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Dr. Charisse L. Gillett
First Lady
East Second Street Christian Church
Dr.
Gillett holds both an undergraduate (social work) and graduate degree
(education) from the University of
Northern Iowa and an educational specialist
degree from Northern Illinois University. She holds an earned doctorate,
Ed.D. with a concentration in higher education administration from
Northern Illinois University.
She is a member of the African-American Clergy Leadership Development
Committee, the General Board and Administrative Committee of the Christian
Church (Disciples
of Christ), and the Strategic Planning Committee for Lexington Theological
Seminary. Dr. Gillett is currently serving a two-year term (2004-2006)
as the secretary
to the Board of Trustees for the National Convocation. Moreover, she is serving
from 2003-2005 as the moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
in the United States and Canada. She is the youngest person and first African-American
woman to do so. As moderator she presides at sessions of the Administrative
Committee, General Board, and during the 2005 Portland General Assembly.
Dr. Gillett is passionate about developing avenues that help young people discover
their gifts and talents. She encourages young people to “see themselves
as they are” not as the world sees them. Thus, she is a strong supporter
of education, training, and volunteerism. “I truly believe that children,
given the proper love, guidance, and TLC can become anything their hearts desire.
I believe that I can, we can do anything through Christ who gives us strength.”
Dr. Gillett is the program director of the Lilly Project at Transylvania University
for the Theological Exploration of Vocation. Prior to accepting this position,
she served as the director of student financial aid at Midway College and the
associate dean of students at Robert Morris College in Chicago. She has been
the featured speaker at regional assemblies, women’s day events, and on
higher education Sunday.
She is married to Rev. Donald K. Gillett II, the Senior Pastor of East Second
Street Christian Church. They have one son, Jeremy, and a beautiful granddaughter
Jayda LaShaye.
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Gillett |