Talbert W. Swan II facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Grace The Right Reverend Talbert Wesley Swan II
Archdiocese	Vermont
Diocese	Greater Vermont Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, United States of America
Appointed	January 2022
Enthroned	April 2022
Predecessor	Bishop Loran Mann
Other posts	Assistant General Secretary, Director of Social Justice Ministry
Orders
Ordination	August 15, 1991
Consecration	November 9, 2014 by Charles Edward Blake, Sr.
Personal details
Born	(1965-04-24) April 24, 1965 (age 60) Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Denomination	Church of God in Christ
Spouse	Cynthia Ann Davis Swan
Children	10
Previous post	Auxiliary Bishop of Greater Massachusetts (2014–2016), Bishop of Nova Scotia (2016–2022)
Education	Hartford Seminary Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Harvard Divinity School
Motto	Bless His Name

Styles of Talbert Wesley Swan II
Reference style	His Grace The Right Reverend
Spoken style	Your Grace
Religious style	Bishop

Talbert Wesley Swan II (born April 24, 1965) is an American religious leader and community activist. He is a bishop in the Church of God in Christ, one of the largest Pentecostal churches in the United States. As a bishop, he leads churches in Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York.

Besides his church duties, Bishop Swan is known for his work in social justice. He is the president of the Greater Springfield chapter of the NAACP and hosts a radio show called The Spoken Word. His strong opinions have sometimes led to public debate. While some praise him for improving race relations, others have criticized his statements.

Early Life and Education

Talbert Swan was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Fred Allen Swan, Sr. and DeLois Fason Swan. He grew up in Springfield, where he went to Van Sickle Junior High School and Classical High School.

He later studied computer science and religious studies, earning several degrees. Swan attended well-known schools like Harvard Divinity School and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he graduated with high honors.

Career in the Church

Becoming a Minister

Swan was officially named an Elder in the church on August 15, 1991. He started his ministry working with young people. In 1994, he founded his own church, the Solid Rock Church of God in Christ. Later, this church merged with another, and Swan became the pastor of the combined congregation in 2009.

Over the years, he has held important roles in the Church of God in Christ. He has served as an assistant to the church's leadership and as the Director of Social Justice Ministry.

Serving as a Bishop

In 2014, Swan was appointed an Auxiliary Bishop, which is a bishop who assists a senior bishop. He was officially consecrated, or made a bishop, on November 9, 2014.

Two years later, in 2016, he became the bishop for the Nova Scotia region, overseeing churches in Canada and parts of the U.S. In January 2022, he was appointed to his current role as the leader of the Greater Vermont Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. In this position, he guides churches across several states in New England and New York.

Advocacy and Community Work

Bishop Swan is a well-known advocate for social justice. He has been the president of the Greater Springfield NAACP for seven terms. In this role, he has focused on improving education, health, and voting rights for his community.

Police Reform

For many years, Swan has called for changes in policing to ensure fairness and accountability. He first gained national attention in 1996 after receiving a harassing phone call from a police officer. This event led the city's mayor to form a group to address racial tensions.

Swan has organized rallies to protest police actions he believed were unjust. He has consistently asked for independent investigations when police are involved in shootings. He believes that having outside investigators helps make sure the process is fair and transparent.

He has also worked with police departments. He was a police chaplain and started a program to help young people stay away from gangs and violence. In 2021, he was appointed to a state commission created by the Massachusetts Police Reform law.

Fighting for Voting Rights

In 1996, Swan was the main person in a lawsuit against the city of Springfield. The lawsuit argued that the city's election system made it harder for minority communities to elect representatives. At the time, all city council members were elected "at-large," meaning the whole city voted for every member. Swan and others wanted a system with "ward representatives," where council members are elected by smaller neighborhoods.

After years of effort, including signature drives and legal challenges, the city's voting system was changed. In 2009, Springfield held its first election with ward representatives in 50 years. This was seen as a major victory for voting rights in the city.

In 2024, Swan was chosen to lead COGIC Counts, a national program by the Church of God in Christ. The program's goal is to encourage church members across the country to register and vote.

Political Involvement

Bishop Swan often meets with political candidates to discuss issues important to his community. He has supported several politicians, including Deval Patrick, the first African-American governor of Massachusetts. He was invited to speak at the prayer services before both of Governor Patrick's inaugurations.

He has also met with other leaders like Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey to talk about their plans for the community. Swan believes it is important for religious leaders to be involved in politics to make sure the needs of their communities are heard.

In 2022, Governor Charlie Baker appointed Swan to the Massachusetts Hate Crimes Task Force. This group works to prevent hate crimes and support victims.

Honors and Recognition

Bishop Swan has received many awards for his work in civil rights and community service. He has been honored by organizations like the National Action Network and the NAACP.

In September 2024, the city of Springfield named a street in his honor. The street where his church is located is now also called "Bishop Talbert Swan Way." City leaders praised him for his decades of activism and service to his hometown.