Jamal Harrison Bryant | |
|---|---|
| File:JamalBryant.jpg | |
| Born | May 21, 1971 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | Morehouse College (BA) Duke University (M.Div.) Graduate Theological Foundation (D.Min.) |
| Occupation | Senior Pastor |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Political party | Democratic[1] |
| Spouse | |
| Website | www |
Jamal Harrison Bryant (born May 21, 1971) is an American minister, author and former political candidate.[2] He is the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.[3] He is a graduate of Morehouse College and of Duke University.[4] He received his doctorate of ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation.
In December 2018, Bryant transitioned from Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland to Atlanta, Georgia to pastor New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb County.[4]
Early life and education
Jamal Harrison Bryant was born on May 21, 1971, in Boston, Massachusetts to John Richard and Cecelia Bryant (née Williams). He has a younger sister. He was raised in Baltimore, Maryland where, as a child, he attended his father's church Bethel A.M.E. Church. He preached his first sermon when he was 18 years old at Bethel titled "No Pain, No Gain."[5]
Bryant attended Morehouse College where he earned an undergraduate degree in political science and international studies. He obtained a master's of divinity degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. He received a doctorate of ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation. Bryant is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Politics
Bryant ostensibly ran for U.S. Congress in 2015, aiming to represent Baltimore, Maryland, as a Democrat.[6] He suspended his campaign less than two weeks after announcing his run.[7]
AME review after divorce
Officials of the A.M.E. denomination intended, as of February 2008, to enter into discussions regarding Bryant's leadership, following mutual filings for divorce by Bryant, his spouse, Hampton alumna and future Real Housewives of Potomac star Gizelle Bryant.[8] However, they said that Bryant did not face a disciplinary trial because no one came forward with a complaint against him. Church officials said that Bryant "was never charged through the church system with anything."[9] In 2019, the two renewed their relationship and began dating again.[10][11]
References
- ^ "Baltimore pastor Jamal Bryant will run for Congress".
- ^ "Baltimore pastor Jamal Bryant will run for Congress".
- ^ Greene-Hayes, Ahmad (December 4, 2018). "New Birth and Jamal Bryant: Time for the Black Church To Address Its Culture of Sexism, Misogyny and Homophobia". The Root. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Marissa (December 8, 2018). "Pastor Jamal Bryant plans to usher in a rebirth of New Birth". Fox 5 Atlanta. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ Poole, Shelia (November 20, 2018). "9 things to know about New Birth pastor Jamal Bryant, LIFE". Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ "Baltimore pastor Jamal Bryant will run for Congress".
- ^ "Jamal Bryant to end his House campaign".
- ^ Reddy, Sumathi (February 16, 2008). "Questions, concerns over pastor's divorce". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ^ Blair, Leonardo (May 12, 2016). "AME Church Says Rev. Jamal Bryant Did Not Face Trial for Affair Because No One Came Forward". The Christian Post.
- ^ Rosenfeld, Laura (September 15, 2019). "Gizelle Bryant Is Back Together with Ex-Husband Jamal Bryant: "I Feel Like He's a Different Person"". The Daily Dish. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
- ^ Campione, Katie (July 8, 2021). "RHOP's Gizelle Bryant Says She and Ex-Husband Jamal Are Still 'Best Friends' After Splitting Again". People. Retrieved August 28, 2021.