Black August Series

Leadership Team

Rev. Nicholas Johnson

Nick is a pastor at Raritan Valley Baptist Church, teacher of philosophy and religion at New Jersey City University, and a PhD candidate in New Testament and Early Christianity at Drew University in Madison, NJ. His research focuses on Paul’s epistles, Revelation, and the intersections of Africana, postcolonial, and New Testament studies. Nick serves as the president of the CLBSJ Board. See full bio at https://clbsj.org/about/leadership/nicholas-a-johnson/

Rev. Dr. Hugh Page

Rev. Dr. Hugh R. Page, Jr. is Professor of Theology and Africana Studies and Vice President and Associate Provost at the University of Notre Dame. His research interests include early Hebrew poetry, Africana biblical interpretation, the role of mysticism and esotericism in Anglican and Africana spiritualities, and the Blues aesthetic. He is an elected member of the Society for the Study of Black Religion (SSBR), a Research Associate of Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) at Yale University, the Chair of the Council of the Society of Biblical Literature, and a member of the CLBSJ Board. See full bio at https://clbsj.org/about/leadership/hugh-r-page/

Sr. Sharifa Vernice Meytung

An African-American artist and haijin (a writer of haiku poetry), Sr. Sharifa is a teacher and lay religious practitioner in the Catholic and Buddhist traditions. Her practice is also steeped in and informed by West African, Native and HipHop traditions. Her media books and CDs include Oil For The Lamp: 7 Virtues of Human Character Development, Hiphop H.A.I.K.U. Vol 1 and 2, Rough Ground, and she is currently producing an online video series focused on the study of the Jataka Tales of early Buddhism. Sister Sharifa serves on the Board of CLBSJ and the Philadelphia Buddhist Association. See full bio at https://clbsj.org/about/leadership/sr-sharifa-vernice-meytung/

Rev. Dr. Eric A. Thomas

Rev. Dr. Eric A. Thomas is an Assistant Professor of Bible at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church and pastor at Siloam Presbyterian Church in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. His research interests include Queer biblical interpretation, Diasporic Studies and Homiletics. His research explores the potential for queer people of color to engage with scriptural texts to articulate and embody their own modes of flourishing. Eric is a graduate of Drew University where he completed the Ph.D. in New Testament with concentrations in Africana, and Women and Gender Studies, and the Interdenominational Theological Center where he completed his M.Div. See Full Bio at https://clbsj.org/about/leadership/eric-a-thomas/

Sherly Fabre

A Haitian-American immigrant who grew up Catholic and converted to Islam, Sherly is a seasoned grassroots activist who builds capacity at local, national and international levels. She is a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation National Committee and UN Representative for the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. She is also a member of the Community of Living Traditions, and has served on the boards of the Truth Telling Project and Proyecto Faro. She has also volunteered with CLBSJ’s library team on the Muslim Peace Collection.

Warren Cooper

A jazz musician and artistic entrepreneur from Philadelphia, Warren is the founding host and producer of WRTI’s gospel music program, Ovations, and the Executive Producer of Music Media Ministry, a multi-media production company focused on the manufacturing and trafficking of positive art that nurtures the movement for justice and peace. He is a member of the Community of Living Traditions and an Ordained Ruling Elder and Minister of Music in the Presbyterian Church USA. He works with CLBSJ as a media consultant.

Angela Parker

Dr. Angela N. Parker is assistant professor of New Testament and Greek at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University. She received her B.A. in religion and philosophy from Shaw University, her M.T.S. from Duke Divinity School and her Ph.D. in Bible, culture, and hermeneutics (New Testament focus) from Chicago Theological Seminary. She teaches courses in New Testament, Greek Exegesis, the Gospel of Mark, the Corinthians Correspondence, the Gospel of John, and Womanist and Feminist Hermeneutics unto preaching. Read full bio at https://theology.mercer.edu/faculty-and-staff/parker/

Carolyn Grice

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Grice is a retired teacher, veteran union leader, community activist and Presbyterian leader in Omaha, Nebraska. She serves as chair of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley’s Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee, and the Self Development of People Committee. She also serves on the Mission and Evangelism Committee and presbytery’s Leadership Team. Carolyn earned her M-Div from University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, her D-Ed from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and certificates in Community Organizing and Public Theology from the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary.

Amy Dalton

Amy has been active in peace and justice organizing since age 13. She holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary with a research focus in faith-based community organizing. She serves on the Board of Proyecto Faro, and on the Research Team of the Ambazonia Prisoners of Conscience Support Network. Amy is the Executive Director of CLBSJ. See full bio at https://clbsj.org/about/leadership/amy-dalton/