The Center for the Church and the Black Experience (CBE) is committed to training seminarians and pastors to be pastoral, priestly, and prophetic “leaders of leaders.”
CBE offers the seminary and the broader community opportunities for understanding Christian faith via interracial and cross-cultural perspectives. It also seeks to facilitate greater understanding of religious leadership dynamics, organizational change, and public outreach and witness of Black churches in relation to the broader religious and social context.
Black faculty members and other scholars operating through CBE provide research, mentoring, and training via classroom teaching, publishing, seminars, workshops, and consultation to churches, community agencies, and the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary community.
Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount is the Murray H. Leiffer associate professor of formation, leadership and culture and director of CBE. His research and writings have centered on adolescent and young adult identity formation, African American identity formation, and Christian education and Strategic Leadership in the Black Church.
Founded in 2022, in partnership with Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church, the Junius B. Dotson Institute for Music and Worship in the Black Church and Beyond, a one-of-a-kind global Institute that provides training in the sacred musics of Africana church traditions and beyond for musicians and worship leaders.
Garrett-Evangelical Black Seminarians sponsors programs, worship services, and other activities that affirm and encourage appreciation for Black customs, culture, and religious traditions. Membership is open to African Americans and international students from Africa and the Caribbean
Incoming AME, AMEZ, and CME students are eligible for the Pan-Methodist Fellows program. The program offers opportunities to gather in community with other Pan-Methodist fellows and faculty, and the ability to network with Garrett’s Pan-Methodist alums.
The Maceo D. Pembroke Learning Resource Room located on the 1st floor of Garrett’s Main Building is a dedicated study, renewal, small group, and resource space for students, faculty, and staff.
I bring a decidedly intercultural voice and a teaching style that helps students question their answers to arrive at even deeper questions, and a collaborative style that ensures students learn to share their intellectual gifts and thus live of a life of service.
Rev. Dr. Esther E. Acolatse
Professor of Pastoral Theology and World Christianity
Whether doing theological work in the church, leadership in organizations, or in the academy, theology is a constructive, creative practice that requires us to continually speak in new ways about the beauty and fragmentation present in the world.
Dr. Brian Bantum
Neal F. and Ila A. Fisher Professor of Theology
This is such an exciting era to study the Old Testament because traditional approaches are now accompanied by newer ones. As a result of these newer approaches, innovative questions are being introduced to the field.
Rev. Dr. Cheryl Anderson
Professor of Old Testament
Preaching occurs in the context of worship and offers us an opportunity to experience God’s presence not only in the words of scripture, but also through the people’s encounter with the divine presence in the context of their lives.
Rev. Dr. Gennifer Brooks
Ernest and Bernice Styberg Professor of Preaching
Director, Styberg Preaching Institute
I believe the purpose of Christian education is to be emancipatory, to set people free to be children of God and co-creators with God.
Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount
Murray H. Leiffer Associate Professor of Formation, Leadership, and Culture
Director, Garrett-Evanston CDF Freedom Schools Program
The Center for the Church and the Black Experience was first conceived by Black students: Gessel Berry, B. Herbert Martin, Jonathan Keaton, and Ervin Smith in the late 1960’s. Through the collaborative efforts and vision of these students and former faculty member, Bishop Edsel Ammons, CBE began operating in the fall of 1970. The first director of CBE was Dr. Hycel B. Taylor, hired in 1970.
Bishop Edsel Ammons
CBE Founding Faculty Member, G-ETS Faculty
1960s-70s
Dr. Hycel B. Taylor
First CBE Director
1970s
Dr. Carl H. Marbury
G-ETS Academic Dean
Late 1970s
Dr. Philip A. Harley
CBE Director
Late 1970s
Dr. Larry Murphy
CBE Director
Early 1990s
Dr. Linda Thomas
CBE Director
Late 1990s
Dr. Jeffrey L. Tribble, Sr.
CBE Director
Early 2000s
Dr. Reginald Blount
CBE Interim Director
Mid-2000s
Dr. R. Drew Smith
CBE Director
2009-2012
Dr. Angela Cowser
CBE Director
2012-2018
Dr. Taurean Webb
CBE Director
2019-2022
CBE alums who have received Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary’s Distinguished Alum Award include:
In 2017, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary recognized 45 Outstanding Black Alums in honor of the Center for the Church and the Black Experience’s 45th Anniversary. These alums were nominated by their fellow alums, peers, and the administration. Each of the 45 have engaged in ministries that make an impact and we encourage you to read more about each of our alums.
Join us in making certain that future generations of “leaders of leaders” benefit from CBE’s work by financially supporting our efforts. Be sure to designate your gift to the “Center for the Church and the Black Experience.”
