The Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker was born in Nyack, New York. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University in Washington DC and a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. and her Doctorate of Ministry Degree in Preaching from Aquinas Institute Theology, St. Louis, MO. Dietra works full time as Chaplain and Program Development Manager for Episcopal City Mission a non-profit providing chaplaincy services to incarcerated children in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. In addition, she serves as an organizing specialist for the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. In this role she challenges congregations to engage in systemic level work in racial reconciliation. Currently she is organizing the "Break the Pipeline "campaign aimed to break the school to prison pipeline in Missouri. In 2014 she was given an Emerging Leader Award from the National Convocation of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ . Pastor Dietra was also in the inaugural class of the St. Louis American Young Leaders Award. In August of 2014 she became the clergy caucus co-leader of the Gamaliel Networks' Metropolitan Congregations United an organization that resourced clergy and congregations in the early stages of the Ferguson movement. She planted Liberation Christian Church (DOC) in April 2009 seeking to create a church that frees lives and communities through the power of Jesus Christ. Pastor Dietra loves to dance, sing, and teach and is married to Cornell R. Baker and they have a beautiful daughter Alexis Baker.