About

Dr. Mildred Summerville
“Tall One”
Educator • Author • Playwright • Humanitarian • Visionary Leader • Hometown Hero
A native of Wilson, North Carolina, Dr. Mildred Summerville is a towering force in education, the arts, and community empowerment. Affectionately known as the “Tall One”—a name lovingly given by her pastor and gospel icon Shirley Caesar—Dr. Summerville is renowned for her unwavering dedication to faith, service, and transformative leadership.
Dr. Summerville began her academic journey at Fayetteville State University (B.S., 1975), later earning a Master of Education from Bowling Green State University (1982) and a Principal’s Certificate from East Carolina University (1985). She holds two honorary doctorates: in Humane Letters (2011) and Humanitarianism (2019).
Throughout a pioneering career, she has served as teacher, coach, principal, curriculum specialist, and educational consultant. As founder of the James & Leanther Summerville Academy, named in honor of her parents, she champions quality education for at-risk youth. Her nonprofit, Tall One Outreach Ministries, fuses mentorship, faith, and the performing arts to uplift her community.
Her theatrical work, including the nationally acclaimed play Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child, showcases her talent as both author and playwright. This gospel stage production has featured stars like Pastor Shirley Caesar, Le’Andria Johnson, Sister Cantaloupe, Dorinda Clark, and earned multiple honors including Playwright of the Year and Gospel Stage Play of the Year.
As CEO of Summerville Promotion & Production Co., she has promoted concerts featuring gospel legends such as Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, Evelyn Turrentine-Agee, Leanne Faine, Shawn McLemore, Sensation Nightingales and Bill Myers and the Monitors.
She is the proud recipient of more than 32 awards, including;
• President’s Lifetime Achievement Award (Barack Obama, 2016; Joe Biden, 2021)
• Distinguished Career Achievement Award
• Listings in Who’s Who in America and The Heritage Registry
Dr. Summerville is also a published author of four inspirational books:
• A Woman With A Vision
• Church Bullies
• Don’t Let Your Mind Outrun Your Heart
• Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child
Her deep-rooted service continues through her roles as Armor Bearer to Pastor Shirley Caesar at Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, NC. Dr. Summerville stands as a beacon of hope, leadership, and resilience—

lifting lives through education, storytelling, and the transformative power of faith and the arts.