Angelique Walker-Smith facts for kids

Angelique Walker-Smith (born in 1958) is an American Baptist minister. She is also a leader who works to unite different Christian churches. This effort is called ecumenism. In September 2022, she was chosen as a president of the World Council of Churches. She represents the North America region in this important role. She is an ordained minister in the National Baptist Convention, USA. Since 2014, she has worked for Bread for the World. This organization helps fight hunger. Before that, she led the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis for 19 years.

The Journey of Angelique Walker-Smith

Angelique Walker was born in 1958 in Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents were Roosevelt and Geneva Walker. Her father was also an ordained minister. Walker-Smith studied telecommunications at Kent State University. She then earned a master's degree in divinity from Stanford Seminary in 1983.

Later, she earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. She was the first African American woman to achieve this degree from that school. She became an ordained minister in the National Baptist Convention, USA. She started her career as an associate pastor.

Leading Community Organizations

For 19 years, Walker-Smith was the executive director of the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis. She was the fifth person to lead this group. She was also the first woman and first African American to hold this position. During her time there, she focused on helping with money issues. She also worked on projects to bring about racial fairness.

She served in this role until 2014. Then, she joined Bread for the World. She became their associate for national African American church engagement. This means she helps connect African American churches with the organization's mission.

Global Church Leadership

Walker-Smith has been very active in bringing churches together. She was a representative for the Baptist Convention USA. She worked with the National Council of Churches of Christ. She was also elected to the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) three times.

In 2013, Walker-Smith was invited to special events in Washington, D.C. These events celebrated 50 years since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. She even attended a private meeting at the White House. Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were there.

In August 2022, the 11th WCC Assembly took place in Germany. At this meeting, she was elected as a president for the WCC. She now represents the North American region.

Fighting for Fairness

Walker-Smith has also worked hard against racism. She says her family taught her "Christian Pan African values" from a young age. These values focus on the unity and strength of people of African descent. She is part of a group that helps prepare for the United Nations Permanent Forum of People of African Descent. This forum discusses issues important to people of African descent worldwide.

Her Family Life

Walker-Smith is married to R. Drew Smith. He is also a Baptist minister and a professor. They met at church and studied together at Yale Divinity School. Smith is now a professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He teaches about urban ministries.

Special Recognitions

In February 2022, Walker-Smith received the Figel Ecumenism Award. The Washington Theological Consortium gives out this award. It honors people who do great work in bringing different churches together.