leadership

Many Americans in the nineteenth century argued for limited education for blacks –or no education at all for African Americans in the south. As a result, black churches took up the role and pushed for education as a means to liberate African Americans. The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church stands as a good exemplar for a black denomination that explicitly expressed in their policies that they understood the connection of education to African American liberation. This study is a historical analysis of the AME Church's advocacy of African American empowerment through education from 1816 to 1893. In the AME Church's nineteenth century doctrinal statements and publications the leaders explicitly stated that education was a necessary component for black liberation. In this dissertation I argue that, although there were other organizations that pushed for African American education in the nineteenth century, the African Methodist Episcopal Church stood at the fore in advocating for education and connecting it to African American liberation. My primary question is: How did the AME Church connect their advocacy for black education to liberation for African Americans in the nineteenth century? The dissertation will explore two aspects of liberation in the nineteenth century. During the first half of the nineteenth century–from the AME Church's founding in 1816 through the end of the Civil war in 1865 –the Church worked toward a liberation that was focused on the abolition of slavery and overcoming racial oppression. In the latter half of the nineteenth century from 1865 to 1893 –with the death of Bishop Payne– the AME Church focused on a liberation that was geared toward the notions of uplift and self-agency within the black community, namely black social, economic, and political advancement. The last chapter will examine how this historical analysis has implications for transforming African American education in present times. The text will examine the black chu (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kate Rousmaniere PhD (Committee Chair); Mark Giles PhD (Committee Member); Kathleen Knight-Abowitz PhD (Committee Member); Carla Pestana PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: African Americans; African History; American History; American Literature; American Studies; Bible; Black History; Education; Education History; Educational Sociology; Educational Theory; History; Literacy; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Multicultural Education; Philosophy

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2023, Educational Administration

Attracting and retaining volunteers is essential to the success of any non-profit organization, including the church, and is critical to broadening our understanding of volunteer behaviors across all racial groups. Most volunteer activities are affiliated with faith-based organizations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Blacks account for 9.11% of all volunteers, with 41.2% focusing those efforts on religious organizations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015; Congressional Digest, 2006). Understanding the behaviors and motivations of different volunteer segments becomes even more important when endeavoring to meet the diverse needs of our communities. Though nearly 63 million Americans volunteer yearly, this number is declining, impeding nonprofit organization's ability to service those in need (Do Good Institute, 2018). The primary purpose of this narrative inquiry was to learn more about the factors driving change in volunteer behaviors to increase outcomes. The perspective of an underrepresented population informed the narrative regarding volunteer behaviors and motivations. The data collection method used was a focused inquiry through semi-structured interviews of a purposive sampling. To analyze the data, a thematic review was completed, identifying recurring themes and patterns. The thirteen interviews provided insight into volunteer behaviors from the perspective of the Black church volunteer. Two emerging themes aligned with the literature review: prosocial motivation and recognition/appreciation. Other emergent themes were dissatisfaction with unclear objectives, lack of provisions and communications, and community outreach and engagement. Several questions were explored, including why people volunteer and cease volunteering, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volunteer engagement, specific barriers to volunteering, and how church culture influences volunteer behavior.

Committee: Kevin Kelly (Committee Chair); Wen Qi (Committee Member); Carla Campbell-Jackson (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; African Americans; Black Studies; Clergy; Education; Religion; Religious Congregations; Social Research; Social Structure

Doctor of Education, Ashland University, 2022, College of Education

This dissertation researches the lived experience of Black males ages 18-39 and their level of participation with the Baptist church in Columbus, Ohio. Recent researchers have identified specifically the mass exodus of Black men leaving the church (Lampley, 2017). The PEW Research Center reported in a 2014 Religion Landscape Study that the decline in the presence and engagement of the young adult population within Christian religious communities has become a worldwide issue, not limited to a single denomination, race, or location. Recent studies suggest that the church has always satisfied the spiritual need to help Black men in providing leadership to their families and community (Collins et al., 2015). However, this study will identify and understand the mitigating factors absent in past research that motivate this group of Black men's commitment to attending and participating in church. This dissertation uses Ryan and Deci's (1985) self-determination theory and Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory (1943) as frameworks within which to understand this phenomenon.

