156. God is a Black Woman with Dr. Christena Cleveland

In this episode, Dr. Christina Cleveland discusses her journey towards understanding the Divine Feminine through the lens of the Black Madonna. She explores the intersections of race, gender, and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the sacredness in all individuals, particularly in marginalized communities. The conversation delves into the challenges of confronting white supremacy and patriarchy within religious spaces, the transformative power of embracing a Black female deity, and the vital role of allyship in fostering justice and healing. Dr. Cleveland's insights encourage listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and actions, ultimately advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate understanding of the divine.Dr. Cleveland's BioChristena Cleveland, Ph.D. is a social psychologist, public theologian, author, and activist. A weaver of Black liberation and the Divine Feminine, Dr. Cleveland embraces the archetype of the Black Madonna as she guides people of all races and genders into freedom, wholeness, and embodied justice. Her latest book is God Is a Black Woman which details her 400-mile walking pilgrimage across central France in search of ancient Black Madonna statues, and examines the relationship among race, gender, and cultural perceptions of the Divine. In addition to nurturing a virtual, global Black Madonna community, Christena is currently working on her fourth full-length book in which she is exploring the miraculous, liberating, and zany ways that the Black Madonna has protected, empowered, and nourished people around the globe and throughout history. An award-winning researcher and former professor at Duke University’s Divinity School, Christena lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can discover more about the Black Madonna and Christena at www.christenacleveland.comKeywordsBlack Madonna, Divine Feminine, racial justice, spirituality, allyship, sacredness, intersectionality, healing, patriarchy, community