Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr. serves as the Senior Pastor of Cathedral International—The Historic Second Baptist Church in Perth Amboy, NJ. Dr. Hilliard’s willingness to “Say Yes!” to the Lord has fostered his ability to provide leadership in the exponential growth of the church over the last 31 years. His transformational mindset is reflected in the numerous community development initiatives established under his leadership.

The Reverend Elijah Llewellyn McDavid III is a passionate disciple, dynamic preacher, and cultural architect. Since September 2020, Pastor McDavid has proudly served as Senior Pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis. 

Over the past two decades, the work and ministry of Rev. Melech E. M. Thomas has traveled around the world, impacting lives, families, communities, and organizations with a passion for Jesus, justice, and joy. Rev. Melech is a graduate of Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Culture and a Minor in Community and Economic Development. He also received his Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, under the tutelage of Dean John W. Kinney. In 2021, Rev.

Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes is a pastor, public theologian, innovation strategist, and author. She is the founding colead pastor of The Double Love Experience Church in Brooklyn, New York and the inaugural director of The Technology, Innovation & Digital Engagement Lab Fellowship at Union Theological Seminary. Dr. Gabby has a heart for God’s people and prioritizes creating experiences of connection and love through the physical church, the digital space, and local community engagement. 

The Reverend Danté R. Quick, Ph.D., was installed as the fourth Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens (FBCLG) in Somerset, NJ on June 12, 2022.

Pastor Lawrence E. Aker, III currently serves as Lead Pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York. In 2003, he was elected as the eighth pastor in the church’s history succeeding his spiritual mentor, Rev. Dr. Harry S. Wright, Sr. Pastor Aker, a native of Oakland, California, was raised in Dallas, Texas. 

Dr. Thema Bryant is the past president of the American Psychological Association, the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology with more than 120,000 members (apa.org).

Affectionately known as “Rev. Raquel,” the Reverend Raquel S. Lettsome, Ph.D. is committed to excellence and loves to help people move forward in their lives and ministries. Building on her core values of scholarship, integrity, and authenticity, Dr. Lettsome informs and inspires congregants and classes through her preaching, teaching, writing, and online course and webinar experiences. To this end, she founded Raquel S. Lettsome, LLC. to use these gifts in the service of churches and educational institutions to help them advance their missions.

Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson is president & CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) and CDF Action Council. CDF envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. Wilson is board chair for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) and the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE).

The Reverend Eboni Marshall Turman, Ph.D. is the associate professor of theology, African American religion, and African American studies at Yale University Divinity School in New Haven, CT. A first-career concert dancer and ordained National Baptist preacher, her research interests span the varieties of twentieth and twenty-first century US theological liberalisms, most especially Black and womanist theological, social ethical, and theo-aesthetic traditions.