Leah C.K. Lewis, J.D., M.Div., D.Min
Education
Doctor of Ministry 2018
Ashland Theological Seminary, The McCreary Center for Black Church Studies
Cleveland, Ohio
Dissertation: A PROJECT TO DISCOVER THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND ACTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SINGLES REGARDING SEXUAL MORALITY AT OLIVET INSTITUTIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH, CLEVELAND, OHIO. Defense passed on March 9, 2018.
M.Div. Yale University School of Divinity 2005
New Haven, Connecticut
YDS Admissions Committee 2005
Rev. John G. Magee Fellow, Dwight Hall at Yale:
The Center for Public Service and Social Justice 2003-2005
The Rev. and Mrs. Allen C. Blume Scholarship Recipient 2004-2005
Jessie Ball DuPont Scholarship Recipient 2003-2004
Travel Seminar to Ghana, West Africa 2004
Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education 2003
Chicago, Illinois
J.D. Howard University School of Law 1995
Washington, D.C.
Fats Waller Award for Excellence in Entertainment Law 1995
Managing Editor, Howard Law Journal 1994-1995
Member, Howard Law Journal 1993-1995
Merit Scholarship 1993-1994
J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association Scholarship 1993-1994
B.S.Ed. Bowling Green State University, Sport Management 1987
Bowling Green, Ohio
Dean’s List Sum. 1987
Beaumont School 1983
Cleveland Heights, OH
Tri-C Film Intensive with the Greater Cleveland Film Commission Jan. 2020
Sundance Film Institute Co//ab
Documentary Filmmaking: Prepping and Production (Level 1) Nov. 2019
Feature Film Screenwriting Course: Core Elements April 2019
Cleveland State University, Leadership 2013-2014
Academy XXIII
Cleveland, Ohio
Art Institute of California-San Francisco 2009-2010
(Online Courses via Art Institute-Pittsburgh)
Animation and Media Arts program
Emory University, Graduate Division of Religion 2005-2009
Graduate Studies
Atlanta, Georgia
Program: Person, Community and Religious Life
Concentration: Practices and Practical Theology
Co-Facilitator Fall 2008
TATTO – Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity
Emory University Graduate School of Arts & Science
Atlanta, Georgia
Research Affiliate Summer 2007
Trinity Theological Seminary
Talitha Qumi, The Center for Women in the Study of
Religion and Culture
Legon, Ghana, West Africa
Research Affiliate Summer 2006
South American Theological Seminary
Londrina, Parana, Brazil
Professional Experience
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Director December 2017 –Present
Little Lumpy’s (Nonprofit) Center for Educational Initiative: Learning Literacy & Technology
Founder & Executive Producer
Great Lakes African American Writers Conference
Founder, CEO & Chief Creative Officer December 2014 –Present
Three Butterflies Entertainment & Press LLC
Adjunct Faculty August 2017 – Dec. 2018
Cuyahoga Community College, Metro and Eastern Campuses Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts
Freelance Writer Dec. 2014 – Dec. 2015
ForHarriett.com
Councilwoman August 2013 – Dec. 2015
Village of Highland Hills, OH Unanimously appointed to fill a vacated seat through 2013 Retained by Election, November 5, 2013
Producer, “An Evening with Michelle Alexander” October 25, 2012
On behalf of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in partnership with Case Western Reserve University’s Office of Inclusion, Diversity &
Equal Opportunity and the Social Justice Institute, and the Cleveland Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program.
