By Deborah Bailey,
AFRO D.C. Editor
Making HERstory is what Rev. Dr. Anika Wilson-Brown has been doing quietly for the past two years as Senior Pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast Washington.
Rising out of the shadows of her well known and regarded parents, now the Pastors Emeriti Willie and Mary Wilson, Wilson-Brown transitioned in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic to the role of senior pastor of the church that has lived an Afri-Centric model of Christianity under the Wilson family’s leadership for more than 40 years.
Wilson’-Brown’s Installation on Saturday made it official. Delayed for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the “W” Street building was filled with pageantry, pomp, and a spirit of love and abiding affection for the pastor’s daughter who grew up before their eyes and has now stepped forward to lead them.
“I’m here to honor you on behalf of 700,000 Washingtonians. I’m here to honor the torch that fathers pass on to their daughters,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, another daughter of the District of Columbia to her friend born and raised across the Anacostia.
“As long as I’m our mayor, we’re going to walk this walk with you,” Bowser beamed.
Local and international dignitaries filled the pews of the Southeast Church famous for its capacity to connect with and stand up for the rights of citizens of Southeast Washington. Iyanla Vanzant and Former First lady Cora Masters Barry attended the Saturday afternoon service.
Bishop Corletta J. Vaughn, who gave the official homily, as did many women who served as celebrants in the hours-long installation service, stressed the importance of women standing for and with other women.
“This little girl” she said pointing to herself, had to be here for this little girl” motioning toward Wilson-Brown. “For I am she and she is me,” Vaughn said.
Vaughn continued in her homily to correct church histories that “erased the names of the women” who founded, contributed to, worked to build faith denominations throughout the world.
“William Seymour was introduced to the Holy Spirit by Lucy Farrow” Vaughn proclaimed as she recited a corrected version of the Azusa Street Movement to include the women who were pivotal to the founding of the American Pentecostal Church.
A host of videotaped congratulations from local, national and international church leaders, dignitaries and friends included Minister Louis Farrakhan. “When a father as great as the Rev. Willie Wilson wants to let his daughter take his place in a great ministerial post, it reminds me of Jesus looking for someone who would take the standard,” Farrakhan said.
After salutations from Rev. Mary Wilson, Wilson-Brown’s mother, her husband John and children, Brown came to the front of the church and sat face-to face with her father and spiritual leader, Willie Wilson.
The senior Wilson led Wilson-Brown through a teaching homily connecting her installation with the ancestors of their family whose faith influenced Wilson-Brown’s spiritual journey and preparing her for the life she would cross into as senior leader of the historic congregation.
“You are going to cross in the next few minutes with the seven attributes of aspiration and the seven symbols of life,” he said. “We named you Anika. Anika means bright face; wise, fearless,” Wilson said, looking intently into his daughter’s eyes.
Wilson-Brown, 46 is a licensed and ordained Baptist Minister. She is a graduate of Spelman College, and Catholic University, where she earned a Masters in Social Work. Wilson-Brown earned her doctorate in counseling education and supervision from Loyola University, Maryland. She is a trained therapist and serves as chair of the Mayor’s Interfaith Council. Wilson-Brown is married to retired Metropolitan Police Officer John L. Brown. The couple have three children, Jendayi, Nyela and Naaji.
Help us Continue to tell OUR Story and join the AFRO family as a member – subscribers are now members! Join here!