Biography
Rev. Ramone Raschad Billingsley, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, is a Canadian-trained biblical scholar, a Baptist minister, a lecturer, a writer, a doctoral student, and a classically-trained organist.
He has extensive experience in congregational care, church administration, preaching, and civic engagement. An emphasis on the Black church, Black liberation theology, and social justice is at the heart of Rev. Ramone's preaching and church ministry ethos. He works within the intersection of faith and social justice.
Ramone began his undergraduate education at Oberlin Conservatory of Music (Oberlin, Ohio) in the Bachelor of Music program in Organ Performance & Literature. Ramone holds a Bachelor’s and Master of Divinity degree from Temple Bible College & Seminary (Cleveland, Ohio, no longer extant). Also, he holds a Master of Arts degree in Hebrew Bible with extensive coursework in Northwest Semitic Languages. Rev. Billingsley is ABD in the PhD program (Hebrew Bible & Northwest Semitics) at Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario). Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Black Preaching & Social Change at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University (Richmond, VA).
Rev. Ramone serves as the founding and lead pastor for Oasis of Hope Church Bham (Birmingham, Alabama). He is a founding member and general secretary of the Cutting-Edge Clergy Caucus, LLC (Birmingham, Alabama), a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians, the American Association of Notaries, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Catholic Biblical Association. Also, he is an active member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Mu Psi Lambda Chapter), where he serves as Parliamentarian.
Strategic | Leadership | Pastor | Civic Engagement |
Civic Engagement
As a political candidate, my vision for my district reflects a bold commitment for a thriving community. Rooted in community, growing in opportunity, is about ensuring that every resident has access to the education, information, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive. I’ll aim to do my part to empower individuals and families in our community to take charge of their futures. Progress requires teamwork, collaboration, and bold steps forward, but it also requires equipping our community to rise together.
What have I been doing?
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Senior Leadership Team Member & Researcher: Perform research for the 2026 Will Boyd for Alabama Gubernatorial Campaign. Help create campaign strategies and engagement initiatives based on research on public policy, state demographics, and state and local issues.
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Co-Organizer, Faith in Action Alabama: Collaborated with fellow clergy to prevent the closure of 31 driver’s license offices in rural Alabama, advocating for equitable access to essential services.
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Founding Member, Cutting Edge Clergy Caucus: As a faith leader, I helped establish and organize this group to address social injustices, such as speaking out against Alabama’s Confederate Memorial Bill, using a theological lens to promote justice, equity, and healing within the community.
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Community Organizer, ReVote Black Church Community Voter Project (Faith & Works): Helped Black churches establish civic engagement ministries to address community issues and empower congregations through voter education and participation.
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Community Outreach Organizer, Fairmount Neighborhood: Led neighborhood clean-up initiatives and educational campaigns to promote voting rights, voter participation, and economic empowerment for disadvantaged residents.
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Food Pantry Manager, Sardis Baptist Church: Coordinated and managed a bi-weekly food pantry to serve individuals and families facing food insecurity in the community.
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Lead Organizer, National Voter Registration Day 2023 (Faith & Works): Successfully led an event at Railroad Park that registered and engaged approximately 200 voters, utilizing strong organizational and leadership skills to ensure its success.
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Active Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Mu Psi Lambda Chapter): Currently serve as Parliamentarian, chair of the Social Action Committee, and a member of A Voteless People is a Hopeless People, participating in volunteer initiatives to uplift the Greater Birmingham area.
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Pastoral Leadership, Oasis of Hope Church: As the current pastor of Oasis of Hope Church in Birmingham, Alabama, I bring over a two decades of experience in church and civic leadership. In this role, I have organized the congregation to embody Jesus’ example of serving and supporting the community’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised members.
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Featured Speaker and Clinician, Interfaith Events: Frequently sought after as a speaker and workshop clinician for various interfaith gatherings, addressing critical issues such as gun violence, community unity, healing, and safety. My messages emphasize collaboration, hope, and actionable solutions to foster stronger, more resilient communities.
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Consultant and Strategist for Faith-Based Ministries: Provide guidance to churches nationwide on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion, helping them maintain theological integrity while embracing an evolving world. I educate faith communities on leading with love, fostering unity, and addressing these critical issues through a balance of tradition and transformation.
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Educated Music Clinician and Arts Advocate: A trained pianist skilled in diverse musical styles, a versatile organist, and a dedicated arts educator. I am also a strong strategist and advocate for the arts, committed to using music and creativity as tools for education, empowerment, and community enrichment.
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Nonprofit Steering Committee Member and Advisor: For several years, I have provided strategic support, project management, and advisory guidance to multiple nonprofit organizations. My work has focused on advancing their missions, strengthening operations, and driving impactful initiatives that address social and community needs.
Through each of these roles, I remain committed to fostering justice, unity, and empowerment in communities. Guided by a balance of faith, love, and action, I strive to create lasting change and serve as a bridge between tradition and transformation for a better, more inclusive world.