In-person
For Alumni
For Students
General Audience
The Jill Raitt Lecture celebrates the life and witness of Dr. Jill Raitt, the first woman tenured at Duke Divinity School in 1977. Since 2009, the annual lecture has celebrated women who are making a transformative impact on the theologies and practices of the church.
Rev. Joanne Browne Jennings, director of Black church studies at Yale Divinity School, is the guest speaker for the 2026 Jill Raitt Worship and Lecture. Rev. Jennings will preach during worship in Goodson Chapel from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and offer the afternoon lecture in Westbrook 0016 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Rev. Joanne Browne Jennings
Director of Black Church Studies, Yale Divinity School
The Rev. Joanne Browne Jennings is an accomplished scholar and counselor with a strong background in social work and service to clergy and congregations. She is currently a lecturer in clinical pastoral education for YDS and Andover Newton and a therapist in private practice. Rev. Jennings has a Master of Social Work degree (University of North Carolina), an M.Div. (Fuller Theological Seminary), a Bachelor of Law degree (Inns of Court School of Law, U.K.), and a Bachelor of Science degree (University of Toronto).
Among other accomplishments over her varied and impressive career, Rev. Jennings has developed a unique counseling practice with a special focus on pastors. She has also been a consultant and lecturer for a wide variety of organizations and educational institutions, including Duke Divinity School, the Durham County Department of Social Services, and numerous churches. In addition, she regularly taught courses at Duke. Under her leadership, the YDS Black Church Studies program will develop as a home for students who are interested in ministerial careers with predominantly black churches—a key part of YDS’s ongoing effort to expand service to all churches within an ecumenical framework.