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, politician, and author. He is known for his work in both religious and community leadership.
In his younger years, Tillard was a well-known minister in the Nation of Islam (NOI), a Black nationalist organization. At age 25, he became the minister of Mosque No. 7 in Harlem, a position once held by Malcolm X. He earned the nickname "Hip-Hop Minister." He was known for speaking out against violence in hip-hop music. He also helped calm down fights between rappers.
Tillard left the Nation of Islam in 1997 when he was 32 years old. He then returned to Christianity. He became a Christian preacher at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. Later, he served as the Senior Pastor at the Nazarene Congregational Church in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Today, he is the Senior Minister at Flatbush Tompkins Congregational Church in Flatbush, Brooklyn. He has also written a book, hosted a radio show, and taught as a college professor. In 2022, he ran for New York State Senate.
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Early Life and Education
Conrad Tillard was born in St. Louis, Missouri. When he was very young, his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to Washington, D.C.. He grew up in a Christian home. His biological father was a tailor and a jazz musician. After his parents divorced, his mother married a Baptist minister. Tillard went to high school in Washington, D.C.
He attended Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), a historically Black university. He later transferred to Middlebury College and then to Wesleyan University. In 1986, he moved to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. There, he became the president of the Black Students League. He earned a bachelor's degree in African American studies in 1988.
Later, Tillard continued his studies in graduate school. He attended Harvard Divinity School and Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary (New York City). He also received a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Career Highlights
Starting Out and the Nation of Islam
In 1984, when he was 19, Tillard worked for Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign. He started in Philadelphia and then moved to Washington, D.C. He later said he felt disappointed by politics at that time.
While in college in 1984, Tillard joined the Nation of Islam (NOI). He became known as Conrad X, and later Conrad Muhammad. He was drawn to the NOI because it made him feel strong and proud of his Black heritage. He moved to New York City. At age 25, in 1991, he became the minister of Mosque No. 7 in Harlem. This was a very important position.
During his time with the NOI, Tillard made some controversial statements. He later faced internal disagreements and left the NOI in 1997. He was 32 years old. He explained that he became frustrated with the movement's direction. He felt that African Americans should embrace being American and appreciate democracy.
The Hip-Hop Minister
Tillard became known as the "Hip-Hop Minister." He spoke out against hip-hop lyrics that he felt were harmful to Black communities. He also helped calm down arguments between rappers. He appears in the documentary Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes.
In the 1990s, Tillard started an organization called A Movement for C.H.H.A.N.G.E. This group worked to promote positive hip-hop, voter registration, and community organizing for Black youth. He believed in hip-hop that uplifted people.
Tillard became well-known in the hip-hop world. He helped arrange a truce between the bands Wreckx-N-Effect and A Tribe Called Quest. He also advised Sean Combs during his disagreements with Suge Knight.
After the death of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996, Tillard organized a "Day of Atonement." This event aimed to promote unity and speak out against violence in hip-hop music. Many famous artists attended, including A Tribe Called Quest, Chuck D of Public Enemy, and The Notorious B.I.G.. About 2,000 people attended the event.
Tillard also hosted a radio talk show on WBLS in New York City. In 1999, he moved to Harlem.
Minister, Author, and Politician (2002-Present)
In 2002, Tillard decided to run for United States Congress in Harlem. He tried to get on the ballot as a Democrat but did not collect enough valid signatures.
After leaving the Nation of Islam, Tillard had a strong spiritual experience. He returned to Christianity and became a Baptist minister. In 2003, he became a preacher at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. He said, "It may have taken me a long time to get there, but I finally came home." He was ordained by Reverend Calvin Butts.
In 2005 and 2006, Beliefnet named Tillard one of "The Most Influential Spiritual Black Leaders" in the United States.
In 2009, Tillard became the Senior Pastor at The Nazarene Congregational Church in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. This church is one of the oldest African-American congregations in New York City. That year, he was named "Pastor of the Year" in Brooklyn.
After returning to Christianity, Tillard wrote a book about his life. It is called In My Father's House: The Spiritual and Political Memoir of the Man Once Known as the Hip Hop Minister, Conrad Muhammad. The book was published in 2010.
In 2013, Tillard ran for a seat on the New York City Council in Brooklyn. He received 13% of the votes.
In 2015, Tillard became the host and executive producer of "Conversations with Conrad!" on WHCR-FM radio in New York City.
In 2016, he became a professor in the Black Studies Department at City College of New York.
In 2018, Tillard became the Senior Minister at Flatbush Tompkins Congregational Church in Flatbush, Brooklyn. This church is more than 100 years old.
In 2022, Tillard ran for New York State Senate. He ran against State Senator Jabari Brisport. Tillard presented himself as a more moderate candidate. He disagreed with Brisport's support for defunding the police. Tillard acknowledged that he had made controversial comments decades ago. However, he stated that those comments did not reflect who he was now. New York City Mayor Eric Adams supported Tillard, saying he believed Tillard had changed. Brisport won the election.
Personal Life
Conrad Tillard and his wife, Tamecca, have five children: Amir, Najmah, Conrad, Jr., Zuriel, and Barack. When his son Barack was born in 2009, Tillard and his wife were very excited. They felt it was a perfect name, especially since President Obama had just become president. As of 2022, Tillard lives in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He has also lived in Harlem, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill in New York City.
