Shonda nicole gladden

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I notice, name, and nurture good everywhere.

I am a philosophical theologian/scholar practitioner, who is both an innovative and creative visionary who conceptualizes, assesses and develops content and copy to effectively market ideas. I am an empathetic and active listener with a high ability to help individuals and organizations think strategically and act decisively.

I work as an independent researcher and consultant for research projects, many of which have been funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. and other philanthropic foundations, through various institutions including Princeton Theological Seminary, Columbia University, Vibrant Faith and The Forum for Theological Exploration.

I help people find their way to good; more specifically, I help high capacity, emerging adults, who have experienced social, economic, or other marginalization due to gender, sexual identity, economic status, trauma or other life event that has resulted in real or perceived diminished esteem, altered capacity and/or acquiescence to mediocrity, as well as the organizations who serve, support or otherwise engage this demographic.

I have earned four degrees, including a B.A. in Philosophy from Morgan State University, and both an M.Div. and an M.T.S. from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. In May 2022 I participated in commencement exercises in progression towards completion of the American Studies PhD Program at Indiana University (IUPUI).

I have taught courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level in the areas of Philosophy, Church History and Systematic Theology at various institutions including Morgan State University and Wesley Theological Seminary.

I maintain a relationship with the American Academy of Religion, where I have presented papers and led round-table sessions,

and I am a past co-convener of the Women's Caucus.

I am the current Indiana State Coordinator of NASPA Region IV-E.

I am a proud member of the Chi Chi Omega Chapter of
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

As a classically trained vocalist I studied with
the late Dr. Nathan M. Carter, performing on some of the world’s most renown concert stages, including Carnegie Hall

under the baton of the late Robert Shaw in commemoration of

Marian Anderson’s 100th Birthday.

I am occasionally invited to communicate the cultural stories of sun-kissed people through artistic renderings of spirituals, stories, and poems.

I am an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and have served as lead pastor of three churches in Indiana. I currently serve as the Senior Associate Pastor at Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN.

I serve my community through active participation on the Board of Directors for

Faith in Indiana, The District Theatre,

African American Legacy Fund of Indianapolis (AALFI),

and as a former Tri-Chair of the

Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival in Indiana.