HISTORY...NOW MORE THAN EVER!
THE WOMAN
& THE WHY
As a lifelong member of the AME Church, a third-generation AME pastor, and a millennial preacher and scholar from southern Mississippi, I am deeply rooted in our rich heritage. My father and my mother, a devoted member of the Women's Missionary Society (WMS), instilled in me a profound appreciation for our faith and history. I have a passionate desire to ensure that our history remains a living, dynamic part of our church, inspiring the very rhythm of who we are called to be in these times.
I want to be Historiographer because I believe wholeheartedly in the power of our stories and the collective story of our church. These narratives maintain a deep and abiding presence, defining us as living histories that embody the courage and resilience of Richard Allen, Jarena Lee, Henry McNeal Turner, and so many others. It is our story, it is our song, praising our Savior all day long. It is our story, it is our song, a tool for a greater hope in God and a brighter future.
FAITH
I will uphold our commitment to cultivating historical consciousness through education, storytelling, and intergenerational conversations. This is teaching through our story, not just about our story.
CULTURE
I will expand the A.M.E. Review to a digital platform and establishing initiatives that nurture and equip the next wave of storytellers and researchers.
COLLABORATION
I will preserve our stories, stay engaged in ongoing research, and highlight dedicated scholars to magnify our historical impact and promote a culture of critical analysis.
Actively seeking and securing external funding and grants will be a priority, particularly in supporting global historical acquisitions and storing archival materials and research within the Department.
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- Dr. Cynthia P. McDonald