RASHAD RAYMOND MOORE, PHD
PASTOR | PREACHER | PHILOSOPHER
About Rashad
PASTOR | PREACHER | PHILOSOPHER
Rev. Rashad Raymond Moore, PhD is a pastor, philosopher, and preacher dedicated to unveiling and repositioning the role of tradition and ritual in historically Black institutions through prophetic disruption. With the soul of the African American people as a connecting point in each of his vocations, Dr. Moore focuses his imaginative insight in the educational and ministry setting to create a lasting impact. Dr. Moore holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity in Social Ethics from Union Theological Seminary– where he attended on a full-tuition scholarship and received the George Andover Taylor Award, and a Master of Philosophy and Ph.D. in Philosophy and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. While at Morehouse College, Dr. Moore served as the president of the Martin Luther King International Chapel Assistant for two years and was named the 2012 King Scholar. His work has been published by the Huffington Post, the Latin American Philosophy of Education Society, and Harvard Education Press.
In his dissertation titled, My Soul’s Been Anchored:Tradition and Disruptive Imagining in Historically Black Education, Dr. Moore delves further into the transformative power of tradition and ritual in dismantling the chains of anti-blackness within educational systems, sparking imaginations and inspiring hope for a brighter future.
Raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Dr. Moore's foundation in a community imbued with enduring love, education, and prophetic ministry has profoundly influenced his life and vocation. Since 2019, Reverend Moore has led the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a 70-year-old Black congregation celebrated for its diverse and intergenerational richness and significant role in the community. Under his stewardship, the church has flourished, combining traditional values with progressive visions, particularly during the challenging times of the pandemic. He previously served as an Assistant Minister at The Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem under the mentorship of the late Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III.
Apart from his pastoral duties, Dr. Moore is a passionate scholar. He has served on the teaching staff at Teachers College, Columbia University, on courses in American and Africana Philosophies of Education, and is a frequent lecturer across colleges in New York City. Dr. Moore is always on the go, channeling his commitment to Black Liberation through his roles in the pulpit, classroom, and community.
In addition to his pastoral and academic roles, Dr. Moore actively contributes to various boards and organizations, including Sheltering Arms Children and Family Services, Inc., the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) Leadership Council and Faith Initiative, the Shawn Carter Foundation, and the Morehouse NYC Alumni Association. His commitment to justice extends to advocacy for affordable housing with East Brooklyn Congregations in New York City. Dr. Moore has recently been inducted into the Board of Preachers at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College and the Chionesu Bakari Program for Young Men has honored him as a Man of Distinction and Excellence.