Conrad Tillard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Conrad Tillard
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Tillard in 2022
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Conrad Bennette Tillard Sr.
September 15, 1964 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
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| Other names | Conrad X, Conrad Muhammad |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania (BA) Harvard University Union Theological Seminary (MDiv) Princeton Theological Seminary (MTh) |
| Occupation | Baptist minister, radio host, activist, politician, author |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 5 |
Conrad Bennette Tillard (born September 15, 1964) is an American Baptist minister, radio host, activist, and politician. He is also an author.
In his early career, Tillard was a well-known minister for the Nation of Islam (NOI), a group focused on Black pride. At age 25, he was put in charge of Mosque No. 7 in Harlem. This was the same position once held by the famous leader Malcolm X.
Tillard became known as the "Hip-Hop Minister." He was famous for speaking out against violent lyrics in hip-hop music. He also helped to peacefully solve arguments between famous rappers.
In 1997, at age 32, Tillard left the NOI and returned to the Christian faith. He became a preacher at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. Later, he became the main pastor at other churches in Brooklyn, New York. He also wrote a book about his life, hosted a radio show, and taught at a college.
In 2022, Tillard ran for a seat in the New York State Senate. During the campaign, some of his past statements caused controversy. Tillard said he had changed his views over the years. He was supported by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, but he did not win the election.
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Early Life and Schooling
Conrad Tillard was born in St. Louis, Missouri. When he was young, his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to Washington, D.C.. He grew up in a Christian family. His mother later married a Baptist minister.
Tillard went to several colleges, including Lincoln University and Wesleyan University. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988 with a degree in African American studies.
Later, he studied at top schools like Harvard University. He earned advanced degrees in religion from Union Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary.
Career Journey
Nation of Islam and the "Hip-Hop Minister"
In 1984, while in college, Tillard joined the Nation of Islam (NOI). He changed his name to Conrad X and later to Conrad Muhammad. He was drawn to the group because it made him feel proud to be Black.
In 1991, he became the minister of Mosque No. 7 in Harlem. He was seen as a rising leader in the NOI. However, he left the group in 1997. He said he wanted to embrace democracy and the American political system.
Tillard earned the nickname "Hip-Hop Minister" for his work with the music community. He believed some hip-hop lyrics were harmful to young Black people. He started a group called A Movement for C.H.H.A.N.G.E. to promote positive messages in hip-hop.
He was known for helping to create peace between rappers. He helped settle a feud between the groups Wreckx-N-Effect and A Tribe Called Quest. He also advised Sean "Diddy" Combs during a rivalry.
After the rapper Tupac Shakur was killed in 1996, Tillard organized a "Day of Atonement." The event was meant to speak out against violence in music and to celebrate Shakur's life. Many famous artists, like Chuck D and The Notorious B.I.G., were invited.
Return to Christianity and Politics
After leaving the NOI, Tillard returned to Christianity. He said he had a powerful spiritual experience that brought him back to his childhood faith. In 2003, he became a preacher at the famous Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.
In 2009, he became the Senior Pastor at the Nazarene Congregational Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. In 2018, he moved to the Flatbush Tompkins Congregational Church, also in Brooklyn.
Tillard has also been involved in politics. In 2002, he tried to run for the United States Congress against longtime Congressman Charles Rangel. He was not able to get on the ballot.
In 2013, he ran for a seat on the New York City Council but did not win.
His most recent campaign was in 2022 for the New York State Senate. He ran as a more moderate candidate against the current senator, Jabari Brisport. Tillard was concerned about ideas like "defunding the police." He received support from Mayor Eric Adams but lost the election.
Author and Professor
In 2010, Tillard published a book about his life called In My Father's House. The book tells the story of his spiritual journey and his time as the "Hip-Hop Minister."
He has also worked as a radio host for the show "Conversations with Conrad!" and as a professor in the Black Studies Department at the City College of New York.
Personal Life
Conrad Tillard and his wife, Tamecca, have five children. In 2009, they named their newborn son Barack, just a few months after President Obama took office. Tillard said they were very excited and "couldn't think of a better name."
As of 2022, Tillard lived in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.