Committee: Judy Alston (Committee Chair) Subjects: Educational Leadership

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2022, Journalism (Communication)

The objective of this dissertation is to offer a historical account of the anti-convict leasing efforts led by the Black club women of the National Association of Colored Women spearheaded by Mary Church Terrell, from the organization's formation in 1896 to the abolishing of convict leasing in the early 1930s. Through a qualitative historical analysis of the journalistic work of Mary Church Terrell and the NACW, this dissertation examines how Black club women subverted and leveraged their unique locus shaped by their intersectionality as well as the double burden of gender and race, to advocate for Black uplift, challenge prevailing Black stereotypes, and expose the horrors of the southern convict leasing regime, at a time when white men predominantly occupied rhetorical and political spaces. Through counter storytelling and a rejection of journalistic objectivity, the NACW refuted dominant typecast portrayals of Black womanhood—and by extension, the Black community at large—in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and exposed the racial disparities of convict leasing, long before the mainstream white press acknowledged the system's unconstitutionality.

Committee: Aimee Edmondson (Committee Chair); Vincent Jungkunz (Committee Member); Eddith Dashiell (Committee Member); Katherine Jellison (Committee Member) Subjects: African Americans; History

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Franklin University, 2021, Business Administration

The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to understand the experiences of dual leadership for African American women. The research question for the study is: What are the lived experiences of African American women leaders in ministry and the workplace? The homogenous sample consisted of nine study participants from the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States of America. The participants represented four generations ranging in age from 21-76. The participants had an average of 16 years in ministry leadership and 20 years in the workplace. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews using a video conferencing platform with an average interview time of 55 minutes guiding the data collection process. Eight principal themes containing subthemes relating to codes materialized from the data: leadership styles, experiences of microaggressions, systemic sexism, health impact, culture, perception of religiosity and faith, business and leadership relationship, and dual leadership. The study utilized the software instrument ATLAS.ti to organize systematically, code, identify and link research themes, and assist with data analysis.

Committee: Bora Pajo (Committee Member); Alynica Bowen (Committee Chair); Niccole Hyatt (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; Organizational Behavior; Womens Studies

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2020, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project was to discover why some Black Millennials of a large State University in Northeastern Ohio go to church and some do not. The design of this project was a five-point Likert-scale survey that was administered electronically through Survey Monkey. The participants of the survey were Black graduate students; as well as Black Millennials who accessed my personal Facebook. The survey indicated a strong need for preaching, teaching, and fellowship being critical to why the participants either did or did not go to church.

Committee: William Myers Dr. (Advisor) Subjects: Minority and Ethnic Groups; Multicultural Education; Spirituality

MA, Kent State University, 2019, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Sociology and Criminology

The objective of this study is to explore the experiences of Black women who have or are currently volunteering or working within Black churches. The Black church, a term created to represent the pluralism of Black churches in the United States, became a place of refuge; it was a place for individuals who desired to heal, to strengthen his/her spirit, and to gain tools to fight racism (Cone 1979). The phrase “the Black church” is both a concept and representative of religious institutions; this phrase and the term “church” will be used interchangeably throughout this paper. Thus asking, what are Black women's experiences in the Black church and how do Black women's involvement in the church impact their mental health? Current literature focuses on the protective factors that religiosity and spirituality provide, but it does not encompass Black women's full experiences within the church as it relates to their perceptions of their mental health. The importance of this study resides in our understanding of the complexity of Black women's lived experiences—the social consequences of being both Black and a woman—within sacred spaces. Furthermore, this project will address a gap in literature within the social sciences regarding the status of Black women's mental health, specifically those who dedicate their time serving the church and community. A mixed survey of both open and close-ended questions was utilized to ascertain a deeper understanding of Black women's experiences. Findings from this study suggest that Black women have a complicated relationship with the church as it relates to their mental health and service to their religious communities. The following themes elaborate on black women's give and take relationship: issues of gender inclusivity, stress due to service, visibility in the black church, social support, and the black church's impact on mental health.

