Meet Our First Lady

Meet Our first Lady

Rev. Shawana Alicia Elwood

anointed woman of God

Rev. Shawana Alicia Elwood is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She is an Itinerant Elder in the AME Church and is an anointed woman of God, gifted to serve the present age. She was ordained in September 2015 under the leadership of Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr. Rev. Elwood is the former Executive Pastor of New Mt. Zion AME Church, “The City of the Great King!” in Tallahassee, FL. She comes from a strong foundation of faith. Her parents, Bishop Gregory and Evangelist Marilyn Bryant, instilled in her the importance of faith and living a life pleasing to God. She is intentional about ministry and the gift God has given her.

Rev. Elwood is a proponent of education and received a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science/Biology from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. She became a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated while matriculating at the university. In May 2015, she received a Master of Divinity Degree from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. She is excited about furthering her education and pursing a Doctor of Ministry degree in the near future.

Rev. Elwood has a passion for serving others, teaching the principles of prayer and empowering women and girls to be their best selves. She is the founder of the Jewels Women’s Ministry. A ministry birthed to create a place where women can grow spiritually, be empowered, inspired, and increase their prayer life. This ministry gives a safe place for women to share their life experiences, fellowship with one another, and form healthy connections that will serve as support groups for years to come. Under Rev. Elwood’s leadership, this ministry has grown significantly and has hosted powerful, life changing women’s conferences. Through her powerful gift of healing and mentoring, she hopes to empower women from all walks of life. Her desire is for women to see the “Jewels” that God has placed in each of them. As a powerful teacher and preacher of the gospel, she strives to see everyone reach their full potential in Christ

In all her accomplishments, Rev. Elwood is most proud to be the wife of Rev. Dr. Anton G. Elwood, Senior Pastor of Saint Phillip AME Church (Atlanta, GA), and the mother to their two beautiful children, Kaylin Alyse Elwood and Anton “Tony” Elwood II. Rev. Elwood serves faithfully with her husband in ministry and is grateful for what God is doing in their lives. She lives daily by Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding!”