Dr. Carlos W. Perkins is Assistant Research Scientist and Associate Director of Engagement in the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. Carlos is an ordained clergy with the Indiana Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and serves as the senior pastor of Bethel Cathedral AME Church, the oldest black congregation in the city of Indianapolis. He also serves as the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Councilor for District 6. Prior to joining Lake Institute on Faith and Giving, Carlos served as principal with the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township in Indiana.

In addition to his work leading a congregation, Dr. Perkins taught classes in Sociology, Psychology, and Human Development. He is a certified Youth Development Specialist and holds certificates in Diversity Training and Designing and Implementing Diversity Initiatives. He is the published author of You are Enough: 21 Days to Sustaining The Seasons of Ministry.

Education

• Doctor of Ministry – Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, OH

• Master of Divinity – Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA

• Master of Education – University of Maryland, College Park, MD

• Bachelor of Arts – Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY

Honors and Awards

• Alumni Humanitarian Award – Ithaca College (November 2022)