Dr. Alethea Smith-Withers is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Pavilion of God Baptist Church, one of only two Baptist congregations in Washington, D.C., founded by a woman and sustained in ministry for more than twenty-five years while maintaining affiliation with the DC Baptist Convention and American Baptist Churches USA. A respected pastor, preacher, educator, and community leader, she has dedicated her ministry to advancing faith, justice, and compassionate leadership. A graduate of Howard University School of Divinity, where she earned both her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees, Dr. Smith-Withers is a Pew Foundation Fellow in Urban Ministry whose pioneering leadership has opened doors for women in ministry and inspired communities across the nation.
Appointed by Maryland Governor Wes Moore to serve on the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, Dr. Smith-Withers has also served in numerous national leadership roles, including Chair of the Board of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and National Chaplain of Alpha Pi Chi National Sorority, Inc. A breast cancer survivor and passionate advocate for healing and wholeness, she is widely recognized as a barrier-breaker and bridge-builder whose voice continues to shape conversations on faith, history, justice, and community transformation.
Together with her husband, Deacon Charles Withers, a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran, she continues to lead with purpose while celebrating a growing family that includes their son, daughter-in-love, and three grandchildren.