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  4. Makeba D'Abreu

Makeba L. D'Abreu, MDIV, SPHR

Ph.D. Student, School of Education
Program Area: Urban Services Leadership

EducationMakeba Lindsay D'Abreu

  • Ph.D. in Education (December 2025), Virginia Commonwealth University
  • MDIV, New York Theological Seminary
  • B.A. in Biophysics, The Johns Hopkins University

Line of Research

My line of research is leadership career and development for higher education, nonprofit and clergy leaders belonging to underrepresented groups.

I examine leadership and career development needs in each of the 5 management (from individual contributor to C-suite) among African American women in vocational ministry and nonprofit managers in underrepresented groups, 2) building the cultural and linguistic competency of institutions to respond to the increasing number and expanding roles of diverse leaders, address equity, and engage in organizational social responsibility, and 3) building institutional capacity to provide leadership level-based development (versus the one-size-fits-all approach) for African American women and girls choosing or in vocational ministry, and 4)  how digital transformation and coaching and mentorship circles build the capacity of community leaders to serve their communities, address disparities, and develop leaders within their communities.

Research and Scholarship

  • Lindsay D’Abreu, M. (2024, February 16). Decolonizing Adult Learning Systems: A Sankofa  Literature Review of 7 Seven Black Educators (1863-1964) [Poster Presentation].at Holmes Scholars AACTE Preconference (Indianapolis, IN).

  • Lindsay D’Abreu, M. (2002) Development Needs for African American Women in Vocational Ministry presented at Holmes Scholars AACTE Preconference (Indianapolis, IN).

  • D’Abreu, M. and Cioffi, J. (2023). Administrator Feedback to Teachers at Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium Summit (Richmond, VA).

  • Frazier, R., Wilkerson, C., Cioffi, J., Simmons, P., Lindsay D'Abreu, M., Racelis, T., Simmons, A., Yancey, M., Fierro, D., & Naff, D. (2023). Administrator feedback to teachers. Richmond, VA: Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium.

  • Naff, D., Meadowes, M., Dupre, K., Gaston, A., Khawaki, F., Tillery, C., Lindsay D'Abreu, M., Powell, L., & Fierro, D. (2023). Addressing school bullying since the onset of COVID-19. Richmond, VA: Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium.

  • Lindsay D’Abreu, M. (2023). Leadership Development Needs for African American Women in Vocational Ministry presented at Holmes Scholars AACTE Preconference (Indianapolis, IN).

  • D’Abreu, M. and Brown, V. A. (2012). Faith and Health: How the Balm In Gilead, the Florida Health Department and the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Promoted HIV Testing. Minneapolis, MN

  • Lindsay D’Abreu, M. (2008). Mobilizing African American Denominations Paper presented at 2008 HIV Prevention Leadership Summit (Atlanta, GA).

  • Lindsay D’Abreu, M. (2007). HIV in the Context of the African American Church. Paper presented at Consultation on Research Initiatives: Testing and Counseling in the African-American Community at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s HIV Prevention Conference in (Atlanta, GA).

  • Lindsay D’Abreu, Makeba. (2006). Initiating HIV Testing in the Context of the African American Church. Paper presented at Consultation on Research Initiatives: Testing and Counseling in the African-American Community at National Institutes of Health (NIH).

 

Biography

Rev. Makeba Lindsay D'Abreu is a nontraditional international educator. She’s an engaging storyteller, discerning nonprofit management consultant, skilled administrator, credentialed chief trainer, and philomath. Hence, embarked on her journey at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Education, where she is a second-year doctoral student in the Educational Leadership, Holmes Scholar, Deans Scholar Awardee, an SREB-State Doctoral Fellow, and 2024 Black History in the Making Awardee.

Her life was shaped by social justice from the womb. Service and outreach are integral to her career path, which took her from the White House and the United Nations to the Middle East and South Africa, working with executive faith leaders around HIV/AIDS and international leaders to mobilize for lasting change around matters of cultural and societal importance. Drawing on her vast global experience, Makeba is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program Manager at MissionSquare Retirement. Her mission is to–with enthusiasm, efficiency, and laughter–equip, organize, and build the capacity of organizations to fulfill their mission.

What does the Holmes Scholars program mean to you?

Mentorship.  Network and professional development. Confidence. The AACTE Holmes Scholars program is an invaluable opportunity for me to learn from mentors who blazed the trail and peer mentors traveling along the trail with me. The individual and group mentoring build confidence and helps me to develop my scholarly identity and brand. Being part of a program designed to prepare underrepresented scholars for positions at R1 universities ensures that I don’t feel siloed, flounder, or lose precious time trying to navigate the complexities of careers in higher education. I found a “home with Holmes.”

Curriculum Vitae