Rev. Dr. J. Deotis Roberts is an author, professor, and pioneer of black theology and modern American theology. He is the founder and president of the J. Deotis Roberts Research Library and Institute. Author of more than fourteen books and more than one hundred scholarly articles, he is regarded as one of the most prominent theologians in the world.

Roberts earned his Ph.D. in philosophical theology from the University of Edinburgh and later received from the university the D.Litt. Degree. He was called to teach theology at Howard University Divinity School in Washington, D.C., where he educated students for many years.