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The Rev. Dr. Marcia Ledford’s ministry focuses on Southwest Detroit’s Latinx population — located at an international port with an aggressive regional ICE director. Dr. Ledford is a civil rights attorney representing society’s most marginalized. She has dedicated her working life to the pursuit of justice because when one group of persons is diminished, we are all thus diminished.

An Episcopal priest, Dr. Ledford studied theology at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. While there, she engaged in urban studies for ministry and explored theologies of the marginalized from around the world. Dr. Ledford holds a Master of Divinity from the (Episcopal) Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP). She earned her Doctor of Ministry in political theology from the Pacific School of Religion (PSR). Both CDSP and PSR are member schools of the Graduate Theological Union, a preeminent global and interfaith consortium for theological study.

In college, she majored in American History and Psychology at Albion College. These academic concentrations prepared her for exploring and understanding the psychographic nature of American history and how skin color dictates the American social agenda.

Dr. Ledford earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit School of Law, a Jesuit school. She adopted a foundation of Christian faith in legal jurisprudence plus the standard curriculum. Her ministry incorporates Catholic Social Teaching (CST) as its cornerstone. CST’s Gospel emphasis protects every human being’s dignity and works toward the common good to usher in God’s Reign. The Episcopal Baptismal Covenant reflects the same emphasis. It requires the faithful to uphold the dignity of personhood and serves as the foundation for Dr. Ledford’s teaching of political theology basics in her courses.

Dr. Ledford’s first career as a civil rights attorney concentrated on cases involving the First Amendment and Equal Protection under the Fourteenth Amendment. Her mission combines her love of the Gospel with expertise in the US Constitution to help others exercise their civil rights to establish a more just American society.

Political Theology Matters, LLC, founded by Dr. Ledford, helps the faithful develop public theology mission and broadcast messaging for greater social justice. She is trained for community organizing through the Industrial Areas Foundation and volunteers with Michigan United, where she has a particular interest in racial reconciliation and immigration reform.

Dr. Ledford is an award-winning documentary photographer, writer, blogger, keynote speaker, teacher, and preacher. She convenes the Public Theology Network for Province V (the Midwest) of the Episcopal Church.