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Rev. F. James Clark, Ph.D. is a 2026 graduate of the PhD Program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.

freddy clark committee

Rev. F. James Clark at his Dissertation Defense.

From L-R: Dr. Stewart Burns, Committee Chair, Dr. Debby Flickinger, Committee Member, Dr. Betty Overton-Atkins, Committee Member.

Dissertation Committee

  • Stewart Burns, PhD, Committee Chair
  • Betty Overton-Atkins, PhD, Committee Member
  • Debby Flickinger, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

hospitality, philosophy of care, social justice, marginalized communities, relational care, narrative research, leadership, transformational/transactional leadership, community engagement

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This study examines hospitality as a philosophy of care and a practice of social justice, particularly within marginalized communities. While hospitality is often understood as a gesture of kindness or a function of the service industry, this research reframes it as an ethical and relational practice grounded in human dignity, mutuality, and community formation. It explores how hospitality extends beyond transactional exchanges to become a transformative expression of care that challenges exclusion and affirms belonging. Drawing on interdisciplinary frameworks, the study integrates biblical narratives, including the Good Samaritan and Matthew 25:35–40, philosophical perspectives from Emmanuel Levinas and Jacques Derrida, and social justice traditions such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Catholic Worker Movement, and African communal ethics, including Ubuntu and Ujamaa. Using a qualitative narrative methodology, the research centers the lived experiences of faith leaders, healthcare providers, community leaders, and individuals from marginalized communities to examine how hospitality is both practiced and received. The findings indicate that hospitality functions as a dynamic and reciprocal practice that disrupts hierarchical assumptions of giver and receiver, emerging instead as a shared human experience in which individuals move fluidly between the roles of host and stranger. Acts of recognition, presence, and empathy are identified as foundational expressions of care that affirm the inherent worth of individuals and cultivate a sense of belonging. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that hospitality can serve as a vital mechanism for addressing systemic inequities by challenging social norms and institutional practices that perpetuate marginalization. By positioning hospitality as a transformative framework for social care and justice, this research contributes to the fields of theology, ethics, community development, and education, advancing the understanding of hospitality as both an ethical obligation and a communal practice capable of fostering more inclusive, equitable, and interconnected communities. This dissertation is available in open access through AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and the OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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freddy clark

Rev. F. James Clark

ORCID Id:  #0009-0008-6242-6230

Rev. F. James Clark, Ph.D. is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, who accepted the call to preach the Gospel at a young age. Throughout his ministry, he has served as pastor of several congregations, dedicating his life to preaching, teaching, leadership, and service.

In 1993, Dr. Clark founded Shalom Church (City of Peace), where preaching, teaching, and prayer remain the foundational pillars of his ministry and leadership.

A committed lifelong learner, Dr. Clark recently completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Leadership and Change, culminating in his dissertation, “Hospitality as a Philosophy of Care.” His scholarly work reflects his longstanding commitment to leadership rooted in hospitality, compassion, and care for others.

Dr. Clark is married to the former Cheryl Waller, and they are the proud parents of three adult children: Terrence, Anthony, and Michelle.

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