Brandy Daniels is in her third year at Duke Divinity. Originally from Southern California, Brandy did her undergraduate work at Azusa Pacific University, studying psychology, Biblical studies, and youth ministry.
Brandy comes to the Women’s Center with a deep passion for social justice issues, especially for feminist and LGBT-issues. Before coming to Duke and Carolina, Brandy was part of a group called the Soulforce Equality Ride, and she had the opportunity to travel to Christian colleges and universities across the country that have policies discriminating against LGBT students, speaking against the policies, educating students and administrators, and offering support for struggling students. Her first year at Duke, Brandy worked as an editor and programmer for Duke University Women’s Center, and has served (and continues to serve) as co-coordinator for Sacred Worth, the Divinity schools LGBT group. In addition to pursuing her MDiv, Brandy is also obtaining the certificate in gender, theology, and ministry. When finished with her degrees, she hopes to go on to more school, to obtain a doctorate in religious and cultural studies, and, one day, to teach and do research on poststructuralism, gender and sexuality, and theology. Brandy is currently attending St. Lukes and is begining confirmation classes. In her free time, Brandy enjoys reading, playing board games (especially Scattergories and Settlers of Catan), watching Star Trek (especially Voyager), and hanging out with family and friends. Her favorite ice cream is chocolate almond indulgence, and her favorite novel in the Brothers Karamazov. You can find out more about Brandy at her website: brandydaniels.com.
Emma Akpan is a senior at Duke Divinity school. Emma comes to Duke from Toledo, OH. Emmawent to college at the University of Michigan, where she majored in Communication Studies. Emma comes to the Women’s Center with a great deal of experience, much of it with the Women’s Center. As secretary for the Black Seminarians Union at Duke Divinity, Emma has partnered with the Women’s Center on a variety of events. Most recently, Emma organized an event “Hollywood Be Thy Name: A Panel Discussion about the Depiction of Gender and Faith in Christian Films,” that was co-sponsored by BSU and the Women’s Center. Emma has also served as the student assistant for the Office of Black Church Studies since her tenure at Duke Divinity, where she has put together a variety of programming, including assisting with organizing and attending pilgrimages of pain and hope in Durham and in Brazil, and the Freechurch Women’s Retreat. Emma has also served a United Methodist church on the coast of North Carolina as a student summer intern.
In the future, Emma hopes to utilize her skills, passions, and experiences and serve as a pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal church. While she is working towards her ordination, Emma …well… keeps herself busy! In addition to serving the Office of Black Church studies and the Women’s Center, Emma is involved in the Duke Divinity Gospel Choir, babysits, and is trying to learn Portugese. When she does have free time, Emma enjoys hanging out with friends, talking about theology and politics, and running. Emma’s favorite books are the Harry Potter series, her favorite food is cookies (especially chocolate chip, but any kind will do!) and her favorite color is brown. Check out Emma’s facebook page to find out more about her!
Adrienne Koch is in her second year of Divinity School. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Adrienne did her undergraduate at Malone College (now Malone University), where she got a degree in Liberal Studies, which allowed her to study Bible and Theology, Communications, and Psychology. Like Emma, Adrienne comes to the Women’s Center with a wealth of knowledge and experience. In college, she served for two years as a resident advisor, counseling and advising women in a dorm setting, and worked in “The Write Place” as a student editor. In between her time at undergrad and Duke, Adrienne worked as the Communications Director for Worldview International (now Ancient Paths Community), a not-for profit organization and NGO in Africa that usees the arts to incite compassionate action and ignite hope in a hurting world. She has also worked at a homeless shelter in Canton, OH, did some field ed work at Volunteers of America, a shelter and church for homeless veterans, and is currently volunteering there. Adrienne has done a great deal of work with the Women’s Center during her first year, helping to organize the panel discussion on homosexuality and the church co-sponsored with Sacred Worth, and participating in other Women’s Center potlucks and events.
Adrienne is currently pursuing confirmation in the Episcopal Church, and hopes to discern a calling to the priesthood with the community at St. Luke’s where she is currently attending. It’s a lengthy process, so she hopes to spend some time in Europe working on a PhD before working in a parish. While she is finishing her MDiv and stuck in the U.S., Adrienne enjoys learning about Jewish history, doing random acts of kindness for other people, creative writing, watching films that make her think, and deep conversations with friends. Adrienne’s favorite bands are Over the Rhine and Indigo Girls, her favorite food is Indian, and her favorite perfumes are Burberry Brit and Karma by Lush. You can check out some of Adrienne’s talents at writing over at her blog: http://failedchristian.tumblr.com/.
