Welcoming Bishop Vashti McKenzie

Bishop Vashti McKenzie was the first female elected to office in the history of the AME Church. She is currently President/General Secretary of the National Council of Churches where she provides executive leadership to 37 denominations, 100,000 churches and 30 million people. She was appointed by President Obama to the White House Commission of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and named one of the 50 Most Powerful Religious Leaders in the World by Huffington Post.

Characterized as “an electrifying preacher,” Bishop McKenzie preaches and teaches globally on women, leadership, and other social justice issues.

The program will also feature the MLK Community Choir and presentation of the 2025 MLK Humanitarian Awards by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard.