On September 5, 2024, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., elected Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven, CT., as their next president. His election brings to a close the 10-year administration of current President Dr. Jerry Young, who was first elected in 2014.
Dr. Kimber’s victory was historic as he received the largest percentage of votes in recent history, with a 69 percent margin. With his election, Dr. Boise Kimber becomes the 19th president to lead the convention. He will have an initial five-year term, with the opportunity to run for a second and final term, according to the convention’s bylaws. Dr. Kimber has been an active member of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., for more than 40 years and “it has been his loyalty and love for the convention and its members that secured his victory,” according to campaign manager, Rev. Dr. Donald Greene of South Carolina.
This year’s National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., meeting marked the 144th Annual Session and the last time outgoing President, Dr. Jerry Young, Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Jackson, Ms., presided with more than 4700 registrants participating in the annual session. Noted speakers who appeared before the body included the Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson, Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court; the Honorable Tom Vilsack, United States Secretary of Agriculture; the Honorable Wes More, Governor of the State of Maryland, and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.
Dr. Kimber, who holds a masters from Yale and a Doctorate in Ministry from United Theological Seminar, has served the convention in several roles for more than 40 years.