Beverly Wallace

  • Ph.D., Family Social Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
  • M.Div., Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
  • M.Ed., Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
  • BSW, Adelphia University

Beverly Wallace joined Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary as director of the Center for Lifelong Learning in December 2023. Wallace is a trained chaplain and marriage and family therapist, with research focusing on grief and loss.

Prior to joining LTSS, Wallace was an associate professor of congregation and community care at Luther Seminary in Minnesota. She also served part-time at Virginia Theological Seminary for their Lilly Endowment grant “Thriving in Ministry” as the project’s co-director, training coaches to mentor Episcopal priests. Wallace designed the ELCA’s Womanist Initiative to provide opportunities for learning in Womanist theology for seminarians, laypersons and clergy with an expansive vision to work with college-aged students, introducing them to understandings and experiences of global African perspectives.

Wallace is a member of the steering committee of the Lutheran Association of Teaching Theologians as well as on the board of Lutheran Women in Theology and Religious Studies. She is also an active member of the Conference of International Black Lutherans, a member of the Society for the Study of Black Religion and a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Wallace considers herself a “womanist” and so embraces the wholeness of all people – both men and women. She has a passion for engaging in healing work with God’s people.

Her new project “Ela Viveu” working with women scholars in Portugal and Brazil incorporates her Womanist vision. Wallace has authored several articles and book chapters including: “Hush No More: Constructing an African American Lutheran Womanist Ethic” and “The Slay Factor” recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the ordination of African American Lutheran Women. Wallace and is also a contributor to “Luther’s Small Catechism with African Descent Reflections” and is the co-author of the book, “African American Grief.”