Paine College to Welcome Nationally Recognized Faith Leader Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant as Guest Speaker for PRIDE Forum.

AUGUSTA, GA (October 12, 2026) – Paine College will welcome nationally recognized faith leader, civil rights strategist, and social justice advocate Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, as the featured speaker for its upcoming Harlem Renaissance PRIDE Forum on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., in the Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel on the Paine College campus.

The forum, themed “The Fire This Time: Politics, Protest, and Progress in the Harlem Renaissance and Beyond,” will explore the enduring influence of the Harlem Renaissance and its connections to contemporary movements for social justice, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and community transformation.

Hosted by the Harlem Renaissance, the PRIDE Forum will provide students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members with an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the intersection of history, culture, faith, leadership, and social responsibility.

Rev. Dr. Bryant is widely regarded as one of the nation’s most influential voices in faith-based advocacy and social justice. A third-generation minister, public theologian, and community leader, he has dedicated his career to advancing equity, economic accountability, and civic engagement.

Before entering the pastorate, Dr. Bryant served six years as National Youth and College Director of the NAACP, mobilizing more than 70,000 young people worldwide in coordinated nonviolent civic, political, and social justice campaigns. He later founded Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, which became one of the fastest-growing congregations in the history of the AME Church.

In 2018, Dr. Bryant became Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, where his leadership has emphasized spiritual renewal, community outreach, economic justice, and public-policy engagement.

His national influence extends beyond the pulpit through initiatives such as the Target FAST and Boycott movement, which advocates for economic accountability, equitable business practices, supplier diversity, and recognition of Black consumer power.

A graduate of Morehouse College, Dr. Bryant is a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and has been recognized for his contributions to Grammy Award-winning spoken-word projects.

Paine College President Dr. Lester A. McCorn emphasized the importance of providing students with opportunities to engage with influential leaders whose work reflects the College’s longstanding commitment to education, leadership, service, and social progress.

The Harlem Renaissance PRIDE Forum reflects Paine College’s commitment to cultivating intellectually engaged, socially conscious, and purpose-driven leaders. By connecting the historical significance of the Harlem Renaissance with present-day challenges and opportunities, the forum seeks to inspire students to recognize their ability to influence change in their communities and beyond.

The event is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the greater Augusta community.