Rev. Dr. Susan Hillary Buckson is the daughter of Joseph E. and the late Gwendolyn Beasley Buckson. She is the younger sister of Sharon Buckson Stewart. Her professional education began at The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD, whereas an honor scholar-athlete, she received a Bachelor of Arts in English Education (1992). Her advanced degrees include a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Coppin State College in Baltimore, MD (2001), a Master of Divinity (2004) with a concentration in Theology from The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA, and a Doctor of Ministry from  Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, OH. 

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     Susan is a gifted educator. She has enjoyed a productive 26-year career in public education starting in Baltimore City Public Schools. Since 2001, served in the Atlanta Public Schools and has been recognized as both the APS System-wide High School Teacher of the Year and as a Milken Family Foundation National Honor Teacher. 

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     Susan is the Chief Financial Officer of Higher Standards Foundation, Inc., a 501c3, faith-based organization whose continuous effort is to serve as a liaison with community and businesses to address issues pressing those who have been incarcerated or otherwise impacted by the legal justice system with a smoother reentry into society.

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     Susan answered God’s call to the preaching ministry in 1999 at Waters A. M. E. Church in the Baltimore Annual Conference under then pastor, Rev. Ronald E. Braxton. She is the author of The Lenten Experience: A 40-Day Revival and My Praise is My S.W.A.G: A Bible-based curriculum for youth and young adults. She is currently writing a devotional for young women: That was Then…This is Now: My Daily Diary Journey toward Womanhood. Susan has served as a workshop presenter for the A.M.E. Church on both the district and conference levels with a critical focus on empowering components toward innovative, practical ministry. 

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     In 2019, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson appointed Susan as pastor of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, GA. Susan now serves as the first woman to serve in the church's history. As a pastor, Susan endeavors to lead with "integrity of heart" and "skill of hand." (Psalm 78:72) Therefore, she works diligently to be a servant to God’s people, and a seeker of God’s presence.

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