My Story

Rev. Dr. Kelly U. Farrow is known in her community as Preacher, Educator, Lecturer, Mentor, Social Justice Advocate, Political Voice, and Businesswoman. Dr. Farrow’s interdisciplinary womanist ethic is engaged with all things 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 MBA, she graduated with her Masters in Divinity with a concentration in Theology & Apologetics.  Rev. Dr. Kelly has her Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration and has completed two Certificate programs. One from The Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Certificate of Homiletics from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and is now a certified preaching instructor.

Dr. Farrow is blazing a trail in her own way 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 workshops on various subjects from business to theology. Some of her invitations include renowned institutions and conferences, such as Progressive Baptist of New Jersey, Baptist Ministers Conference of N.Y. and Greater Vicinity, A.M.E. Church Growth Conference, Yale Divinity School, Morehouse College, Academy of Preachers, and The Hampton University Ministers Conference.

In 2018, Dr. Farrow created and inaugurated Circle of SacredFire⭕️, which is a preaching intensive designed to prepare women of color in ministry in the area of preaching. The “Alpha Circle” gathered a diverse population of 20 women to focus on #theCircle⭕️’s three fundamental principles: Preaching through the Black Church Context, Preaching with a Womanist Ethic, and Preacher as Person leadership development. Circle Nation expanded in 2021 to inaugurate two NEW Circles. For the 1st time PhoeniX⭕️ Circle gathered women and men together to develop the prowess necessary to soar to the next level of ministry and, welcomed the #Brotherhood in the Fall of 2021 with sacred safe space Just for Men called Genesis⭕️ Circle!

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. 

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.  In addition, she served as Chief of Staff to the Women of Color in Ministry Project, and Mentor in the NYC Cohort of the Rise Together National Mentoring Network.

A new season has shifted Dr. Farrow further into her work of building black community, mentoring, and educating preachers. Dr. Farrow now serves as a cohort facilitator for The Ministry Collaborative and teaches homiletics and womanism to the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility women earning their MPS degrees through New York Theological Seminary. Dr. Farrow is the first preacher and womanist scholar to bring womanism from the academy into the lived experiences of incarcerated women! Dr. Farrow’s work takes her further and deeper into empowering the black community nationwide. One of the ways this is taking shape is her partnership with other clergy and academic institutions to curate “Flourish…” which is a Preaching Conference for women of color in ministry that centers on Wholehearted Preaching, Healing, Transformation, and Liberation!

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.

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.

The Kelly U. Farrow Institute for Black Preaching and Education is preparing women and men for the ministries in which God has called us. Keep watch in the coming year for the next move of God in this organization. The best is yet to be revealed!