REV. JORETHA WRIGHT
FIRST LOVELY
Rev. Joretha Wright, M.Div.
Rev. Rita, as she is affectionately known, is an inspirational preacher, comedienne, teacher and public speaker, recognized for her raw, funny and intellectual approach to addressing topics that affect people from all walks of life. She began her career as a comedian before she realized laughter and the peace it brings was changing people's lives. God combined her gift of compassion, humor and authenticity to restore hope and happiness in the lives of people everywhere.
Rev. Rita has a B.S. in Human Services from Shorter University in Atlanta, Georgia and a M.Div. from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. Reverend Rita’s commitment to empowering youth and women is evident through her lifestyle of service.
Her previous pastoral charge extends to the communities of St. John AME Church Tuskegee, Alabama and Wesley Chapel AME Church in Waverley, Alabama. Rev. Rita currently serves as the Executive Minister at St. John AME Church where she serves alongside her pastor and team mate in ministry.
She is the founder of Atir Enterprise, a social change organization for women and girls which offers a diversified spectrum of programs and services with emphasis on prevention, intervention and diversity tolerance.
Her commitment to empowering young women is evident through her lifestyle of service as an HIV and AIDS advocate, community activist, non-violent instructor addressing the mean girl trend, and exceptional leadership building.
With the combined support and inspiration from her two daughters, she is the founder of several community agents. We Girls Mentoring Project, created for educating and instructing girls 12-18 to make healthy life altering choices, and iJoy, organized to provide community celebrations such as birthday parties and other special occasions for children in the foster care system.
Rev. Rita is a native of Lynwood, California. She later moved to Portland, Oregon where she met and has been married to Rev. Maurice Wright II for more than 20 years. She values the spiritual and loving support of her Pastor and husband while enjoying the exciting role of motherhood to their amazing and spirited four children.