Nikia Smith Robert

 The Reverend Doctor Nikia Smith Robert is a nationally and internationally recognized thought-leader and speaker on the topics of mass punishment, abolition, religion, and Black motherhood. Her expertise as a womanist abolitionist scholar focuses on theological, ethical, and sociopolitical responses to the criminalization of impoverished Black motherhood. Dr. Robert’s scholarly contributions develop emancipatory interventions toward communal flourishing beyond punishment, policing, and prisons.  Dr. Robert’s research expands canonical thought in religious studies, gender, and women studies, and African(a) American/Black Studies.

Dr. Robert is the Assistant Professor of Religious Ethics and Social Justice at the University of Kansas. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Abolitionist Sanctuary. Dr. Robert has organized, mobilized, rallied, and spoken at highly visible protests against State-sponsored violence with Black Lives Matter, Until Freedom, Team Roc, the NAACP, and other activist organizations. Dr. Robert has been featured by ABC, NBC, and CBS television networks, NPR, LA Magazine, Sojourners Magazine, The National Catholic Reporter, The AME Christian Recorder, and other media outlets. Dr. Robert is the recipient of the Spiritual Exemplar award sponsored by the University of Southern California. She is recognized among “Women Leading Change” by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. 

Dr. Robert has participated in a national dialogue with the White House Department of Justice under the 44th presidential administration of Barack Obama to advocate for criminal justice reform. Dr. Robert has more recently supported local policies for resentencing with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners that led to the successful passing of AB1540. Dr. Robert has also participated in the historical campaign and inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris as an invited speaker for national events.

Dr. Robert completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Religion at Claremont School of Theology (California) with a focus on Ethics and Public Policy. She earned a Master of Divinity degree in Systematic Theology and Social Ethics from Union Theological Seminary (New York). Dr. Robert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems and Finance from Fairfield University (Connecticut). She holds certificates from Harvard University, Oxford University, and the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. Dr. Robert was awarded a Forum for Theological Education Dissertation Fellowship (FTE) and recognized as a future leader of theological education.

Dr. Robert is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a clinically trained healthcare chaplain with four units of Clinical Pastoral Education. Prior to the academy, Dr. Robert worked on Wall Street in Public Accounting and Investment Banking.

Dr. Robert is an active member of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is a native New Yorker and enjoys sharing life with her loving husband and three children. 

You can follow Dr. Robert on Twitter @drnikiasrobert or @abolitionSNCTRY, Instagram @drnikiasrobert, Facebook @AbolitionistSanctuary, and visit her websites at www.nikiasrobert.com, abolitionistsanctuary.org, and abolitionacademy.com.