Dr. Margaret Elaine McCollins Flake to Deliver Keynote Address at 55th Commencement

We are honored to announce that Dr. Margaret Elaine McCollins Flake, a great influence and inspirational figure, will be the keynote speaker for the 55th Commencement Exercises of York College/CUNY. The event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 28, at UBS Arena,  Elmont, Long Island.

Dr. Flake is a retired senior pastor of Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, Jamaica, Queens. Prior to that, she served as co-pastor alongside her husband, former U.S. Congressman, the Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake, until his retirement in May 2020, when she was appointed senior pastor. She served until her retirement in 2024.

Dr. Elaine, a respected mentor, has played a crucial role in increasing the membership of Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral to more than 15,000. Her influence extends beyond the church, as she mentors numerous male and female leaders throughout the New York City area, sharing her wisdom and experience. Her guidance has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of leaders and she is frequently invited to speak nationwide.

Dr. Elaine, as she is fondly called, is the author of several books, including “God in Her Midst: Preaching Healing to Hurting Women,” and has contributed to “The Women of Color Study Bible” and “Souls of My Sisters: Black Women Break Their Silence, Tell Their Stories, and Heal Their Spirits.” Along with her husband, she co-authored two additional books: “Practical Virtues: Everyday Values and Devotions for African American Families” and “Learning to Live with All Our Souls,” published by HarperCollins, and “African American Church Management Handbook,” published in 2005 by Judson Press.

A native of Memphis, Tenn., Dr. Flake earned a bachelor's degree in English from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. She received a master's degree in English from Boston University and a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Flake serves on several community boards and has received numerous citations and awards throughout her years of service. She is a recipient of Union Theological Seminary's Distinguished Alumni Award, and in March 2017, she was inducted into Morehouse College's "Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers."

She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; The Links, Incorporated; and the National Council of Negro Women. She currently serves as the National Chaplain of The Links, Inc.

Dr. Flake's personal life is as rich as her professional one. She has been married to Dr. Floyd H. Flake for over 48 years, and together they have raised four adult children: Aliya, Nailah, Robert Rasheed, and Harold Hasan. Her family has grown with the addition of her granddaughter, Nia Renee, bringing her even more joy and fulfillment.