Rev. Dr. Ebony D. Only

Director of Human Resources

The Reverend Dr. Ebony D. Only has served with over 20 years of Human Resources experienced with faith-based organizations, non-profits and international corporations, including Greenberg Traurig, TransUnion, Accenture and Trinity United Church of Christ.  In addition, she is the first African American women to be ordained as clergy and serve as Executive Pastor at First Baptist Church of University Park in University Park, Illinois, and was the inaugural Community Chaplain Fellow for Bishop Anderson House where she was instrumental in establishing the Committee on Social Equity and Racial Justice. Dr. Only is a Chicago Commons Project Fellow, a Thrive International Fellow and the author of two books:  Balance & Bloom and Self-Care Journey and The Soul's Oasis: Navigating the Divine Path of Self-Care for Clergy.

The Rev. Dr. Only earned her Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.  She also holds a Master of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership from Lee University School of Religion, a Master of Arts in Human Resources from Fort Hays State University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Chicago State University.

For Ebony, “There is nothing more invigorating to the human spirit than working towards a common goal with colleagues who are passionate about the work we do.” She hopes to uphold as an inspiration for our team a mantra of purpose as she shares, “We are called in the right place, work with great people and we are equipped and empowered to transform our society.