ROBBINS CHURCH OF CHRIST
Dr. David C. Penn is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and the son of Robert and Alice Edmonia Kennedy Penn (both of whom are deceased). He was ordained by the late Samuel L. Jordan and has served the Robbins congregation since 1983. He is the nephew of the late Levi Kennedy, Jr., who baptized him into the body of Christ.
He began preaching the gospel at the age of fourteen and has conducted revival meetings, evangelistic meetings, seminars and workshops in thirty-nine states; from the Pacific Coast of California, to the Eastern shores of Maryland. Furthermore, he is a frequent speaker on National and Regional Lectureships hosted by African American Churches of Christ.
Dr. Penn serves as Secretary for the Churches of Christ National Lectureship Executive and Advisory Committees. He is the past Chairman of the Churches of Christ Midwest Lectureship and present Chairman of Academic Affairs for the School of Religious Studies in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dr. Penn serves as Secretary for the Churches of Christ National Lectureship Executive and Advisory Committees. He is the past Chairman of the Churches of Christ Midwest Lectureship and present Chairman of Academic Affairs for the School of Religious Studies in Little Rock, Arkansas.
He is a co-founder and past Chairman of the Midwest Youth Conference among Churches of Christ; Chancellor and Board of Regents Chairman for Metropolitan Christian University in Louisville, Kentucky; founder of the Chicago Windy City Lectureship; founder of Imani Counseling Services and founder of the Institute of Biblical Studies.
Dr. David C. Penn
Facts Regarding David C. Penn, Ed.S., Ph.D.
His first unpublished doctoral dissertation was entitled “A Comparative Analysis and Study of Successful At-Risk Programs for Both At-Risk and Potential High School Dropouts.” His second unpublished dissertation was entitled “An Exposition of Ephesians Chapter 4:11-13 to Determine the Author’s Meaning of Perfecting the Saints for the Work of the Ministry.” In addition to local congregational ministry, Dr. Penn is licensed in the states of Illinois and Tennessee as a Social Science educator and administrator. His Secondary and Middle School endorsements include World History, United States History, Civics, Geography, and Economics. In the year 2005, Dr. Penn was chosen by Mrs. Phyllis Henry, former Chairlady of the Illinois Council for the Social Studies, to serve as a keynote presenter at the Illinois Council for the Social Studies Fall State Conference in Lisle, Illinois. He has mentored aspirant teachers from the University of Illinois at Chicago, National Louis University, and Chicago State University; having taught at the middle school, secondary, and college levels.
In the year 1981, Dr. Penn had the unique privilege of traveling with the late Dr. J. S. Winston to Cane Ridge and Lexington, Kentucky, researching the history of the Restoration Movement among Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and Christian Church. Dr. Penn and Dr. Winston had the opportunity to stand in the pulpit of the Cane Ridge meeting house building where the Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell revival movement began in 1801. This unifying movement is considered to be the first multi-religious gathering indigenous to American soil.
Dr. David C. Penn has labored with congregations in Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Cincinnati, Ohio. He attributes his initial development as a public speaker to the late Sister Eudora Whitfield of the Michigan Avenue Church of Christ who appointed him to represent the Churches of Christ in Chicago at National Youth Conferences throughout the country. Due to her encouragement and assistance, Dr. Penn became a featured National Youth Conference speaker in the cities of Cleveland, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, DC; and Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Penn is a graduate of Rochester University; University of Missouri; University of Nebraska; City University (Seattle, WA); Concordia University Chicago; Abilene Christian University; Saint Xavier University; California Coast University; Colorado Theological Seminary; and International Seminary. Educationally, he has received an Associate and Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts (History) Master of Education (Curriculum & Instruction); Master of Arts (Educational Administration); Master of Religious Education; Educational Specialist (Ed.S.); Doctorate of Philosophy; and Superintendent of Schools Certification.
Furthermore, he has received Post-Graduate Certificates in History from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; Harvard University in Cambridge; Massachusetts; Columbia University in New York City (with the renowned Dr. Eric Foner as his instructional mentor); and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City. In February 2021, Dr. Penn was recognized by Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, for his outstanding achievement in the field of African American Historical Research and Investigation.
The first Masters thesis of Dr. David C. Penn was entitled “An Analysis of Perceptions Held by Administrators and Students In One Chicago Public High School Regarding Strategies Used to Prevent High School Students From Dropping Out.” His second Masters thesis was entitled: “Why Some Students Who Attend A High School In An Urban Center In the Midwest Choose to Leave School Before Obtaining a High School Diploma.”
