“We’re being trained to think as advocates for social change”
July 2024 – An attorney, the Rev. Natisha G. Matthews T’26 was seeking to further her higher education journey with a doctoral degree that would complement her career in law.
A client and Drew Theological School student shared their positive experiences at Drew, prompting Matthews to take a look at Drew’s doctoral offering.
She discovered Drew’s Social Impact Doctor of Ministry cohort, designed to help pastors and social justice advocates critically and constructively explore various ways to fund community revitalization. “I was taken aback because the description matched the proposal in my heart from over ten years ago—it was verbatim,” said Matthews. “It was a no brainer. Social Impact was what I was looking for.”
Led by pastor-teacher practitioner the Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, Drew’s Social Impact DMin cohort pushes participants into new arenas of ministry and community engagement.
The cohort explores strategies and practical applications to address the many issues facing local congregations and non-profit organizations serving under resourced communities. Students are taught how to develop partnerships with impact investors and social entrepreneurs to collaborate with large corporations and foundations to create meaningful social impact in their communities.
“As a lawyer, I can change laws,” said Matthews. “I understand law. I can advocate for different laws and social impact, which will complement my work in law.”
The program is offered via a hybrid modality, enabling Matthews to balance her demanding law career with the doctoral program.
Matthews has commenced work on her DMin project, which surrounds her passion in economic community development. She aspires to be able to work alongside council members in the Westchester, New York, area to implement programs to benefit impoverished communities—eventually expanding this model to other areas in need. “I want to implement changing laws that would translate into programs that could help people find jobs or help children through economic community development.”
“What I love about the program is that Dr. Williams is our mentor and coach throughout the program,” she said. “He trains his students to prepare for a project that will eventually be implemented and advocated within the world. We’re being trained to think as advocates for social change.”
“If you are an advocate or an individual that wants to see social change and impact anywhere in the world—whether you are full-time clergy or a marketplace leader—this program is ideal for you,” said Matthews. “The tools you need are provided to make the change—taking you from inception to manifestation.”
