R3 Contributor: Nikia Smith Robert

Rev. Nikia Smith Robert enthusiastically embraces her divine purpose to preach, teach and engage in social activism. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems and Finance from Fairfield University (Connecticut). Rev. Robert pursued graduate studies at Union Theological Seminary and obtained a Master of Divinity degree in Systematic Theology and Social Ethics. Rev. Robert completed her master thesis entitled, “Penitence, Plantation and the Penitentiary – A Liberation Theology for Lockdown America.” She has matriculated post-graduate studies in Homiletics at the University of Oxford (England, UK) and Economic and Community Development at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA). Rev. Robert is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy degree at Claremont University where her scholarly interest focuses on race, religion and punishment.

Rev. Robert is an ordained Itinerant Elder in African Methodism. She is also a Chaplain at Huntington Memorial Hospital where she provides emotional and spiritual support to individuals in crisis. Rev. Robert currently serves on the ministerial staf at First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Pasadena, California. Previously, she served as Associate Minister at the historic First AME Church: Bethel in Harlem, NY. As Associate Minister, Rev. Robert significantly impacted membership growth and participation through preaching, programming and planting ministries to grow disciples. She has lectured nationally on topics integrating biblical themes with social justice. Rev. Robert is a sought after ecumenical preacher and budding activist. She is listed as an ethical leader to watch by the Middle Project and was featured by NPR, Sojourners Magazine, Post Colonial Networks and the inaugural United Kingdom Festival Tour of African American Preaching.

Rev. Robert’s ministry is catapulted by the prophetic mandate to do justice, love kindly and walk humbly. In addition to working more than ten years on Wall Street in Public Accounting and Investment Banking, she has worked with non profit organizations committed to justice. Moreover, she has served on the Board of Directors for Casa de Esperanza, which supports women and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and on the Board of Directors for Friends of CPE, which raises funds for educational endeavors to support a public elementary school in Harlem. Currently, Rev. Robert serves as an advisor for the Community Outreach committee to the Board of Directors for the AIDS Service Center.

Rev. Robert is the founder of Reverend Daughter Ministries where she provides faith-based social justice models through radical preaching, teaching and social activism to empower individuals to engage social transformation. She is also the founder of Kin-dom Consulting, which provides financial and advisory services to individuals and not-for-profit organizations.

Rev. Robert is a native New Yorker and currently resides in California with her loving husband, daughter, and son. She can be found on here on Facebook.