Biography

Dr. Barbara Annette Fears is Assistant Professor of Religious Education at Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C. She teaches courses in the history, philosophy and practice of ministry. Dr. Fears identifies as a womanist practical theologian, a critical race theorist (CRT) and a critical pedagogue. Her research focuses on matters of power, privilege and accountability in faith formation, praxis of faith and curriculum development. Recent works include a book review on Critical Race Theory in Education, an entry for Dr. Mary Boys in the Database of Christian Educators of the 20th Century, and article, Race, Disability and COVID-19: A DisCrit Analysis of Theological Education.Since joining the faculty, Dr. Fears has participated in the Howard University Junior Faculty Summer Writing and Creative Works Academy and in the Workshop for Early Career Theological School Faculty sponsored by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion. In addition, she has presented papers at annual meetings of the Society of Race, Ethnicity and Religion, the Religious Education Association and the Mid-Atlantic Regional American Academy of Religion.Dr. Fears previously worked in bio-behavioral studies with Midwest Research Institute, in documentation and training with AT&T and Lucent Technologies and in environmental, social and governance (ESG) advocacy with Wespath Investment Management formerly The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church. She has a Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies in Theology and Ethics, Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Education and Congregational Studies and a Preaching Award from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She is an Adrienne M. and Charles Shelby Rooks Fellowship recipient from and ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ. Dr. Fears has worked with the prison ministry of her Chicago church and currently serves as a chaplain for a local hospice agency.