Rev. Dr. Yvette R. Blair-Lavallais is a womanist public theologian, an ordained Elder in The Black Methodist tradition, thought leader and one of the leading global voices in food justice strategies. In the fall of 2024, she was named the 2024-25 Equity Justice Research Fellow for Feeding America, the largest charitable, hunger-relief organization in the US.
She is an international speaker on food justice through a theological lens and has been featured at Conversations with the White House, Bread For the World Global Summit, World Food Day, the United Nations Food Systems Summit, and the Pan African Women of Faith Ecumenical Empowerment Network. She is also the co-founder and co-curator of Every Body Needs Food, a digital food finder platform rooted in mutual aid.
Dr. Blair-Lavallais serves as an Adjunct Professor, Advisor and Cohort Mentor at Memphis Theological Seminary where she teaches courses in the “Land, Food and Faith” Doctor of Ministry program. A prolific speaker and an award-winning writer, she is the author of several published works, including the book, Scrimpin’ and Scrapin’: The Hardships and Hustle of Women and Food Insecurity in Texas Through a Womanist Theological Lens. Rev. Yvette has served in pastoral ministry for 15 years, and is known for her spirit of activism, encouraging faith leaders to be ecclesial disruptors of injustices. She has earned degrees from The University of North Texas, Southern Methodist University and Memphis Theological Seminary. She also has a certificate in Executive Leadership from Princeton Theological Seminary.