Rev. Dr. Constance Banks Simon, the middle child of the late Ebie and Johnsie Banks. From a family of
educators she holds a BS in Elementary Ed, a MEd. in curriculum and Supervision, an EdD in
Administration and Supervision; a Master of Divinity, MDiv., and a Doctorate in Ministry, DMIN, as a
Jeremiah A. Wright Scholar in African Religious Thought and Ministry.

Dr. Coni was ordained by the United Church of Christ, 2012 and served the Michigan Conference as the
Associate Conference Minister for the Detroit Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ.
At Fellowship Chapel, Mama Coni, serves as the Minister of Christian Education, teaches two Bible
studies, produces a weekly Sunday School Stream and presents topical workshops under the Fellowship
Chapel Biblical Institute.

Dr. Simon is an Associate Professor at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary where she is the Director
of the Doctor of Ministry Program. Additionally, her courses are, Womanist Theology, Introduction to
Christian Education, Introduction to Worship and she developed a curriculum for African American
Religious Studies. She has also done workshops on her research around the identity and culture of
being Christ-rooted and African Centered.

She lives by the mantras of her parents. From her father: “if I can help somebody along life’s way, then
my living shall not be in vain” and from her mother: “when the Great Scorer comes and writes beside
your name, it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you played the game.”