Community Organizer April 2011 – Feb. 2012
Greater Cleveland Congregations (An Industrial Area Foundation (IAF) affiliate) Cleveland, Ohio
Producer, “An Evening with The Freedom Riders” September 30, 2011
On behalf of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in partnership with Case Western Reserve University’s Office of Inclusion, Diversity &
Equal Opportunity and the Social Justice Institute, Facing History and Ourselves and WVIZ-PBS/Ideastream
http://www.ideastream.org/programs/freedomriders
Collaborator, “Out of Many, One” 10th Anniversary September 11, 2011
Commemoration of 9/11, an Interfaith Celebration
Adjunct Faculty Fall 2007
African American Studies Department Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
Residential Advisor and Faculty Summer 2005
S.C.H.O.L.A.R Program Office of Yale and New Haven Affairs New Haven, Connecticut
Assistant Vice President 1998-2002
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (formerly Republic National Bank of New York) Global Trading Documentation New York, New York
Negotiator 1996-1998
ING Baring Financial Services, Inc. Global Documentation Unit New York, New York
Legislative Assistant 1988-1992
Big Eight Athletic Conference Kansas City, Missouri
Assistant Coordinator 1987-1988
Women’s Sports Foundation New York, New York
Ministry Experience
Great Lakes Regional Conference Spiritual Advisor July 2017 – Dec. 2017
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Chaplain January 2012 – Dec. 2016
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Omega Chapter
Sabbatical Pastor March – May 2016
First Congregational Church Wolfeboro UCC (NH)
Supply Preacher and Ministerial Consultant May 2014 – August2015
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Cleveland, Ohio
Associate Minister and Minister for Community Engagement May 2003- June 2013
Olivet Institutional Baptist Church
Cleveland, Ohio
Ordained – November 13, 2006
Ordination Recognized (Granted Standing) by the American Baptist
Churches, USA – March 8, 2010
Specialized Roles:
•Congregational Core Team Leader for Greater Cleveland Congregations, an Industrial Areas Foundation affiliate (October 2010 – September 2012)
•Otis Moss, Jr., Christian Academy Educator
•The Jewishness of Jesus, Spring 2013
•The Secrets to Love that Last, Fall 2012
•Love & Sexuality from God’s Perspective, Spring 2012
•Family Relationships Matter, Fall 2011
•Understanding Stewardship and Its Rewards, Spring 2011
•Singles: Living Life in Christ, Fall 2010
•The Messages of Old Testament Prophet, Jeremiah, Spring 2010
•Ministerial Leader, Singles’ Fellowship (2009 – 2013)
•Ministerial Leader, Sustainable Manna: A Ministry for Environmental and Human Health (2012 – 2013)
Assistant Pastor for Community Engagement – March 5, 2012 – June 10, 2013
Liaison with:
•Organizing for America – OH
•Children’s Defense Fund
•Ohio Prophetic Voices – a statewide coalition of ministers committed to social justice
•Fairfax Development Corporation
•Office of Mayor Frank Jackson (City of Cleveland)
•Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center
•Cuyahoga County Board of Election
•Kol HaLev (Jewish) Congregation
•Cleveland Foodbank
•Key Bank
•TechCorp
Publications
Leah C.K. Lewis, “Op-Ed: Against Public Worship in the Age of Coronavirus”, clevescene.com, April 8, 2020.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “We’re Doomed If We Cannot Support Our Black and Brown Geniuses”, ForHarriet.com, September 25, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “Dear White Man, I Don’t Need You to Explain Diversity to Me”, Forharriet.Com,September 17, 2015.
Leah C. K. Lewis, “U.S. Presidential Candidates Must Earn the Black Vote, Not Expect It“ ForHarriet.com, Aug. 17, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “Why We’re Critiquing the Outrage About Cecil the Lion In the Era Of #BlackLivesMatter”, ForHarriet.com, Aug.1, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “All Hands on Deck: We All Have a Role in the Movement for Black Lives”,ForHarriet.com, Aug. 3, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “All Hail Queens Serena and Venus: Celebrating the Williams Sisters’ Legacies”, ForHarriet.Com, July, 17, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “We Have to Dismantle White Supremacy Before We Can Forgive”, ForHarriet.com, July 8. 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “Ciara Should Be the Only Person Talking About Her Sex Life“, ForHarriet.com, July 2, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “The Hypocrisy of U.S. Christianity in the Era of Open Season on Black Lives“, ForHarriet.com, June 18, 2015.
