WASHINGTON — Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD) has appointed Rev. Tarsha W. Banister, D.Min., as Executive Director of Wisdom Keepers, Hope Seekers (WKHS), a $10 million initiative funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. that unites seven historically Black theological institutions (HBTIs) in a first-of-its-kind collaborative to prepare and sustain pastoral leaders for Christian congregations. 

Banister brings 20 years of experience leading federally funded initiatives that strengthen public systems and improve community outcomes, with depth in grant management, cross-sector partnership development, and large-scale program implementation. She joins WKHS from the Faith COMPASS Center at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, whereas Faith & Health Education Director she advises executive leadership, healthcare systems, and faith communities on grant-funded programming in public health preparedness and equity. Earlier, as Medical Program Director at the Old North State Medical Society, she built North Carolina's inaugural HIV & Faith Ambassador Cohort, uniting physicians, public health professionals, and faith leaders around culturally responsive programming. 

“My vision for Wisdom Keepers, Hope Seekers is to build a strong and sustainable network among historically Black theological institutions — one that honors their legacy while preparing them to meet the evolving needs of students, churches, and communities,” Banister said. “I hope to translate the initiative’s vision into meaningful action by strengthening institutional capacity, expanding access to theological education, supporting student success, and creating opportunities for collaborative learning, scholarship, and leadership development.” 

She sees the role extending beyond administering the grant. “Through this work, I intend to further Howard University School of Divinity’s role as a national leader and convener in Black theological education,” she said. “I hope to cultivate lasting partnerships, develop sustainable systems, and help equip students, clergy, and faculty to lead faithfully and effectively within the communities they serve. Ultimately, I want Wisdom Keepers, Hope Seekers to become a model of what is possible when historically Black theological institutions combine their wisdom, resources, and collective hope to shape the future.” 

Dean Kenyatta R. Gilbert said Banister's combination of scholarly grounding and pastoral experience makes her well suited to lead the collaborative. “Dr. Banister’s blend of scholarly rigor and pastoral wisdom makes her uniquely suited to lead WKHS at this pivotal moment,” Gilbert said. “Her commitment to the sustainability of Black theological education, and her deep fluency in HBTI and denominational contexts, will strengthen this alliance and the leaders it serves.” 

Banister holds a Doctor of Ministry from Duke Divinity School, a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity, a Master of Science in Early Childhood Studies and Adult Education from Walden University, and a Bachelor of Science from North Carolina Central University. In her new role, she will oversee day-to-day leadership of the seven-institution alliance, translating its strategic pathways into measurable outcomes for students, clergy, faculty, and the congregations they serve. 

About Wisdom Keepers, Hope Seekers 

Wisdom Keepers, Hope Seekers takes its name from the intergenerational exchange at the heart of the work. “Wisdom Keepers” — established theological scholars, seasoned pastors, and denominational leaders — transfer knowledge to “Hope Seekers,” emerging pastoral leaders who carry that wisdom forward while bringing technological fluency and fresh approaches to contemporary ministry. 

The initiative unites Howard University School of Divinity with six partner HBTIs, alongside denominational partners, HBCU chapel programs, and community organizations. Rather than each institution addressing shared challenges alone, the consortium pools faculty expertise, shared technology, coordinated student pathways, and collective fundraising capacity. 

The work is grounded in Howard Thurman's vision of Beloved Community. Thurman served as founding Dean of Howard University's Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, and his theological framework of justice, reconciliation, and collaborative empowerment shaped a generation of civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. 

Why Now, and Why Howard 

Black theological education faces converging pressures. Seminary enrollment among Black students has fallen 31% since 2000, and 40% of senior Black pastors are approaching retirement without a prepared successor. Graduates carry an average of $54,000 in educational debt into pastorates paying roughly $42,000 a year, and although 93% of Black churches now operate digital platforms, only 15% of seminary curricula address digital ministry. 

The five-year, $10 million grant was awarded through Lilly Endowment's Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which supports large-scale collaborative endeavors that strengthen theological schools' capacity to prepare and support pastoral leaders. It was one of 45 grants approved in this competitive funding round; since launching the initiative in 2021, the Endowment has provided more than $700 million to 163 theological schools nationwide, including 61 developing large-scale collaborative efforts such as WKHS. 

Howard University School of Divinity was selected to lead the collaborative as the only HBTI connected to an R1 research university — a designation Howard earned in February 2025 as the first and only HBCU to hold it. That distinction, combined with HUSD's 155-plus-year legacy in Black theological education and its Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, positioned the school to anchor and convene the effort. 

Anticipated Impact 

Over the five-year grant period, the initiative aims to enroll more than 500 students and emerging leaders in a new faith leadership pipeline, train more than 300 pastors and congregational leaders in digital ministry, and equip 500 practicing pastors with wellness, financial literacy, and organizational leadership resources. A $6.67 million shared endowment across the seven HBTIs is expected to reduce student debt and expand access to theological education, while efforts to revitalize more than 300 congregations and grow enrollment across participating institutions by 30% aim to reverse decades of decline. Denominational partners represented in the collaborative collectively reach more than 20 million African American Christians. 

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About Wisdom Keepers, Hope Seekers 

Wisdom Keepers, Hope Seekers is a five-year, $10 million initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment as part of its Pathways for Tomorrow program. Led by Howard University School of Divinity in partnership with six other historically Black theological institutions, the initiative addresses pastoral succession, financial sustainability, digital ministry preparation, and holistic leadership development through Howard Thurman's Beloved Community framework. 

About Howard University School of Divinity 

Established in 1870, Howard University School of Divinity prepares justice-centered faith leaders with theological depth, pastoral skill, and prophetic vision, guided by its commitment to Divinity Forward — advancing excellence in Black theological education through stewardship, shared governance, and transparent communication. 

About Howard University 

Howard University, established in 1867, is a leading private research university based in Washington, D.C. Howard’s 14 schools and colleges offer 140 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs and lead the nation in producing African Americans with professional doctoral degrees. Howard is the top-ranked historically Black college or university according to Forbes, the only HBCU with an R1 research institution designation, and the only HBCU ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 National Universities. Renowned for its esteemed faculty, high achieving students, and commitment to excellence, leadership, truth and service, Howard produces distinguished alumni across all sectors, which have included the first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice and the first woman U.S. vice president; a Nobel Prize laureate; Schwarzman, Marshall, Rhodes and Truman Scholars; prestigious fellows; and over 170 Fulbright recipients. Learn more at www.howard.edu. 

About Lilly Endowment Inc. 

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. A principal aim of the Endowment's religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities.