Kimberly Ridley is a native of Portsmouth, VA and matriculated through their public school system. She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. She selected Hampton University for her undergraduate studies and received a degree in Accounting and later earned a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. In May 2018, she graduated from United Theological Seminary earning her Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) degree. Her dissertation and final project focused on making a positive impact by achieving team leadership alignment for sustainable ministry.
Dr. Ridley was licensed, ordained, and served in full time ministry at the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. She is honored to be in the esteemed group of Engle fellows after being selected for the Engle Fellowship of Preaching at Princeton School of Theology in Princeton, New Jersey. She is the founding pastor and visionary of The Light Community Church in Richmond, VA, which is called THE LIGHT.
She is called by God to be a kingdom visionary and authentic encourager. She is passionate about creating strategic, sacred space for gatherings that promote kingdom connections. She is the Chief Visionary Officer for Divine Shine LLC, which hosts the Sistah’s Keeper Clergy Conference.
She is also the Founding Executive Director of the Association of African American Clergy Women (AAACW). A published author, her book of spiritual revelation concepts is called: A Little R and R: Extraordinary Revelations from God in the Middle of Ordinary Life. She often shares her “Ridley Revelations” on Social media as an encouragement for others and is on the Ministry Advisory Council for the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Richmond. In January 2020, she became a part of the Advisory Council of The Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership.
Dr. Ridley shares her life and ministry with her family in Richmond, VA. She is a passionate preacher, revivalist, panelist, conference teacher and workshop facilitator who strives to make God’s word relevant to the real world.