— Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Ríos
Better Humans.
Bolder Leaders.
Braver Churches.
A pioneering Afro-Boricua mujerista public theologian — educator, strategist, and advocate from Manhattan's Lower East Side, working at the intersection of theology, justice, leadership, and technology.
A bug in the matrix — interrupting the operating system of empire
— The Voice
Empire depends on hierarchy, exclusion, silence, control, and the belief that only certain people are qualified to lead, teach, preach, create, or belong. My work pushes back on that!
Whether I am developing leaders, educating church birthers, making theology accessible, preserving overlooked Latino religious histories, confronting spiritual ableism, advocating for women, or preparing faith leaders for the digital world, I am challenging systems built to protect power rather than people.
That work will always annoy those committed to empire. Good. I am here to ask the questions institutions avoid, amplify the voices they overlook, and create what gatekeepers insist cannot or should not exist.
I embody the spirit of resistance against the entrenched societal and ecclesial norms that have long dictated a narrow path for women, pushing back against the expectation to reach high, but not too high.
Every part of my work serves one vision: Better Humans. Bolder Leaders. Braver Churches. I am a bug in the matrix because I refuse to reproduce what is broken. I am committed to disrupting it and helping build something more just, courageous, and faithful in its place.
"If any female feels she needs anything beyond herself to legitimate and validate her existence, she is already giving away her power to be self-defining, her agency."
— bell hooks
— The Commitment
One belief unifies everything.
Whether teaching, preaching, writing, mentoring, or building organizations — Dr. Liz equips people to confront injustice and participate in God's work of bringing hope to the world.
Better Humans
Helping people grow into fuller, braver, more whole versions of themselves — thinking deeply and living justly at the intersection of theology, justice, and everyday life.
Bolder Leaders
Equipping emerging and established leaders — especially women and leaders of color — with the courage, clarity, and conviction to lead where the world actually needs them.
Braver Churches
Cultivating communities willing to confront injustice, embrace necessary change, develop new leaders, and make room for those too often pushed to the margins.
Dr. Liz Rios has been featured in…
Selected Works
Writing &
Research
Books, contributed chapters, and published research exploring the intersection of faith, gender, and justice.
Don't Buy the Lie
A powerful and practical guide for women who feel stuck, frustrated, or disillusioned — exposing the enemy's lies that say you're unworthy, incapable, or destined to remain in your current circumstances. Learn to identify and silence the voice of the lie, break free from its grip, and step into the life you were meant to live.
Need to Know
One of 21 authors offering perspective on women in leadership — why have we limited women's contributions, and what transformation becomes possible when we choose to learn from and listen to women gifted to lead. It's past time we elevated the voices closest to the issues.
The Women Are Warriors
A contributed chapter to Latino Religions and Civic Activism in the United States, highlighting the achievements of Latina Pentecostal women in New York City's social activist world. Later reprinted in Azusa Street and Beyond at the Azusa Street Centennial.
Rhythms of Rest
Joined 39 women ministers from around the country, alongside Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook, in contributing a reflection on "Getting Up Again" — a word of perseverance and grace for those navigating seasons of exhaustion and renewal.