Dr. Marla Frederick, the first black woman to serve as Dean of Harvard Divinity School, kicks off Black History Month at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday, Feb. 5.
Frederick, a leading ethnographer and scholar focused on the African American religious experience, will address the campus and local community during an afternoon presentation at the Student Services Center Theatre from 12 to 1 p.m.
“UMES has long been a gathering place for trailblazers, thought leaders, and history makers—individuals who engage our campus community in meaningful dialogue and bold ideas,” UMES President Heidi M. Anderson said. “We are honored to welcome Dr. Frederick to our hallowed institution and look forward to a powerful and inspiring conversation.”
Frederick, who became the 18th Dean of Harvard Divinity School in 2024, also serves as a professor of Religion and Culture and African American Studies at Harvard.
Prior to becoming Dean of Harvard Divinity School, Frederick served as the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Religion and Culture at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She also previously served on the faculty at Harvard in the Department of African American studies.
She is the author or co-author of four books, including Colored Television: American Religion Gone Global and Between Sundays: Black Women and Everyday Struggles of Faith. As general editor, she is currently curating, alongside five co-editors, an encyclopedia of the histories of historically Black colleges and universities.
Dr. Frederick earned her BA from Spelman College and her Ph.D. at Duke University.
