The Very Reverend Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas is a renowned theologian, author, and scholar who has made significant contributions to the field of African American religion and culture. Born in 1952 in Washington, D.C., Dr. Douglas grew up in Dayton Ohio in a family involved in the African American Church tradition, which would later become the foundation of her academic work.
As a theologian, Dr. Douglas has focused her work on exploring the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in the African American Church. She is particularly known for her groundbreaking book “Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God,” in which she critiques the ways in which the black body has been dehumanized in American society and calls for a new understanding of justice based on the full humanity of all people.
In recognition of her work, Dr. Douglas has received numerous awards and honors, including being named one of the “100 Most Influential African Americans” by Ebony magazine. She has also served as a professor of theology at several universities, including Howard University, The Episcopal Divinity School, and Goucher College.
As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important to recognize and honor individuals like Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas who have made significant contributions to our understanding of the black experience. Through her work, she has challenged us to reconsider our beliefs and to strive towards a more just and equitable society. Dr. Douglas also gave the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative Address at the University of Dayton which is a part of UD’s speaker series.