Committee: Kamesha Spates (Committee Chair); Rebecca Catto (Committee Member); Clare Stacey (Committee Member) Subjects: Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2017, History

During the antebellum era, black activists organized themselves into insurgent networks, with the goal of achieving political and racial equality for all black inhabitants of the United States. The Negro Convention Movement, herein referred to as the Black Convention Movement, functioned on state and national levels, as the chief black insurgent network. As radical black rights groups continue to rise in the contemporary era, it is necessary to mine the historical origins that influence these bodies, and provide contexts for understanding their social critiques. This dissertation centers on the agency of the participants, and reveals a black insurgent network seeking its own narrative of liberation through tactics and rhetorical weapons. This study follows in the footing of Dr. Howard Holman Bell, who produced bodies of work detailing the antebellum Negro conventions published in the 1950s and 1960s. Additionally, this work inserts itself into the historiography of black radicals, protest movements, and racial debates of antebellum America, arguing for a successful interpretation of black insurgent action. Class, race, gender, religion, and politics, all combine within this study as potent framing devices. Together, the elements within this effort, illustrates the Black Convention Movement as the era's premier activist organization that inadvertently pushed the American nation toward civil war, and the destruction of institutionalized slavery.

Committee: Walter Hixson Ph.D. (Advisor); Elizabeth Mancke Ph.D. (Committee Member); Zachery Williams Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kevin Kern Ph.D. (Committee Member); Daniel Coffey Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; African Americans; American History; Black History; Black Studies; Gender; History; Journalism; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Religion

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2012, African-American and African Studies

When it comes to the Black churchwoman's identity her place in the Black church is highly prescribed and restrained. Black churchwomen are reduced to roles such as ushers, nurses, Sunday school teachers, hostesses, secretaries, clerks, deaconesses, first ladies and mothers of the church. However limited the roles and identities of Black women are thought to be it rarely includes a queer sexuality. It is within this context that the Black lesbian church member has been marginalized, spoken for and in many ways silenced. Using Foucault's theory of pastoral power and obligational salvation, this paper demonstrates how the discourses that come out of the church combined with the secular and spiritual power of the church has enabled the Black church to continue to fulfill its traditional obligations to both the spiritual self - in which the goal is salvation - and to the social self - in which the goal is civil liberties and freedom, whilst also holding on to forms of homophobia which both damage the spiritual self of Christian lesbians and restrict their civil liberties and freedom. Through the ethnographic study of four Black Christian lesbians this project begins to fill the profound gap in the knowledge, analysis and understanding of Black lesbian experiences within the Black church by unpacking: (1) Black Christian lesbians' experiences in the Black church; (2) strategies they have developed for dealing with homophobia found in Black churches and (3) the spaces they find for themselves in the church in which they can create a sense of belonging.

Committee: Dr. Denise Noble (Committee Chair); Dr. Mark Moritz (Committee Member); Dr. Judson Jeffries (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; Glbt Studies; Religion

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2012, Political Science (Arts and Sciences)

This essay examines three critiques that are broadly focused on the dimension of the black church: The identity of black folk through the lens of Christianity; the subjective content of what a black Christian constitutes that is often distorted; the objective significance of the Black Church that's been polluted.1 With an amalgamation of political theory and philosophy of religion, it is important to redefine what Christianity means for those who take the Cross seriously. That is, the Cross is meant to symbolize a calling that reconciles suffering and sacrifice to the plight of black folk. In light of these critiques, I offer two reconstructive practices that may contribute to the discourse of black Christianity. The first is known as “Shalom,” raised by Presbyterian Minister Timothy Keller. The second prescription is a term I am coining called “Faithful Suicide.” This project contributes to the discussion of normative political theory which not only reckons infinitude in Christian theology but also in a way welcomes humility, orientation to judgment, and the possibility of Shalom in the face of the finite.

Committee: Julie White (Committee Chair); Tahema Lopez (Committee Member); Vincent Jungkunz (Committee Member) Subjects: Philosophy; Political Science; Religion

MFA, Kent State University, 2009, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of English

This is a series of essays that explore one black woman's journey that she embarks on to alter her body size to save her life and allow her to pursue her dream of a college career. As with any venture into unfamiliar territory, this woman encounters unexpected repercussions from her decision to undergo a major surgical procedure to facilitate her weight loss. As a child and young woman growing up in a community that does not disparage overweight women, the protagonist experiences intense feelings of guilt when she makes the choice to lose weight. Culturally, overweight women in her community hold places of respect and honor. The Roux-n-Y, the weight loss surgery she chooses, is commonly known as a gastric bypass. This is an invasive procedure which entails the cutting and rerouting of the intestines, as well as the reduction in the size of the stomach. This woman experiences the loss of several friends, especially a friend she'd had since childhood, who project their displeasure regarding the reduction of the size of her body. In addition, there is also reluctance on her friend's part to encourage her pursuit of higher learning. They view the combined desire for weight loss and education as a double threat to their friendship and to the culture they have been immersed in since an early age. Throughout the essays this black woman demonstrates a stoic resolve and dedication to the betterment of her life and circumstances through efforts that will provide her with optimal health and academic success.

