Rev Dr Selma Massey

Rev. Selma Massey, EdD is the Founder and Pastor of WHOSOEVER Ministry in Detroit, Michigan. A native of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Dr. Massey’s family moved to Michigan in 1953. This Civil Rights Era ignited her passion for people, and social justice issues.

Dr. Massey earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, and a Master’s Degree in Student Personnel Work in Higher Education, from the University of Detroit Mercy. She then attended Western Michigan University and earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Dr. Massey became a licensed and ordained minister by New Covenant Community Ministries.

Dr. Selma, as she is affectionately known throughout the community has dedicated her time and talents to her passion for people and social justice issues. She has written and developed numerous mental health and community corrections programs for the developmentally disabled and similar high-risk offenders. Dr. Selma was the Executive Director of Project Start, a community-based corrections agency for Wayne County. She wrote, developed and implemented the country’s first day reporting center to reduced prison overcrowding for Michigan.

Dr. Selma became a media presence by developing several public service television and radio programs focusing on such topics as teen suicide, community corrections, mental illness and ‘Detroit’s Most Wanted’ criminal radio, and television broadcasts. She is a former contributing writer for Michigan’s Between the Lines and the Michigan Chronicle. Her self-help book entitled, Dr. Selma HELP is available at Amazon.com, and other bookstores. Her newest book, entitled Outside the City Gate chronicles her journey toward a more inclusive church for all people. She was the Co-Chair of Inclusive Justice, the statewide interfaith based network of affirming churches, synagogues and mosques which advocate spiritual inclusiveness, civil rights and social justice.

Dr. Selma was the producer and host of the television program, Whosoever with Dr. Selma, which aired on Sundays on WKBD-TV CW Channel 50. Dr. Selma says, “The intent of the television program called, ‘Whosoever with Dr. Selma’ was to plant a seed of God’s love into the hearts and minds of all people particularly those who have been spiritually abused in traditional churches.” She also wrote and produced a CD entitled, Trouble…Don’t let it snatch your faith!

Her local media presence, combined with her passion for people and social justice issues led to the founding of WHOSOEVER Ministry located in the greater Detroit area. The church offers a ‘safe place to worship’ for, but not limited to the LGBTQ Southeast Michigan community. Dr. Selma says
“After more than fifteen years of writing proposals and developing treatment programs for community corrections and community mental health, domestic violence programs, and teaching at Wayne County Community College District, I wanted to be more active in social justice. I wanted to give my heart, skills and my professional abilities to advocate for inclusion and equality for the lesbian and gay Christian community.”