Rev. Victoria L. Burson is a powerful visionary, engaging preacher, innovative leader, teacher, Certified Professional Coach C.P.C., Talk-Show Host of Leadership on the GO!, and founder of Essentials Unleashed. An organization created to Enlighten, Encourage, and Empower leaders to LIVE with PURPOSE and LEAD with PASSION. Rev. Victoria believes that she is called to develop progressive 21st-century leaders by helping them trend forward by any means necessary. Rev. Victoria has a deep passion for helping folks thrive. Her motto is ‘Changed people change people.’
Currently, she serves on the Murray-Rustin Social Justice Institute (MRSJI) Advisory Council, an outgrowth of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference. The MRSJI is designed to provide opportunities for persons within the political, academic, social, and religious world; particularly the LGBTQIA communities. Rev. Victoria also assists churches with pulpit supply, spiritual and leadership development, conference facilitation, Bible teaching, empowerment, and life coaching.
Rev Victoria presently serves as clergy within The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM), and with The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Churches’ People of African Descent (PAD) – The Next Generation. Rev. Victoria was appointed to the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, Governing Board in January 2018 – July 2019 during an arduous season for the denomination. Rev. Victoria served in MCC’s ‘Thriving in Ministry’ initiative: a Pastoral Mentoring Program (Pastors mentoring other pastors). Rev. Victoria is also a part of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference – ‘The Micah Cohort’, an initiative for Pastoral Leadership & Development and the efficacy of ‘The Theology of Efficiency’ under the leadership of Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Dr. Iva Carruthers, and Dr. Freddie Haynes. Rev Burson also partnered with Vanderbilt Divinity School of Public Theology and Racial Collaborative - Mobile Institute and the Henry Luce Foundation as the Lecturer and Curator of “Triple Threat: Courage Under Fire.” Rev. Victoria was also one of the recipients of the ‘Black Futures Micro-Grant’ from the Center of Study of Religion and the City, sponsored by CLLCTIVLY, a Baltimore Black-LED initiative, and has received an overabundance of prestigious awards from the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore’s Council, Mayors, and Senators, as well as the late Governor Cummings, for her work and service in ministry.
Rev. Victoria was ordained in The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM) in 2009, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop/Prelate. Rev. Victoria received her undergrad - Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership Development & Administration from Beulah Heights University in 2004, graduating top of her class (Magna Cum Laude) in Atlanta, Georgia. She also received her Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School of Theology at Texas Christian University (TCU), in 2009. Pastor Victoria has also done some post-graduate work toward a Doctorate in Pastoral Leadership at Seattle University, which is currently on deferment due to life changes.
Rev. Victoria is an entrepreneurial visionary, which has afforded her to serve on various platforms. She has served as one of the Faith-based writers for OutLoud Newspaper in Baltimore Maryland as well as other secular magazines. She is one of the faith leaders who took a stand in the Freddie Gray unrest in Baltimore, Maryland, helping to mobilize and organize people - rallying them for the injustice at hand.
Rev. Victoria loves God, doing Ministry, and helping people succeed in their greatness!