Senior Stateswoman Hour
Long recognized as a powerful preacher, teacher and role model with a gift for reaching worshippers of all ages, the Reverend Dr. Margaret Elaine M. Flake impacts countless lives she touches at The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in New York City, where she serves as co-pastor with the Reverend Floyd H. Flake. She has dedicated her life to the betterment of others by leading Christian education, evangelistic, and outreach ministries. She is an itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Fondly called “Reverend Elaine” by the GAC congregation, she and her husband founded the Allen Christian School in 1982. She was also instrumental in developing the Allen Women’s Resource Center, which houses women and children who are victims of domestic violence. She acts as Advisor to the Missionary Department, and many of the other ministries at Allen, and as Advisor/Coordinator of the Allen Women’s Ministry Department. Reverend Elaine has played a crucial role in increasing the membership of The Greater Allen A.M.E Cathedral to over fifteen thousand. She mentors many male and female leaders in the New York City area and is frequently invited to speak throughout the country.
Dr. Flake is the author of the popular book, God In Her Midst: Preaching Healing to Hurting Women and has contributed to The Women of Color Study Bible, and Souls of My Sisters: Black Women Break Their Silence, Tell Their Stories, and Heal Their Spirits. She and her husband, the Reverend Dr. Floyd H. Flake authored two books, Practical Virtues: Everyday Values and Devotions for African American Families Learning to Live with All Our Souls published by Harper Collins and African American Church Management Handbook, published in 2005 by Judson Press.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Flake earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She received a Master of Arts Degree in English from Boston University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City and the Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary of Dayton, Ohio. She has received numerous citations and awards. Most recently, Union Theological Seminary conferred The Distinguished Alumni Award upon her in March 2017. She was inducted onto Morehouse College’s “Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers.” Dr. Elaine is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; The Links, Incorporated; and the National Council of Negro Women.
Married for more than 44 years to the Reverend Dr. Floyd H. Flake and they are the parents of four adult children: Aliya, Nailah, Robert Rasheed, and Harold Hasan. She has one granddaughter, Nia Renee.