Kimberly D. Russaw is the Associate Professor of Old Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA where she blends intellectual rigor with an infectious passion for teaching. To prepare for this ministry, she earned the Master of Divinity degree (Biblical Studies) from the Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta, GA), and the Master of Arts degree (Hebrew Bible) from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN). When Russaw completed her Ph.D. in Religion at Vanderbilt University, she joined a select cadre of African American scholars who passionately teach the next generation of Christian leaders at our seminaries, colleges, and universities. Russaw is the author of Daughters in the Hebrew Bible (Fortress Academic, 2018) and Revisiting Rahab: Another Look at the Woman of Jericho (Wesley's Foundery Books, 2021).). Dr. Russaw has written several articles and essays such as “Veils and Lapcloths: The Great Cover Up of Bynum, the Bible, and Black Churches,” “Wisdom in the Garden: The Woman of Genesis 3 and Alice Walker’s Sofia,” and “Undaunted: Reading Miriam for the Sisters They Tried to Erase”. Additionally, she has contributed to online spaces such as OnScripture, Church Anew, Huffington Post Religion, and The Christian Recorder on topics such as the Bible and popular culture.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, she is an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Samaria Divine holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Religion with a focus on the Hebrew Bible. At FTE, she directs FTE’s doctoral initiatives and oversees efforts to create an engaged community of diverse scholars and supports doctoral students in completing their programs. Her own experiences applying to and navigating doctoral studies ignited her passion for assisting other upcoming underrepresented and underserved scholars in their academic pursuits. She holds a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University.

Marissa Akery is FTE's community engagement manager who serves the Doctoral initiatives as well as the Co-CREATE and Discernment Lab initiatives. Previously, she served as the Next Generation Pastor at Impact Church, providing leadership, care, and development for the leaders who serve infants to young adults. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and received her Master of Divinity from Emory Candler School of Theology. Marissa has been recognized by Church Women United as an Outstanding Young Woman in Ministry and as a Woman of Courage by St. John AME Church. She is passionate about promoting individuals' spiritual and personal growth while ensuring that they are surrounded by an authentic, loving, and supportive community.