Leah C. K. Lewis, “A Case Of Emergency: How 911 Became a Weapon Used Against Black Folks“, ForHarriet.com, June 15, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “You Mad?: How Dr. Saida Grundy Busted Open the Myth of White Supremacy“, ForHarriet.com, May 13, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “Police Body Cameras Will Not End Systemic Racism and Police Brutality”, ForHarriet.com, April 29, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “Tamir Rice Reminds Us of How America Has Always (De)Valued Black Lives”,ForHarriet.com, Mar. 5, 2015.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “The Demon Within: Black Men, Brilliance, and Diabolical Personalities”, ForHarriet.com, Dec. 28, 2014.
Leah C.K. Lewis, Guest Columnist, “Leaders Have a Duty to be Compassionate and Caring: Messages of Faith,” The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Nov. 9, 2012.
Leah C.K. Lewis, Guest Columnist, “Inequity Among Children: Not God’s Doing: Messages of Faith,” The Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 6, 2012.
Leah C.K. Lewis, Guest Columnist, “Protest: Where Justice and Obedience Intersect: Messages of Faith, “The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Feb. 17, 2012.
Leah C.K. Lewis, “Like Mother, Like Daughter: Prophetic Principles from the Motherline — A Sermon,” in Source Points: African
American Mother-Daughter Leadership Transmission, ed. Toni Denton King and S. Alease Ferguson (SUNY University Press June 2011).
Leah Carol Lewis, “Review of Victor Anderson’s Creative Exchange: A Constructive Theology of the African American Religious Experience“ Emory University’s Practical Matters: A Transdisciplinary Multimedia Journal of Religious Practices and Practical Theology, Iss. 1, Spring 2009
Leah Carol Lewis, Guest Lectionary Commentator, “Jesus and Economic Justice Sunday,” Lection Scripture – St. Luke 18:18-27 The African American Lectionary (http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupLectionaryReading.asp LRID=21) Year One, April 13, 2008.
Leah Lewis, Guest Lectionary Commentator, “Belonging and Restoring,” Out in Scripture Project (http://www.hrc.org/scripture/), Easter Day, Year A, March 23, 2008.
Leah Lewis, Guest Lectionary Commentator, “Palm Sunday – Inspiring Thanks and Resistance,” Out in Scripture Project (http://www.hrc.org/scripture/), 6th Sunday in Lent, Palm – Passion Sunday, Year A, March 16, 2008.
L. Carol Lewis, “Shouting Down the Yoke” in Wilderness Whispers & Soul Shouts: Meditations from Ebenezer Members (Lenten Devotional),Warnock, Raphael G. and Selina A. Smith. (ed.). Atlanta: Ebenezer Baptist Church Publication, 2007.
Leah Carol Lewis, “Book Review of James Earl Massey’s Stewards of the Story,” The African American Pulpit, Spring 2007 Issue.
Leah Carol Lewis, “Liturgy, Lining Up, and Easy Access,” The African American Pulpit, Seminarian Issue Fall (2003):55.
L. Carol Lewis, Little Lumpy’s Book of Blessings (New York: Three Butterflies Entertainment & Press, Inc., 2001 (self-published).
Unpublished Manuscripts
Leah C.K. Lewis,
HUMAN STRIVING: UNDOING THE CONUNDRUM OF “RACE,” a non-fiction manuscript that
tells the multicultural story of the United States through its peoples’ legal,
religious, and political speech. This manuscript
will be the first to equip the body politic to decipher the “racially” tinged
war of words that will continue to foment across the American landscape without
the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to eliminate xenophobia and
oppression. HUMAN STRIVING provides one
such “comprehensive strategy.”
Public Speaking
Clergy Panelist, “The People v. The Maccabees” presented by Kol HaLev (Cleveland Reconstructionist Jewish Community) at Cleveland State University John Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, OH, March 27, 2017.
Clergy Panelist, “The People v. Joseph’s Brothers: A Trial,” presented by Kol HaLev (Cleveland Reconstructionist Jewish Community) at Cleveland State University John Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, OH, November 15, 2015.
Panelist, “Presidential Speech: Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address and LBJ’s ‘We Shall Overcome”, Church of the Covenant, Cleveland, OH, November 2, 2014.
Clergy Panelist, “The People v. Abraham: A Trial,” presented by Kol HaLev (Cleveland Reconstructionist Jewish Community) at Cleveland State University John Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, OH, November 16, 2013.
