Baccalaureate Speaker

A Voice to Inspire the Class of 2026

Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart

The Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart is senior pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where she has served since 1995, making history as the first African American woman to lead an established African American Baptist congregation in Memphis and Shelby County. A nationally respected preacher, teacher, and visionary leader, she is widely known for her faith-rooted leadership, prophetic witness, and commitment to community empowerment.

Dr. Stewart is the immediate past president of the Lott Carey Foreign Missions Society, where under her leadership the organization significantly increased its financial footprint, expanded global mission partnerships, and strengthened its commitment to justice, education, and women’s empowerment. She currently serves as Chairwoman of the Religious Affairs Committee of the NAACP, as a trustee of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference and a co-convener for the Women In Ministry Conference.

She was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers and is a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, presented by President Joseph R. Biden, in recognition of her exemplary service and leadership.

A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Stewart has received numerous honors recognizing her leadership, service, and global impact. She travels nationally and internationally as a sought-after preacher and speaker, inspiring audiences with a message grounded in faith, justice, and the enduring power of sisterhood and service.

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