My Story

In her community, Rev. Dr. Kelly U. Farrow is known as a Preacher, Educator, Lecturer, Mentor, Social Justice Advocate, Political Voice, and Businesswoman. Dr. Farrow's interdisciplinary womanist ethic is engaged with Business and Theology. As a womanist theologian, she eloquently bridges theological conversation with best practices in business ethics, organizational leadership, and ministry development.

Rev. Dr. Kelly finished her Bachelor of Science degree as a dual major in Business & Bible and then went on to pursue her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management. After completing her M.B.A., she graduated with her Masters in Divinity with a concentration in Theology and Apologetics. Rev. Dr. Kelly has her Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration and has completed two certificate programs. One is from The Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary, and she holds a Certificate of Homiletics from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and is now a certified preaching instructor.

In her transparent, and authentic way Dr. Farrow is blazing a trail as a "Nouveau Legend" (New Legend). Not only is she a dynamic social entrepreneur, but Dr. Farrow is also a sought-after theologian and scholar invited to give sermon talkbacks, preach, lecture, and lead bible studies and workshops on various subjects from business to theology. Some of her invitations include renowned institutions, organizations, and conferences, such as Yale Divinity School, Morehouse College, A.M.E. Church Growth Conference, The Ministry Collaborative, Selah Leadership Encounters with Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Progressive Baptist of New Jersey, Baptist Ministers Conference of N.Y. and Greater Vicinity, The Hampton University Ministers Conference and Spellman College!

In 2018, Dr. Farrow created and inaugurated Circle of SacredFire⭕️, the premiere Black Preaching Intensive of our time designed to prepare women of color in ministry and men. The "Alpha Circle⭕️" gathered a diverse population of 20 women to focus on #theCircle⭕️'s three fundamental pillars: Preaching through the Black Church Context, Preaching with a Womanist Ethic, and Preacher as Person leadership development.

In 2019, Dr. Farrow created The Kelly U. Farrow Institute for Black Preaching and Education. “The K. Institute” will continue in the tradition of educating clergy and lay leadership in the steep history of black preaching, justice, and leadership with a vision that includes: “Candid Conversations” Podcasts that centers on transparent social justice conversation, and leadership development. 

In 2024, The Kelly U. Farrow Institute for Black Preaching and Education, "The K. Institute," which houses Circle of SacredFire⭕ turned seven years old. "The K. Institute" continues in the tradition of educating clergy and lay leadership in the steep history of black preaching, social justice, and leadership development with a vision that includes two podcast: "Candid Conversations”, which centers transparent social justice conversation and leadership development, and Flourish Preaching Conference podcast" centering conversations that Heal, Transforms, and Liberates with some of the most brilliant minds in black preaching!

In 2025, Dr. Kelly is partnering with leaders in the field of mental health and wellness to develop effective self-care, and mental health paradigms for black clergy with the introduction of Wellness Circle⭕.

Dr. Farrow has served in several areas within the Black church context as Minister of Discipleship at Double Love Experience Church, in Brooklyn and Associate Minister at Convent Ave. Baptist Church, in Harlem.  A new season has shifted Dr. Farrow further into her work of building black community, developing womanist ethics, mentoring, and educating preachers. Dr. Farrow serves as a cohort facilitator for The Ministry Collaborative gathering diverse women in the Houston area for a two-year immersion experience focusing on “Sacred Play Practices” that curate Joy & Gratitude!  She also teaches homiletics and womanism at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for women earning their MPS degrees through Union Theological Seminary. Dr. Farrow is the first preacher and womanist scholar to bring womanism from the academy into the lived experiences of incarcerated black women within the curriculum at Bedford Hills. Dr. Farrow also serves on the board of Womanist at the Inkwell hosted by the Black Religious Scholars group under the leadership of Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas.  Womanist Inkwell hosts an annual womanist gathering in Oak Bluff, Martha’s Vineyard where Womanisim lays at the intersection of the Academy and the Church!

Dr. Farrow’s work of empowering black women and community reaches nationwide with collaborative partnerships with McAfee School of Theology, in Atlanta, GA with the curation of McAfee Circle⭕. Which is a curated sacred safe space for women of color on the campus; and with Hampton University and the Lilly Foundation to curate “Flourish…Preaching Conference” that centers wholehearted preaching that Heals, Transforms and Liberates, with her Sister Clergy! #theCircle⭕ has several community and academic Circles⭕ across the U.S. One is coming soon to a city near you!

Dr. Farrow has also received the honor and distinction of being inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi, Alpha Delta Epsilon Chapter of the International Honor Society in Education. The National Scholars Honor Society for academic excellence and was the recipient of the Young Outstanding Women of America Award.

“Dr. Farrow is a woman changing the landscape of Black Church, the aca and Black Preaching!

For more on Dr. Farrow work, projects, and ministries you can connect with her on YouTube at the K. Institute for Black Preaching and Education, www.DrKellyFarrow.org, and on her socials, Instagram, and Facebook @ ImtheFirewithin.