Faculty

Contact

[email protected]
3041 Broadway
New York, NY 10027

Education

D.Min. Candidate, Virginia Union University-Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology
M.SW., Columbia University
M.Div., Union Theological Seminary
B.S., Penn State University

BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in East New York, Brooklyn, Onleilove Alston brings over 13 years of community organizing and advocacy experience, along with more than 17 years in the non-profit sector. She has led numerous community campaigns across New York City, Washington, DC, Baltimore, and West Africa.

Currently, Onleilove teaches The African Perspective on the Abrahamic Religions in the MPS program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility through Union Theological Seminary. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University School of Social Work, where she instructs courses on Decolonizing Social Work Practice and Spirituality, Religion, and Social Work. Additionally, she teaches Criminal Justice and Corrections at Hope International University, Organizing Congregations for Change at The Voices School of Liberation and Transformation, and courses in the General Education Social Justice Program at Southern New Hampshire University. She has also guest lectured at various institutions, including CUNY City College, NYACK College, and Dartmouth College.

Onleilove holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a minor in African American Studies from Penn State University. After completing a year of service with AmeriCorps Public Allies New York, she went on to earn dual Master’s degrees in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and Social Work from Columbia University in 2011. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, where her research focuses on African-Jewish communities and their impact on the cultural self-esteem of African American Christians.

Her scholarly work is reflected in her book, Prophetic Whirlwind: Uncovering the Black Biblical Destiny, which examines African and African American Jewish communities, justice, and communal healing. The book stands as the only work by an African American woman to explore Jewish communities in Africa, based on extensive travel and research, including visits to West Africa. Her research interests also span topics such as colorism and its role in the criminalization of Black women and girls, African and African American Jewish concepts of justice, and faith-based community organizing. Onleilove is also involved in reconciliation efforts between African and African diaspora communities.

Inspired by Willie Baptist and other leaders of The Kairos Center (formerly The Poverty Initiative), where she worked as a Poverty Scholar, Onleilove has been a leader in faith-based social justice campaigns. She has been recognized for her contributions as the youngest member of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Clergy Advisory Council and has served on Mayor Eric Adams’ Faith Transition Committee. Additionally, she has testified before the United Nations on issues related to mass incarceration’s impact on Black women and girls.

Her work has been published in Sojourners Magazine, HuffPost Religion, and NPR’s On Being, among others. She has presented at conferences such as CCDA, The Sojourners Summit, and The Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference. Outside of her academic and organizing efforts, Professor Alston is passionate about African traditional fashion and runs Chika’s Closet, a business that promotes Pan-African women’s economic empowerment.

CV/Publications