Born in Pensacola, FL and raised by her grandparents in Atmore, AL, Rev. Dr. Doris Barron-Shell received her Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Leadership and Hermeneutics from Andover Newton Theological School. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies and a minor in Egyptology.

Rev. Dr. Shell is the first African American ordained female pastor to ever preach from the pulpit of the historic First Baptist Church of America in Providence, RI and the historic First Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Wimauma, FL.

Doctor Shell has a deep passion for authentic cultural history, research and community development. She is accredited for initiating several non-profit programs and organizations. Among them are: The Minority Health Advocate Program, an advocate program for providing healthcare information and connecting emergency care providers, to all who do not have access to proper healthcare. “Jesus Set the Captives Free,” a prison ministry that focuses on placing former incarcerated men and women back into the local job market and reintegrating them with their families. Dr. Shell is the originator of WBRU’s 360 Degree Sunday Morning Gospel Hour, the RI Annual State Legislative Prayer Breakfast, and organized the first Heroes of the Faith Awards for outstanding community service.