Committee: Varley O'Connor PhD (Committee Chair); Maggie Anderson MA (Committee Member); Robert Miltner PhD (Committee Member); Robert Pope PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Womens Studies

Bachelor of Arts, Ohio University, 2010, Women's and Gender Studies

The discourse on homosexuality is by no means new. However, within the last several years we have seen an increase in the drive towards marriage equality. That drive coupled with technological advances has allowed people to take their conversations into new venues. Historically closed institutions such as churches have always had opinions on homosexuality yet the conversations stayed within the church or at the very least within the community. The increase in participatory media outlets such as Facebook, MySpace and YouTube has taken the dialogue surrounding homosexuality and the role of religion in assigning rights and worth outside of many private institutions including the Black church, making it part of public discourse. One of the places this dialogue can be found is YouTube. Serving as a platform rather than just a destination for social engagement, YouTube allows people to give life to their own conceptions from the convenience of home, opening up the possibility of global discourse. This opportunity to share your thoughts with the world is significant when looking at the Black church and homosexuality. The Black church has traditionally been a closed institution serving the needs of mainly Black people. The shift to public mediated outlets as a way to express oneself has altered the idea of what is appropriate to discuss in public and what remains inside of the Black community. YouTube helps to chart a generation of people whose civic participation challenges the conservative traditions of Black churches as well as demonstrates an inevitable progression in thought. My paper explores the myriad of public opinions on homosexuality and the Black church, using YouTube as the medium for discovery. Through analysis of video clips and comments, I explore the unique relationship between the Black church and homosexuality while analyzing the cultural and social significance of the Black Church as well as homophobia within the Black community. My research shows t (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dr. Patricia Stokes PhD (Advisor); Dr. Judith Grant PhD (Committee Member); Dr. Lynette Peck PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; African Americans; Biblical Studies; Black Studies; Ethnic Studies; Gender Studies; Glbt Studies; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Religion; Womens Studies

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2024, Antioch New England: Marriage and Family Therapy

Support for collaborative partnerships between Black churches and mental health professionals is on the rise. Yet, little attention has been given to if and how the numerous barriers that Black people face in both domains, among others, affects mental health help-seeking attitudes and preferences on a sociocultural level. When there are negative consequences to mental health treatment utilization, either perceived or real, within every context of one's lived experience, self-concealment may be a more favorable option. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, the current study explores the relationship between self-concealment and religious and professional mental health help-seeking attitudes and preferences among Black, Christian churchgoing adults in the United States (US). Findings reveal that intimate partners are the dominant, preferred help-seeking source among Black churchgoing adults in the US, and mental health professionals are consistently preferred over clergy. Among those high in self-concealment, however, the preferred help-seeking sources are a phone helpline or no one at all. Correlation analyses reveal associated themes between self-concealment and religious and professional mental health help-seeking attitudes. Such themes include: self-stigma, public-stigma, anticipated risks of disclosure, shame, and aversion to vulnerability. Results from this study not only validate the use of interprofessional collaborations as a promising strategy for mitigating mental health treatment barriers among Black, Christian churchgoing adults in the US, but also provides valuable insights to aid in the development of effective collaborative care models. Collaborative programming strategies and considerations for mental health professionals and clergy are discussed. Study limitations and areas for future research are presented as well. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.o (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Denzel Jones Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Stan Bowie Ph.D. (Committee Member); Cynthia Neal Spence Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: African Americans; Mental Health; Pastoral Counseling; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Therapy

