Reverend Dr. Sheila L. Elliott is a native of Columbia, SC.  In undergraduate her focus was American Politics, but after receiving the DACOR Fellowship she transitioned into international affairs and received her doctorate in International Relations specializing in African studies and women in the developing world.  Dr. Elliott has traveled extensively in Africa, but most intensively in South Africa during the years of apartheid.   She has also traveled to Cuba, South America, Europe and Asia.  Prior to accepting her call to ministry Dr. Elliott was a tenured professor at Columbia College where she was the school’s first black tenured faculty member.  Dr. Elliott completed her seminary education at Candler School of Theology at Emory University and was the recipient of the Woodruff, Dixion, Crusade, Bessie Parker, and Georgia Harkness scholarships.  Active in the areas of social justice, diversity, children’s advocacy and community organizing, Dr. Elliott believes that the faithful must be active and engaged.

Dr. Elliott grew up on Wheeler Hill and the Washington Park Community.  She is the daughter of the late Tharald W. Elliott and Gloria Jackson Elliott.  She has two sisters, one nephew and his wife, four great nephews, and a very large extended family.