Rev. Dr. Maisha I. Handy
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Rev. Dr. Maisha I. Handy is an administrator, academician, pastor, and activist committed to education, justice, and liberation. She began her higher education journey at Lincoln University (MO), receiving a Bachelor of Science in Criminology/Criminal Justice (1989). After relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, she received the Master of Divinity degree with honors from Candler School of Theology, Emory University (1994) and the Ph.D. degree in Religion (Theology & Personality) from Emory University (2002) — the first African American woman to receive the degree from the department.
In July 2024, Dr. Handy was named President of McCormick Theological Seminary as the institution’s first African American president and second female leader.
Most recently, Dr. Handy served as the Interim President and Professor of Religion and Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has been employed for 24 years. She is the first woman to serve as Interim President in the institution's history. Dr. Handy also served two terms as Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs/Provost (2015-2021 & 2023) at ITC.
During her tenure as faculty at the ITC, Dr. Handy served as the Black Women in Church and Society Womanist Scholar (2006-2007). She is the author of “Fighting the Matrix: Toward a Womanist Pedagogy for the Black Church” in The Journal of the Interdenominational Theological Center and co-author of “Getting Real” in Keep It Real: Working with Today’s Black Youth. Dr. Handy founded the Holla If You Hear Me! hip hop forum, a series that stemmed from the Hip Hop Origins, Religion and Education course she established at the ITC. The forum engaged the hip-hop generation, the church, and the academy in community dialogue. She continues her work as a womanist scholar/practitioner committed to the unique HBCU experience of theological education.
Dr. Handy is the founding pastor of Rize Community Church in Atlanta, Ga., where she has served for 11 years. Rize is a worshiping community of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Dr. Handy was licensed (1991) and ordained (1994) to the gospel ministry at First Baptist Congregational Church of Chicago (Baptist/UCC) and ordained by transfer as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church. She also has over 16 years of experience as a minister of music and worship arts. Known as “Pastor K” or “Umi K,” she is a minister and theologian dedicated to pastoral mentoring and prophetic preaching. Rize’s Leadership Team continues to work together to develop a growing and thriving church community that strives to bring healing and transformation to the world through liberating Christian theologies and spiritual practices.