Leadership

Rev. Dr. Kimberlee (K-lee) Johnson is an educator, administrator, Jesus-lover, preacher, justice advocate, and clergy leader whose love for God and humanity have fueled a lifetime of service in academic, church, and community settings.

She is the of Dean of Palmer Theological Seminary and College at Eastern University—the first African-American woman to serve in this role. For more than 28 years, she has served in higher education settings in numerous capacities—professor, department chair, administrator. Dr. Johnson has given vision and leadership as Program Director of the BA and MA in Urban Studies, Coordinator of Service Learning and Campus Ministries, Coordinator of the Urban Immersion Program, Director of Student Leadership and Formation, and Associate Professor of Urban and Interdisciplinary Studies.  She has taught in Eastern's high school, undergraduate, and graduate programs. Most recently she founded the Prison Education Program which serves incarcerated men, and directs the Center for Community Engagement.

As a woman in ministry who has overcome many obstacles, she now supports the personal, spiritual, and professional formation of women in ministry through the nonprofit religious organization she founded and leads called the Fellowship of Women Clergy. This important work is made possible with the assistance of a dedicated advisory team.

Dr. J. follows Jesus and was the first woman ordained at Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church (American Baptist Churches USA) where she served in numerous leadership capacities including filling in for the pastor during his prolonged absence due to illness. She has decades of ministry experience spanning across various socioeconomic, cultural, national, and denominational contexts. She’s always had a heart for youth, youth ministry, and outreach. 

Dr. J. has been an advocate, activist, and commentator at the local and national levels on matters of faith, youth justice, and criminal justice reform. She serves/has served as a policy leader for the Christian Community Development Association’s (CCDA) Locked in Solidarity initiative, a member of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, a volunteer with the Philadelphia Bail Fund, and was a long-time advocate for children in the carceral system.  She’s also a certified Inside-Out Prison Exchange Instructor. She’s served as a board member for faith based organizations such as Bridge of Hope National (a ministry to homeless moms) and Christians for Social Action, and is part of the national leadership network of Red Letter Christians. She is also assistant-editor of the Journal of Urban Mission.

Dr. J. has several seminary degrees and is constantly learning in the school of life. She is also an avid urban gardener and is devoted to her family. She approaches whatever work God has assigned to her hands with passion and prayer.

kjohnson@fellowshipofwomenclergy.org