Forrest Elliott Harris, Sr. is the tenth president of American Baptist College (ABC), assuming this leadership position in 1999. He holds the distinction of ranking at number 5 among the longest-tenured leaders of the nation’s 100 plus Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
As president, he has led the development of countless new programs and initiatives at the College. He remains deeply committed to sustaining and enhancing ABC’s academic distinction by building upon its unique strengths as a Historically Black College with a focus on social justice advocacy, combined with the College’s stunning background in civil rights leadership. President Harris has succeeded in advancing innovative teaching and in amplifying ABC’s partnerships in the United States, the Caribbean, and on the African continent.
President Harris is recognized internationally as one of the most progressive scholars and theological educators of our time. He is distinguished for making a significant contribution to the academy and the church by bridging academic theology with justice activism and ecclesia praxis. His vision for prophetic Christianity in the Black Church tradition results in numerous recognitions and speaking engagements. In 2018, he delivered the message, “The Unity of Love,” at the annual session of the Baptist World Alliance in Zurich, Switzerland.
American Baptist College, a private, Christian liberal arts educational institution, has consistently benefited under President Harris’ 20 years of leadership and the exceptional breadth of expertise he brings to the position. Dr. Harris cultivates a philosophy of educational “vitality,” investing in strategies and approaches deeply connected to teaching and learning innovations for diverse students.
President Harris remains deeply committed to sustaining and enhancing ABC’s academic distinction by building upon the College’s unique strengths in educating servant leaders and its stunning background as the “incubator” of the civil rights movement. Under his leadership, in 2013 the College was officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an HBCU.
Since his inauguration, he has continually devoted time and attention to launching initiatives shaping ABC’s future for the 21st century and beyond. Today, President Harris’ focus is on developing critical synergies supporting his vision to “Light a Flame which Lasts Forever” and capitalizing on the distinctive strengths of this 95-year old educational institution. Among his highest priorities is the promotion of ABC’s founding commitment to educate first-generation students, many who enroll facing challenging academic and economic obstacles, but, nevertheless, successfully graduate from ABC and pursue graduate degrees at other prestigious institutions.
Among many positions of leadership, Dr. Harris is a member of the board of directors for the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Chicago, representing a cross section of progressive African American faith leaders and organizations.
The radio program which Dr. Harris hosts, “Plumbline,” was launched in 2013 and is heard four times weekly on SiriusXM Channel 142-HBCU. With over 100 interviews that have been broadcast to SiriusXM’s audience of 55 million listeners, his interview guests routinely include prominent global thought leaders.
He has published numerous articles and position papers and edited or authored several books, including: What Does It Mean to Be Black and Christian: The Pulpit, Pew and the Academy in Dialogue (Townsend Press); Ministry for Social Crisis: Theology and Praxis in the Black Church Tradition (Mercer University Press), and What Does It Mean to Be Black and Christian: The Meaning of the African American Church (Townsend Press).
Dr. Harris holds a secondary faculty appointment as tenured professor in the Practice of Ministry at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. As a multi-faceted administrator, President Harris originated the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies and continues to serve as Director.
After earning the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Knoxville College and Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree from American Baptist College, he received both the Master of Divinity (M. Div.) and Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) degrees from Vanderbilt University Divinity School, where he was a Benjamin E. Mays Fellow and was awarded the Florence Conwell prize for preaching. Born and reared in Memphis, TN, Dr. Harris is married to Jacqueline (Jackie) Harris, a registered nurse by training and serves as Director of ABC’s Health & Wellness Center. They have four grown children and four grandchildren.