LaKeesha Walrond is a native of Galveston, Texas. After the completion of her early education in Houston, she attended

Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, where she earned a B.A. degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Development.

Rev. Walrond then went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Special Education, and a Master’s Degree in School

Administration with an emphasis in Educational Leadership. In December of 2005 Rev. Walrond earned her Ph.D. in Special Education and Literacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Most recently, Rev. Walrond earned her Masters of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York, New York.

 

Rev. Walrond is very committed to children and education. She worked in the public school system in North Carolina for eleven years, first as a teacher, then a coordinator for special education programs in the district office, an assistant principal, and as the principal at Lakewood Elementary School in Durham, North Carolina.

Rev. Walrond answered her call to the ministry in December of 1995 and has been trying to live up to the calling that God has placed on her life. She served as an Associate Minister at Zion Temple Church in North Carolina for six years.

 

Rev. Walrond currently serves as the Executive Pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. In this capacity she has been able to expand the many administrative aspects of ministry in an urban setting. In 2013, Rev. Walrond launched The Getting to Greatness Women’s Conference promoting women’s empowerment, leadership development, and wellness and wholeness. During her time in New York she has received numerous recognitions including being honored for Excellence in the Community by the New York Liberty WNBA Basketball Association, as well as being honored as a Woman of Excellence by the National Action Network. Most recently Rev. Walrond was recognized as an outstanding First Lady and exemplary Woman of Worship by the McDonald’s GospelFest. She was named an extraordinary visionary by her alma mater Spelman College and served as the Homecoming Convocation speaker in 2014, and was honored by preaching the Trailblazer 2015 at Union Theological Seminary in 2015.

Rev. Walrond is happily married to her God given soul mate, Michael A. Walrond, Jr. and they are blessed to be the proud parents of two beautiful children; Jasmyn Dominique and Michael, III.