“Blessing,” National Black MBA Association, Inc., Cleveland Chapter, “Where are you on Your Journey to Senior Leadership? Corporate/Entrepreneur,” Cleveland, OH, August 17, 2013.
“Blessing,” Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s “Army of Believers 6th Annual Scholarship Luncheon,” Cleveland, OH, August 2, 2013.
Moderator, “Town Hall Meeting: State Senator Nina Turner, State Representative Armond Budish and State Representative Sandra Williams,” East Cleveland Public Library, East Cleveland, OH, July 29, 2013.
“Invocation and Benediction,” University Hospitals Case Medical Center 22nd Annual New Minority House Staff, Fellows & Faculty Welcome Reception & Dinner, July 27, 2013.
“Introduction and Blessing” of the Ruby Dee Mural by Kent Twitchell at the Karamu House, Cleveland, OH, July 26, 2013.
Moderator, “Town Hall Meeting: State Senator Nina Turner and State Representative Sandra Williams, Shaker Heights Community Center, Shaker Heights, OH, July 15, 2013.
“Invocation and Benediction,” Warrensville Heights Juneteenth Celebration, Warrensville Heights, OH, June 22, 2013.
Lecturer, “Race and Religion in Politics,” The Church of the Covenant, Cleveland, OH, March 10, 2013.
Clergy Moderator, “The People v. Eve: A Trial,” presented by Kol HaLev (Cleveland Reconstructionist Jewish Community) at Cleveland State University John Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, OH, November 17, 2012.
“Introduction” and Moderator, for the film The Contradictions of Fair Hope, a film by S. Epatha Merkerson, Main Library-Cleveland Public Library, Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, Cleveland, OH, September 8, 2012.
Panelist, “Going it Alone: Juvenile Waiver of Counsel,” ACLU Ohio Biennial Conference, Columbus, OH, July 28, 2012.
Lecturer, “Race and Religion in Politics,” ACLU Cleveland, OH, August 8, 2012.
“Introduction” of Eugene Robinson, author of Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America, Main Library-Cleveland Public Library, Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, Cleveland, OH, February 4, 2012.
Clergy Panelist, “The People v. King David: A Trial,” presented by Kol HaLev (Cleveland Reconstructionist Jewish Community) at Cleveland State University John Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, OH, November 12, 2011.
“Undoing the Conundrum of ‘Race,” Facilitated by Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Boulder, CO, October 17, 2011.
“Race’—What Divides Us, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Beachwood, OH October 14, 2011.
Panelist, “Women in Ministry,” Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, April 12, 2011.
“To be a Good Christian Soldier,” Prayer & Praise Breakfast, Emanuel Commandery No. 32 Knights Templar, P.H.A., Cleveland, OH, January 22, 2011.
“Count it All Joy,” Women’s Circle Retreat at United Fellowship A.M.E., Lyndhurst, OH, September 18, 2010.
“Standing in the Gap: When the Bough Breaks and the Bedrock Shifts,” UMADOP Annual Conference, Cleveland, OH, August 20, 2009.
“The Southern Tradition of White Supremacy: Destroying Black Bodies and White Minds & Souls,” Urafiki, a Conception at Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, OH, October 2005.
“LASIK Surgery for the Spiritually Vision Impaired,”(A Sermon on Isaiah 54:11-17), Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH, July 10, 2005.
Panelist, “The Contemplative Mind in College Settings,” Leader, “Contemplative Practice: Heart and Service,” Contemplative Mind in the Life of Service Symposium, Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY, April 13, 2005.
Panelist, “Theological Education and Answering the Call,” 2005 Samuel DeWitt Proctor (Pastor’s) Conference, Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Peachtree Street, Georgia, Cynthia R. Milsap, Moderator.
“Dissecting a Tri-fold Heart: The Heart of God, of Humanity, and of Our Nation,” (A Sermon on Philippians 4:7), The Riverside Baptist Church – Space for Grace, New York, New York, February 2, 2005.
“Who Do You Say That I Am? – Rise Up and Clear the Name of Christ!”(A Sermon on Matthew 16:13-17), “Preaching and the Next Great Awakening,” Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., Professor, Yale University School of Divinity, November 11, 2004.
