The birthing of the Alliance for black Pentecostal Scholarship took place at the late Professor James Cone's funeral. Dr. Clifton R. Clarke, Dr. Antipas Harris, Dr. Jaaqueline Rivers, Rev. Eugene Rivers, and Dr. Terrell Strayhorne discussed the contribution of James H. Cone to the development of Black Theology. During the discussion, there was a strong sense that the death of James Cone was a watershed movement for the growth and expansion of Black Pentecostal Theology. In addition, Dr. Clarke's new book (at the time) "Pentecostalism: Insights from Africa and the African Diaspora, also provided an impetus for a black Pentecostal scholarship to emerge from the shadows of white classical Pentecostalism and to stand as an area of discipline and a tradition in and of its own right.

Inspired by the prophetic and kairos moment, Dr. Clarke got to work and drew up a proposal for the mission, vision, and direction of the Alliance for Black Pentecostal Scholarship. After consultation with the founding fathers, mothers, and other enthusiastic supporters, including Dr. Estrelda Alexander, Dr. David Daniel, Renea Braithwaite, and others, the Alliance was officially launched the following year at the Society for Pentecostal Studies annual conference on February March 1, 2019.