The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational graduate school of theology and one of very few resources for black church scholarship and faith-based solutions to the spiritual and socio-economic challenges confronting the African American community in the world. The Office of Black Women in Church and Society (BWCS) of the Interdenominational Theological Center is organized to encourage and facilitate the inclusion and full participation of women in the life and work of the church and the larger society.

The role of Black women in ministry has implications beyond the context of individual women. The African American church has been, and is still, a primary source for leadership and leadership development in the African American community. The presence of Black women in leadership positions strengthens the capacity of the African American church to develop future female leaders across careers and disciplines. However, young girls and women are not encouraged to pursue careers in ministry, much less positions of leadership in religious vocation. The Black Women in Ministerial Leadership Program presents to Black women in ministry a unique opportunity to comprehensively address and transcend factors that perpetuate inequity in ministry, while promoting Black women ministers as efficacious leaders. The BWML hopes to increase the rates of retention, as well as the levels of ascension of women in ministry. The BWML Website will connect developing women pastors/ministers and women in religious and academic training, with seasoned pastors/ministers, academicians, and civic and community leaders. It will support women’s efforts to function more effectively in positions of leadership through feedback and education on navigating leadership turbulence. The goal of this website project is to sustain an efficacious online community of Black Women in Ministerial Leadership producing church practices, sharing research, and community services that construct and model race and gender equity.