Reverend Dr. Lisa D. Rhodes
Executive Director, RISE Together Mentorship Network
Dr. Rhodes came to Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, after 16 years as Dean of the Chapel at Spelman College and Founding Director of the Sisters Center for WISDOM (Women in Spiritual Discernment of Ministry). While at Spelman, she mentored, counseled, and advised hundreds of undergraduate students and served as a contextual education supervisor for seminary students, at several graduate level theological intuitions in the Atlanta area. Prior to Spelman and RISE, Dr. Rhodes served as the Associate Pastor at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Rhodes received her BA in psychology from Wheeling College in Wheeling, West Virginia, a Masters of Social Work from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland, M.Div. from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and D.Min. from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. She is currently a candidate for the Th.D. at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.
Reverend Brittini L. Palmer
Communications Coordinator (Consultant), RISE Together Mentorship Network
Reverend Brittini L. Palmer is a freedom writer, preacher, and sought out communications consultant. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Journalism from Virginia Union University, a Master of Divinity from Mercer University – McAfee School of Theology, and served as a Public Theologian Fellow with the Interdenominational Theological Center (Sankofa Center), and Princeton University Black Theological Leadership Institute. Her consultation work with organizations and religious institutions has allowed her to write and think about the future of the Black Church and humanity. She also serves as the copy Editor for the Interfaith Children’s Movement, author, and writer for several religious publications.