Bishop Dr. Barbara Lewis King was a native of Houston, TX. Affectionately called “Dr. Barbara,” she was the Founder-Minister/World Spiritual Leader of
Hillside International Truth Center, Inc., a New Thought, inclusive, healing ministry open to all people, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Hillside began with a prayer group of twelve in Dr. Barbara’s home in 1971 and now has members and supporters worldwide.

The following are some highlights from her life which she lived on purpose and impacted the world.

Education: B.S. from Texas Southern University; MSW from Atlanta University; D.Min. from Ecumenical Theological Seminary (Detroit) at age 81. In addition, she was awarded several honorary degrees including Doctor of Divinity from Bethune-Cookman University, the Christian Church of Universal Philosophy, and the University of Metaphysics.

Professional Positions: Dean of Community Relations at Malcolm X College in Chicago; college instructor as well as Dean of Students at Spelman College in Atlanta; the first non-psychiatrist Director of the Emory Mental Health Center headquartered in the Southside Comprehensive Health Center in Atlanta. Ministry: She began teaching Sunday School at age 13 and had a desire to become a minister. At age 15, she delivered the Women’s Day address at Antioch Baptist Church in Houston, TX. She was mentored in ministry by Reverend Dr. Johnnie Colemon at Christ Unity Temple in Chicago. She founded Hillside in 1971 and served actively as its minister until 2019. She established The Barbara King School of Ministry in 1977 and it continues to this day.

Speaking:. She taught and ministered throughout the United States and around the world. She hosted her own television program, “A New Thought, A New Life,” and appeared as a guest on shows by Oprah Winfrey and Tavis Smiley. She participated in White House conferences; offered guidance and counsel to U.S. Presidents Carter and Clinton. She was a featured speaker for thousands including 3,000 women at the 2015 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah, and 50,000 people from more than 150 countries at the 2011 World Culture Festival of the Art of Living Foundation in Berlin, Germany.

Authorship: Dr. Barbara wrote and published ten books and monographs including the widely acclaimed Transform Your Life. Her last publications were In Me, As Me: Ten Principles for Finding the Divine Within and Leave with Love: A Spiritual Guide to Succession Planning and Transitions for Charismatic Church Founders. She also authored magazine articles, essays and book chapters.

Honors, Awards, and Recognition:

• • Donated her personal collection of writings, photographs, awards, and memorabilia to Atlanta’s Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History. Collection opened August 17, 2019.
  •  Interfaith Chapel in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport renamed and dedicated as Dr. Barbara Lewis King Interfaith Chapel on March 29, 2019.
  • Shoes were added to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia on January 28, 2011, for her work in Dr. Martin Luther King’s Chicago movement
  • Consecrated as Bishop on September 26, 2010, becoming the first New Thought minister so honored
  • Enstooled as first female chief in 2001 at Assin Nsuta Ghana, West Africa of the Ashante tribe; her stool name is Nana Yaa Twumwaa I, Ghana.
  • Portrait hangs in the International Hall of Honor at Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel on the campus of Morehouse College
  • Interview for “History Makers” is in its Digital Archives and is in the permanent collection of the Library of Congress
  • Barbara Lewis King Scholarship Fund established in her honor in 1997 and continues today as Barbara Lewis King Scholarship Foundation
  • Received countless other honors, awards, plaques, proclamations, and recognition throughout the years

When asked how she would like to be remembered, Dr. Barbara said: “For my personal commitment to touch someone’s life and help them to see their very special talent to be given to the world as only they can do.”

Bishop Dr. Barbara Lewis King made her transition October 11, 2020, at the age of 90. She created a legacy that continues to heal hearts and transform lives.