Biography
Early Life
Karen Jackson-Weaver is a distinguished minister, historian, and religious scholar. Her work focuses on religion, ethics, and political affairs. She was born and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia. Her early life was influenced by her mother, Lillie. She was also influenced by her grandparents. They are Bernard and Martha Jennings Ford. She grew up in a family that prioritized education and community service. Karen was encouraged to value knowledge and civic responsibility. Her mother faced challenges growing up in segregated Virginia. She also faced systemic racial discrimination. She instilled in her children the importance of education, work, and equity.
Dr. Jackson-Weaver’s academic journey began at Princeton University. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree in American History. She focused on documenting black history and leadership. This led her to Harvard University. There she obtained her Master’s Degree. She later earned her Ph.D. in American History. She focused on black women’s leadership in the civil rights movement. Her dissertation was about the contributions of Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, and Septima Clark. She completed postdoctoral work at Princeton Theological Seminary as an Engle Scholar.
Religious Faith & Activism
Dr. Jackson-Weaver has held important roles in government and academia. She is dedicated to social justice and education reform. From 2005 to 2007, she was the inaugural Executive Director of the New Jersey Amistad Commission. During this time she worked under three governors. She ensured that African American history was included in the state educational curriculum. She also founded the Amistad Summer Institute at Drew University. Her work has been featured in major media outlets. These include CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.
Dr. Jackson-Weaver is a Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is also Chair of the Student Life Committee. She is a licensed minister in the American Baptist Churches of America. She has over two decades of experience in ministry. Most recently, she served as the Associate Regional Director of New Church Development. This is part of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ). There she oversaw pastoral leaders. They formed a state-wide learning community. It focused on pastoral well-being and spiritual health. It also focused on vitality and innovation in ministry. She was the former Co-Chair of the Theology of Martin Luther King Jr. Group. This study group is in the American Academy of Religion. She was the Founding Convener of Freedom Summer 2020. Its theme was Making Black Lives Matter-Race, Religion, and Voting Rights in America.
Dr. Jackson-Weaver has over two decades of experience on a global scale. She has served as a Visiting Scholar/Dean-in-Residence at the Blavatnik School of Government. It is part of Oxford University. She held significant roles at Princeton University and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She was an Academic Dean at Princeton’s Graduate School. At Princeton, she was the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Diversity. She increased recruitment and retention rates for underrepresented groups. Her leadership was recognized with the Donald Griffin ’23 Award. She also received the Dr. Martin Luther King Journey Award. Dr. Jackson-Weaver’s academic contributions are extensive. She served as the Series Editor for the Teaching Religious Studies Series. It was produced by Oxford University Press and the American Academy of Religion.
Currently, Dr. Jackson-Weaver is a Vice President at NYU. She promotes inclusion, diversity, and faculty advancement across the university’s global network. She has enhanced faculty mentoring and research collaboration. She has also enhanced it professional development. She has overseen major university-wide initiatives. These have fostered partnerships with government, educational, and corporate entities.
Dr. Jackson-Weaver has received numerous awards and fellowships for her research, teaching, and mentoring. She has been a Fellow at Columbia University. She taught at the Institute for Research in African American Studies. She was a Visiting Scholar at the King Center Library and Archives. She continues to participate in the Princeton Theological Seminary Board of Trustees. Her leadership in the American Academy of Religion underscores her influence in religious and ethical scholarship.
She is affectionately known as “Dean Weaver – The Dream Weaver” by her students. Dr. Jackson-Weaver is renowned for her commitment to helping students achieve their dreams. She has mentored countless students, faculty, and administrators through top-ranked programs and professional growth. Her work bridges the gap between historical scholarship and current issues in social justice. She is a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring power of black women’s leadership.
