Pastor Damele Elliott Collier Co-Pastors with her mother, Rev. Susie Elliott at Mt. Paran Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. She was born and raised in Brooklyn and is the youngest child of the Late Bishop John Brown Elliott and Pastor Susie Elliott.
She is an award-winning poet and has studied writing and theater abroad in London, England. She received her B.A. from the College of New Rochelle and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College.
Pastor Damele is the author of two novels, Fields of Gold and A Touch of Destiny. She is currently working on her third novel, which will be her first work of science fiction. She is also working on the dissertation for her Doctorate of Sacred Theology, which will be a book on the topic of preparing for and restoring Christian marriages.
She taught English in the NYC Public School System for five years and is currently teaching English Composition at Medgar Evers College. She recieved a CUNY Faculty Scholar Award for her work in 2008.
Pastor Damele has a passion for educating and inspiring today's youth. She has served as a mentor for The Brooklyn District Attorney's Mentoring Program. She is also the founder and the Executive Director of The Generation Christ Youth Program which has received grants over the years to help empower youth. In 2008, The Generation Christ Youth Program recieved a grant for its work with HIV and AIDS from the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. The Generation Christ Youth Program has been chosen to receive a second grant from the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS in 2009, for its continued work with HIV in the community.
Pastor Damele is the author of the powerful film, Hidden. This film targets youth and educates them about the life changing topics of HIV and AIDS.
Hidden one Second Place in the Kingdomwood Christian Film Festival in Lithonia, Georgia, in 2008. Pastor Damele is currently writing the script for her second film that will focus on Youth and Relationship Violence.
Pastor Damele has launched her own business, God Has Made Room Enterprises that promotes her novels, sermon cd's, original bookmarks and more. She travels for preaching engagements, motivational speaking, writing workshops, film screenings and book signings.
Pastor Damele has been married to Mr. Carlton Collier for fourteen years and has two children, Ashé and Hassan.
