In her groundbreaking work on womanist preaching, Kimberly P Johnson reveals how the unique experiences of African American women, marginalized by both gender and race, but strong and hopeful in their vision of what might be, leads to discourse that can “liberate oppressed people through a social justice discourse.” Womanist theory grounds Johnson’s discussion of womanist preaching as a rhetorical genre, thus informing future discussions of womanist rhetoric more generally. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in African American studies, women’s studies as well as rhetoric and social change.

Sandra J. Sarkela, The University of Memphis

The Womanist Preacher: Proclaiming Womanist Rhetoric from the Pulpit breaks new ground while providing evolving homiletical strategies and lively rhetorical examples. Particularly noteworthy is Kimberly Johnson’s invitation to liberated-minded preachers to move African American women from ecclesiastical margins to the sermon's integral center.

Katie G. Cannon, Union Presbyterian Seminary

With an unusual clarity and keen scholarly insight, Kimberly Johnson makes a major contribution to the understanding of the powerful Womanist preaching tradition of African American preaching. A book like this is long overdue and by the quality of her work, Kim Johnson proves that she is a young scholar to be watched and read.

Frank A. Thomas, Christian Theological Seminary