A thinking woman of faith embodying radical love and revolutionary justice in the church, classroom
and global community

Are you ready for the Journey? Let's educate, enliven, and empower communities together with liberative faith and transformative action!


Womanist Ethicist
A public thinker and scholar who takes seriously the moral formation of Black women and marginalized populations at the center of her research

Millennial Preacher
A millennial Black woman of faith whose identities inform her truth-telling, wisdom-bearing, and embodied-prophetic witness in the pulpit and beyond

Intellectual Activist
A justice seeker talkin’ the talk and walkin’ the walk toward social transformation in word and deed


Learn More

Blog: The Gospel According to...
January 22, 2019

Now Is The Time! Remembering Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rev. Melanie’s piece written for the Seminary of the Southwest Sowing Holy Questions Blog What happens to a […]
September 14, 2018

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN OF SOUL!

Rev Melanie joins womanist and Black feminist thinkers and activists on The Feminist Wire to write eulogies for our Queen […]
May 9, 2017

We Who Believe, We Keep Coming

Exactly one month before Sandra Bland’s death, I got a call to preach a Women’s Day Luncheon at […]

  • Reverend Brian Blount, Ph.D.
    “Rev. Jones is an exciting addition to the faculty of Union Presbyterian Seminary...her impact in and upon the academic community of theological ethics is already widely apparent. In her teaching, scholarship, and direction of the Katie Geneva Cannon Center For Womanist Leadership, she brings sharp theological insight and an engaging ethical perspective. She will be a great resource for our seminary as we strive to be a witness to and for the church in the world.”
    Reverend Brian Blount, Ph.D.
    Former President at Union Presbyterian Seminary
  • Reverend Lisa L. Thompson, Ph.D.
    "Melanie C. Jones is an exceptionally gifted and anointed preacher. Her preaching ministry is the synergistic meeting of intellectual timbres and pastoral sensibilities. It is clear that her labor is one of love, conviction, and accountability. She inspires my hope in the possibility of pulpits being spaces that espouse the sacred reverberations of integrity and freedom.”
    Reverend Lisa L. Thompson, Ph.D.
    Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Black Homiletics and Liturgics & Associate Professor of Black Homiletics and Liturgics
  • Reverend Damien Durr
    "Ever since I met Rev. Melanie Jones she has demonstrated an unapologetic curiosity and tenacity for seeking and speaking the liberative truth found not only in the gospel but also in the various written and living texts that shape, give life to and strengthen the souls, minds and bodies of black folk. From the classroom to the community to the computer screen with a fierce imagination and serious commitment towards the blending of head, heart and hand. Rev. Jones has distinguished herself not only as an innovative womanist voice but also as a millennial visionary erecting platform for serious and salvific explorations of race, class, gender, faith and culture."
    Reverend Damien Durr
    Author of Journey to Greatness
  • Giselé M. Casanova, Ph.D,
    “Melanie is a dynamic millennial ‘servant leader’ who is passionate about empowering women and girls to recognize and achieve their full potential. She is a published scholar and an engaging communicator. Melanie’s compassion for the improvement of the human condition fuels her commitment in her service to all mankind.”
    Giselé M. Casanova, Ph.D,
    Leading Clinical Psychologist and 28th Central Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
  • Reverend Teresa Smallwood, J.D./Ph.D.
    “Melanie Chanté Jones is an exceptional Millennial Womanist whose wisdom reaches into the ancestral depths. Her scholarly insight, keen sense of spiritual direction, superb intelligence, analytical prowess, and genuine sisterly approach practically ushered me into my vocation as a public theologian. Melanie's willingness to share her talents, her expertise, her social media acumen and most importantly her considerable influence reflect the immense grounding she has meticulously honed through meaningful nurture from the elders. I am indeed blessed to call her my sister/friend. My destiny is tied to her purpose.”
    Reverend Teresa Smallwood, J.D./Ph.D.
    James Franklin Kelly and Hope Eyster Kelly Associate Professor of Public Theology at United Lutheran Seminary
  • Reverend Alice W. Hunt, Ph.D.
    “In my twenty years in theological education, I have witnessed the development of many excellent students who become fine scholars, teachers, preachers, ministers, and activists. But rarely do I see students who demonstrate excellence in all of these areas as Melanie C. Jones does. She distinguishes herself as a powerful public theologian who has already made, and will continue to make, a positive mark on our world by leading us in thinking and action. Stay tuned for more to come from Melanie Jones.”
    Reverend Alice W. Hunt, Ph.D.
    Former Executive Director of the American Academy of Religion

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