Conrad Tillard

Selected in 2009 as "Pastor of the Year" in Brooklyn, New York, by Church Women United, and in 2005 and 2006 by Beliefnet.com as one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the United States, Reverend Conrad B. Tillard has been a prominent figure in ecclesiastical and community activism for over three decades. His engagement extends broadly into social justice, community leadership, and media, marking significant contributions across various platforms.

Today, he serves as a former Senior Minister of the Nazarene Congregational Church, a United Church of Christ (UCC) congregation in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community in Brooklyn, New York. He also served as the Interim Senior Minister of the Eliot Congregational Church of Roxbury, demonstrating a commitment to vibrant community service and expansive ministry.

Reverend Conrad Tillard was born on September 15, 1964, in St. Louis, Missouri. He is an alumnus of Francis L. Cardozo High School in Washington, DC, and earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in African American Studies. His academic journey continued at Harvard Divinity School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. He earned a Master of Divinity in systematic theology and Christian social ethics from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, studying under Dr. James H. Cone. Additionally, he holds a Master of Theology in practical theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.

A licensed and ordained minister, Tillard was trained at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City. His ministerial affiliations include the United Missionary Baptist Association of New York, Empire Baptist Convention, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., American Baptist Churches USA, and the Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ New York Conference. He is also a lifetime member of the NAACP.

In his advocacy, Tillard has been a vocal and effective presence in various spheres. He hosted "New York Roundtable" and "Sunday Night Live," influential radio talk shows that provided platforms for discussing pertinent community issues. He currently hosts "Conversations with Conrad" on WHCR 90.3 FM in New York City. His television program "Culture Shock" on WPIX Channel 11 received multiple awards, acknowledging his efforts to address negative media imagery.

Reverend Tillard's literary contributions include books such as "The G Word: Gentrification in Our Community," "Black Lives Matter? Always Have: The History of the Movements that Preceded BLM," "Stop Telling Me What to Think: A Progressive Critique of Political Correctness," and "The Radicalization of American Youth." He is also working on his autobiography, "The Prodigal Son Imperative: In My Father’s House," detailing his ministry and spiritual journey.

His dedication to service and leadership has been recognized through awards such as the Ecumenical Leadership Award from the Community Council of Medgar College CUNY and The Culvert News’s Humanitarian Community Leadership Award, both in 2015.

Reverend Conrad B. Tillard's life and ministry are characterized by a deep commitment to advocacy, education, and leadership, guided by a philosophy that is unwaveringly focused on community empowerment and spiritual enrichment.