Several years ago, Dr. Penn he had the privilege of meeting the renowned historian and civil rights activist Timuel D. Black, Jr., who inspired him to write his third Master’s thesis entitled: “The Great Depression and its Socioeconomic Impact Upon African Americans in the City of Chicago.” Dr. Peter N. Gough his supervising professor at the University of Nebraska suggested that he should have this outstanding essay published by the “Journal of Black Studies,” “Middle West Review” or “Studies in Midwestern History.”
As a “New Left Historian” those who have influenced his pedagogy include Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu an educational consultant of Chicago, Illinois; Dr. Na’im Akbar, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Florida State University; Dr. Peniel Joseph, Professor of History at the University of Texas in Austin; and Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti, Professor Emeritus of Language Arts and Literature at Chicago State University.
As a “New Left Historian” those who have influenced his pedagogy include Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu an educational consultant of Chicago, Illinois; Dr. Na’im Akbar, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Florida State University; Dr. Peniel Joseph, Professor of History at the University of Texas in Austin; and Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti, Professor Emeritus of Language Arts and Literature at Chicago State University.
His first unpublished doctoral dissertation was entitled “A Comparative Analysis and Study of Successful At-Risk Programs for Both At-Risk and Potential High School Dropouts.” His second unpublished dissertation was entitled “An Exposition of Ephesians Chapter 4:11-13 to Determine the Author’s Meaning of Perfecting the Saints for the Work of the Ministry.” In addition to local congregational ministry, Dr. Penn is licensed in the states of Illinois and Tennessee as a Social Science educator and administrator. His Secondary and Middle School endorsements include World History, United States History, Civics, Geography, and Economics. In the year 2005, Dr. Penn was chosen by Mrs. Phyllis Henry, former Chairlady of the Illinois Council for the Social Studies, to serve as a keynote presenter at the Illinois Council for the Social Studies Fall State Conference in Lisle, Illinois. He has mentored aspirant teachers from the University of Illinois at Chicago, National Louis University, and Chicago State University; having taught at the middle school, secondary, and college levels.
In the year 1981, Dr. Penn had the unique privilege of traveling with the late Dr. J. S. Winston to Cane Ridge and Lexington, Kentucky, researching the history of the Restoration Movement among Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and Christian Church. Dr. Penn and Dr. Winston had the opportunity to stand in the pulpit of the Cane Ridge meeting house building where the Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell revival movement began in 1801. This unifying movement is considered to be the first multi-religious gathering indigenous to American soil.
In the year 2005, Dr. Penn authored his first book “My Soul Looks Back and Wonders… How I Got Over.” His second book “The Power of His Penetrating Presence” published in 2006 is a compilation of sermons presented by various Ministers at the Churches of Christ 62nd Annual National Lectureship held in Chicago, Illinois. His third published book “Can I Get A Witness?” was released in the year 2020. As an educator, author, theologian, public school administrator, and historiographer, Dr. Penn has written articles for the Chicago Defender, Chicago Sun Times, Gospel Times, and Cincinnati Herald newspapers. He has also written articles for the Christian Echo, Christian Courier, and the African American Pulpit.
Affiliations and Honor Society Recognition:
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Epsilon Upsilon Chapter)
- Phi Delta Kappa (University of Washington Chapter)
- Phi Beta Delta (City University of Seattle Zeta Kappa Chapter)
- Phi Alpha Theta Quondam Vice-President (University of Nebraska-Kearney Pi Nu Chapter)
- Delta Epsilon Tau (California Coast University Gamma of California)
- Kappa Delta Pi (Saint Xavier University Sigma Theta Chapter)
- National Alliance of Black School Educators
- National Council for the Social Studies
- Illinois Council for the Social Studies
- Social Science Education Consortium
- National Council for History Education
- American Historical Association
- Organization of American Historians
- World History Association
- Association for the Study of African American Life and History
- Marquis 19th Edition of “Who’s Who in the Midwest” (1984-1985)
- “Who’s Who in Society” (1988)
- Two-Thousand Notable Americans (1989)
- Cambridge Edition of “Who’s Who Among Professional Educators” (2010)
- National History Teacher of the Year Nominee – Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (2020)
- National Society of Leadership and Success Inductee – Concordia University Chicago (2021)
- Teacher of the Year Award – Camelot Academy (2021)
Dr. David C. Penn is married to the former Brenda J. Martin. They have two adult daughters who are professionals in their vocations. Dr. Dortricia Penn, JD, Esq., is an attorney at-law for the city of Chicago and former Illinois Assistant States Attorney. Dr. Danielle Penn-Lusby, Ed.D., is a Secondary Administrator in Palos Hills, Illinois. In spite of his educational achievements, the real pride and joy of Dr. David C. Penn are his two lovely granddaughters; Rian Danielle and Kendall Dior.