“Two Women, Two Calls,”(A Sermon on Luke 10:38-42), The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, July 19, 2004.
“Thirteen Verses on Love,” Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH, June 27, 2004.
“The Culmination of Cultivation,”(A Sermon on Luke 12:35-48), St. Matthew’s Freewill Union Baptist Church, New Haven, CT, November 23, 2003.
“The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares,”(A Sermon on Matthew 13:24-30), Marquand Chapel, Yale University School of Divinity, Oct. 31, 2003.
“Justice, Reconciliation and Freedom: Players in the Same Game,”(A Sermon on John 8:31-36), Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH, August 31, 2003.
“A Spiritual Science: The Essence of the Civil Rights Movement & King’s ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King, Jr. – Holiday Keynote Address to the Freewill Baptist Church Conference, New Haven, CT, January 20, 2003.
Media Coverage
The Reverend Dr. Leah Lewis, J.D. at Cleveland.com
IOBY.org’s Racial Justice Toolkit, https://www.ioby.org/justice and printable PDF guide
(here’s a direct link: https://www.ioby.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ioby-rjg-3.30-FOR-WEB-compressed-1.pdf).
Lauren Sable Frieman, “She’s So Lovely,” p. 50, Cleveland
Business Connects, Dec. 2015 – Feb. 2016.
FOX 8 Morning Show to promote “Books Under
the Sun” Literacy Event and Book Signing, July 28, 2013.
Margaret Bernstein, “A family flash mob’
spotlights the importance of reading with children,” July 27, 2013, http://www.cleveland.com/bernstein/index.ssf/2013/07/a_family_flash_mob_that_spotli.html#incart_river
Sun Press Calendar of Events:
October 13-19 | cleveland.com, Oct 12, 2011 … Leah Lewis, author of the
upcoming book “Human Striving: Undoing the Conundrum of Race” will speak as
part of the Kabbalat Shabbat, http://www.cleveland.com/beachwood/index.ssf/2011/10/calendar_of_events_oct_13-19.html.
Robert L. Smith, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, “9/11 ceremony on Public Square is
multicultural event: Global Village”, Published: Sunday, September 11, 2011,
5:00 AM
Updated: Sunday, September 11, 2011, 12:23
PM, http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/09/911_ceremony_on_public_square.html.
Press Run: Pass along
childhood toys to please other girls and…
Professional Development
National Black Elected Officials – National League of Cities, Rochester, NY 2014
15th Annual Local Government Officials Conference – The State of Ohio
Office of the Auditor Dave Yost 2014
People for theAmerican Way, “Healing Grace-Shepherd’s Gathering:
A Dialogue on Stigma, Prejudice, Homophobia and the Black Church” 2013
IAF Regional Training, Drew Theological School 2011
International Animated Film Society ASIFA-Hollywood, Animation Expo 2000
Budgeting for Film and Television, NYU School of Continuing Studies 1999
Licensing University, Intl Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association 1999
Children’s Literature Conference, Hofstra University 1999
The International Toy Fair Seminar, Licensing in the New Millennium 1999
Society of Children’s Writer and Illustrator’s 1998
The European Institute of Business (INSEAD) 199
Affiliations & Memberships
United Church of Christ 2014 – Present
American Baptist Churches USA 2010 – Present
Cleveland Baptist Association (CBA) 2010 – Present
Progressive Baptist Convention 2007 – Present
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Omega Chapter 2011 – Present
Chaplain, 2013-2015
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 1986 – Present
International Animated Film Society ASIFA Hollywood 1999 – 2000
National Association of Television Program Executives 1999 – 2001
Black Women in Publishing 1999 – 2000
Women in Toys 1999 – 2000
International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association 1998 – 2001
Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators 1997 – 1999
Volunteer Activities
Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center, House 5
Bible Study, “Young Women & Wisdom: A Survey of Proverbs” 2013 – Present
Legal Aid Society of East Harlem 1995 – 1996
The Little Blue House, Washington, D.C. Boarder Babies Program 1994 – 1995
KCMO Juvenile Detention (Gillham Road) Center 1991 – 1992