The Daniel Alexander Payne Lecture Series was initiated in 1945 to help augment the intellectual life of the Seminary and surrounding community. This program supports the work of leading African American scholars and lifts up their contribution to religion and society.
In the spring of each year, nationally acclaimed scholars come to Payne as Visiting Scholars and lecturers. In recent years, scholars delivering the Daniel Alexander Payne Lectures have included:
Dr. Marvin McMickle, Ashland Theological Seminary
Randall C. Bailey, Interdenominational Theological Center
James Cone, Union Theological Seminary
Noel Erskine, Emory University
Cain Hope Felder, Howard University
Rev. Floyd Flake, Allen A.M.E. Church
Jacquelyn Grant, Interdenominational Theological Center
William Jones, Florida State University
Manning Marable, Columbia University
Renita J. Weems, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Gayraud Wilmore, Interdenominational Theological Center
Edward Wimberly, Interdenominational Theological Center