Read the full stored bill text
H. C. R. No. 45 *HR43/R1738* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
26/HR43/R1738
PAGE 1 (DJ\KP)
To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Karriem
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING PASTOR JAMAL HARRISON 1
BRYANT, SENIOR PASTOR OF NEW BIRTH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, FOR 2
HIS FAITH LEADERSHIP, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING 3
UPON THE OCCASION OF THE 2026 LEGACY AND LEADERSHIP GALA. 4
WHEREAS, Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant has distinguished 5
himself as one of the nation's most influential faith leaders, 6
combining spiritual leadership with civic responsibility, economic 7
advocacy and grassroots organizing to uplift communities and 8
advance justice; and 9
WHEREAS, born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1971 and raised in 10
Baltimore, Maryland, Pastor Bryant's personal journey — from early 11
educational challenges to becoming the first individual admitted 12
to Morehouse College with a GED, and later earning academic 13
credentials from Duke University and Oxford University — stands as 14
a testament to perseverance, discipline and transformative 15
leadership; and 16
WHEREAS, Pastor Bryant's academic grounding in political 17
science and theology has uniquely positioned him to bridge faith 18
and public life, equipping him to address social inequities while 19
H. C. R. No. 45 *HR43/R1738* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1738
PAGE 2 (DJ\KP)
empowering congregations to engage meaningfully in civic discourse 20
and community development; and 21
WHEREAS, in 2000, Pastor Bryant founded Empowerment Temple 22
AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland, which under his leadership grew 23
into a nationally recognized ministry known for dynamic worship 24
and robust community outreach programs focused on job training, 25
financial literacy, youth mentorship and social empowerment; and 26
WHEREAS, in 2018, Pastor Bryant accepted the call to serve as 27
Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, 28
Georgia, where his leadership marked a renewed chapter of 29
revitalization, innovation and expanded community engagement for 30
one of the nation's most prominent congregations; and 31
WHEREAS, under his stewardship, New Birth Missionary Baptist 32
Church has broadened its impact through initiatives addressing 33
homelessness, educational access, workforce development and 34
economic empowerment, while embracing digital ministry platforms 35
to reach millions beyond the church's physical walls; and 36
WHEREAS, Pastor Bryant has emerged as a national voice for 37
economic justice, championing entrepreneurship, financial 38
literacy, wealth-building strategies and the support of 39
Black-owned businesses, consistently urging communities to pursue 40
generational stability and ownership; and 41
WHEREAS, Pastor Bryant's leadership extends powerfully into 42
civic engagement, where he has organized voter registration 43
efforts, advocated for informed and policy-driven participation, 44
H. C. R. No. 45 *HR43/R1738* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1738
PAGE 3 (DJ\KP)
and mobilized faith-based and grassroots coalitions to strengthen 45
democratic engagement within historically marginalized 46
communities; and 47
WHEREAS, through initiatives such as Project 5-5-5, launched 48
in partnership with civic leaders, national organizations and 49
faith-based institutions, Pastor Bryant has worked to educate, 50
register and mobilize voters, emphasizing collective action, 51
accountability and the enduring role of the Black church in 52
shaping public life; and 53
WHEREAS, Pastor Bryant has demonstrated an unyielding 54
commitment to corporate accountability and economic equity, 55
leading strategic consumer advocacy efforts that call upon major 56
corporations to honor commitments to diversity, equity and 57
inclusion and to responsibly serve the communities that sustain 58
them; and 59
WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of communication in the 60
modern era, Pastor Bryant has leveraged digital platforms, 61
podcasts and social media to disseminate sermons, teachings and 62
calls to action, expanding the reach of faith-based advocacy and 63
engaging younger generations in dialogue on justice, purpose and 64
leadership; and 65
WHEREAS, despite challenges and public scrutiny inherent to 66
visible leadership, Pastor Bryant has continued to serve with 67
transparency, resilience and conviction, reaffirming the 68
H. C. R. No. 45 *HR43/R1738* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1738
PAGE 4 (DJ\KP)
ST: Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant; commend faith
leadership, civic engagement and social justice
organizing to uplift communities upon the
occasion of the 2026 Legacy and Leadership Gala.
principles of redemption, growth and accountability central to 69
both faith and public service; and 70
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor the 71
distinguished members of the national clergy of Pastor Jamal 72
Harrison Bryant's character and brilliance, upon being honored at 73
the 2026 Legacy and Leadership Gala for his enduring contributions 74
to faith leadership, political engagement and grassroots 75
organizing, and for his role in shaping a vision of justice, 76
equity and empowerment for future generations: 77
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 78
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING 79
THEREIN, That we do hereby honor Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant for 80
his exemplary faith leadership, civic engagement and grassroots 81
advocacy, and commend him for his unwavering commitment to 82
uplifting communities, strengthening democratic participation and 83
advancing economic and social justice. 84
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 85
furnished to Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant, New Birth Missionary 86
Baptist Church and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 87