Announcing the C. Eric Lincoln Fellow: Kaiya Jennings

Kaiya Jennings’ project, “On the Shoulders of Our Sisters,” promises to explore the intersection of theology and art with urgent creativity and pastoral sensitivity. In this project, through a combination of mediums, Jennings plans to document and celebrate the current ministry of Black women in local churches. She aims to “capture the oral narratives of several African American female pastors in the Commonwealth of Virginia, both through film and photography.”  

Kaiya Jennings is currently a Doctorate of Ministry student at Duke Divinity School, working under advisor Dr. David Goatley. Jennings has been licensed to serve as a Baptist pastor for eight years, and served as an ordained Baptist pastor for the past two years. Currently she serves as an adjunct professor and  “Faith and Service Coordinator” at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia.

Raised in eastern Virginia, Jennings has been shaped indelibly by pastors from her community, pastors who are Black women. Jennings speaks with conviction about the need to illuminate their pastoral leadership, their skillful ministry, and their community care, which often unfolds in unseen spaces. “There are countless faithful African American women in Virginia, who have been called and affirmed to pastor churches or to lead as staff pastors and community liaisons, even though they face much opposition due to race, gender, and sexuality…This work will depict how matters such as race, gender and sexuality have played vital roles in not only the ministry of these women but also in their faith. Each testimonial will be structured around how they lead the people within their care and how they show up in their congregations.” 

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In a competitive group of applicants, Jennings' proposal continually rose to the top due to its theological depth and insistent relevance. Duke Chapel is considering an April presentation, both digitally and in-person, within the sanctuary, following all Duke Compact regulations.

Jennings says, “It is my desire that through this display, people will be able to see themselves in the stories and work of these Black clergywomen in such a way that it challenges their faith and grows their loves for all humanity…that it will show the broken pieces of organized religion, and yet offer a hope that the labor that is needed, to make all sacred space [into a] safe space, can be done on this side of the everlasting.”