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Sociology

Some religious bodies are becoming more accepting of LGBTQ people, although this progression has not been as widely observed in predominantly-black churches and denominations. Nevertheless, black sexual and gender minorities remain relatively religious despite the scarcity of black congregations that fully affirm LGBTQ identities. This generates puzzling questions: are black LGBTQ people subjecting themselves to hostile church environments Sunday after Sunday? Or is it the case that black congregations are not as intolerant as one might think? In The Silent Contract: The Complicated Relationship Between Black LGBTQ People and Religion, I draw upon interviews with 30 black sexual minorities and ethnographic observations of three predominantly-black churches to elucidate whether, why, and how minoritized individuals navigate a potentially oppressive institution. Part One examines how religious indoctrination in childhood fosters the importance of religion in the lives of black people. Participants described attending church regularly as children and being heavily involved in church-sponsored activities. Their faith formation was bolstered by family and quasi-family relationships, as participants typically recalled attending church with their entire families and viewing fellow congregants as family members. Thus, religion provides myriad technical, social, and cultural benefits encouraging church affiliation. Part Two turns to the sexual culture of predominantly-black churches. Although some churches are clear about their views concerning sexual orientation, most are silent on the topic, often (whether consciously or subconsciously) signaling their stances via gender norms and expectations. Part Three clarifies the factors that prompt black sexual gender minorities to remain religiously affiliated or leave the Church. Some black sexual and gender minorities require their churches to be completely affirming of their identities, some choose to enjoy the quiet toleranc (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Korie Little Edwards (Committee Chair); Cynthia Colen (Committee Chair); Rin Reczek (Committee Member) Subjects: Religion; Sociology

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2024, Doctor of Ministry Program

This project discovered why some women do not fully participate in the koinonia at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. The collected and analyzed data revealed their reasons for participating or not participating in church fellowship. Noteworthy findings showed that women understood the significance of fellowshipping together for the purpose of unity and spiritual growth. Additionally, the open-ended question revealed areas of opportunity for women to increase the level of engagement within the church community.

Committee: William Myers (Advisor) Subjects: African Americans; Black Studies; Religious Congregations

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2024, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project was to create and evaluate a manual for the equipping of worship leaders in The Word Church and The Light Church of Northeastern Ohio. The manual was evaluated by a panel of twenty-four experts using a five-point Likert scale survey administered electronically via Google documents and in person. Major findings suggested an overwhelming response by the panel experts who believed the manual is a usable tool that would help church worship leaders be equipped to lead and enhance the worship ministry.

Committee: William Myers Dr. (Advisor) Subjects: Minority and Ethnic Groups; Religion; Religious Congregations

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2023, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project was to create a social justice outreach manual for Black Churches in Flint, Michigan. The manual was evaluated by a panel of experts using a five-point Likert scale survey administered electronically via email and in-person. Major findings suggested an overwhelming response by the panel experts who believed the manual is a usable tool and would help church leaders improve their social justice outreach ministries. A number of experts also commented that the church must take a more active role in the world and send off a clarion call for justice.

Committee: William Myers PhD. (Advisor) Subjects: African American Studies; Black Studies; Minority and Ethnic Groups

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2022, Doctor of Ministry Program

This project discovered the financial knowledge and actions of participants at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Greater Cleveland vicinity. A five-point Likert scale survey was distributed to twenty-seven African American millennials. The major findings for knowledge were the importance of a checking and savings account. The major findings for actions revealed owning a vehicle and having a checking account. Finally, comparative analysis revealed the unchurched were informed and participated more in financial matters juxtaposed to the churched. Likewise, the Greater Cleveland vicinity was informed and participated more in financial matters juxtaposed to NMZBC.

Committee: William Meyers PhD (Advisor) Subjects: African American Studies; Black Studies; Minority and Ethnic Groups

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2021, Communication

ABSTRACT Guided by the normative approach this research seeks to understand how Black single adult mothers communicate with their religious Black married parents in terms of childrearing. This research examines the communication challenges faced by single mothers and their parents as the two parties share the child rearing responsibilities. The normative approach suggests that family communication is challenging due to the context specific demands, or multiple purposes associated with interactions. In this study the normative approach was used to study communication challenges between Black single mothers and their religious married parents who are helping with childrearing, and the difficulties faced without having the father present in the picture. Six Black single mothers and their parents who assist with childrearing were interviewed. Analysis of the qualitative data found two major themes that emerged about the communicative challenges between Black single mothers and their married religious parents using a normative approach. Within these themes there were three subtopics found in each: (1) Topics avoided that lead to stress and or conflict: A- Topics regarding the absent father of the child B- Topics regarding unresolved childhood issues C- Topics regarding lifestyle choices 4 (2) Tensions arising from generational differences A) Differences regarding childrearing B) Differences regarding marriage beliefs and views C) Differences regarding religious points of view

Committee: Kathleen Clark (Advisor); Mary Triece (Committee Member); Yang Lin (Committee Member); Heather Walter (Committee Chair) Subjects: African American Studies; Biblical Studies; Black Studies; Ethnic Studies; Families and Family Life; Gender; Gender Studies; Religion