American Baptist College president retiring after Nashville HBCU's 100th anniversary
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — In North Nashville, an historic college celebrates a major milestone with its 100th anniversary. A quarter of American Baptist College's legacy had Dr. Forrest Harris, Sr. at the helm. He's now readying for retirement in June after 25 years as president.
'For any institution to exist 100 years, it has built a significant legacy,' he said. 'Producing, in our case, students who lead in areas of social justice. And I'm very proud of that legacy.'
The school sits on what's known as the 'Holy Hill' — a small campus towering over North Nashville just above the Cumberland River.
'Beyond those black steel gates is nothing but a big family from the students who stay on campus and share resources to the faculty and staff who will check in on you,' said ABC alumnus Mondale Smiley. 'It's a really vibrant campus but it's one of those hidden gems.'
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He discovered that hidden gem by what can only be seen as divine intervention from an American Baptist College graduate, and his pastor, all the way in Detroit, Michigan.
'I'd heard nothing about American Baptist,' he recalled. 'But as I continued to progress, I just felt like God was really wanting me to give it a try. I tried to submit my security deposit for the other institution several times and it never worked.'
He graduated last year and now stands on the shoulders of the school's legendary students.
'The Reverend C. T. Vivian, public intellectual, the Dr. Bernard Lafayette, who was the former president that I took over from,' said. Dr. Harris.
One of American Baptist College's most notable alums was Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and late Congressman, John Lewis. From Freedom Rides throughout the South and integrating segregated lunch counters in Nashville, his non-violent fight against social inequality began between classes at ABC.
'They tell a story that he didn't even make it to his own graduation from American Baptist College because he was actively in jail,' said Smiley. 'They have videos of him right behind us on the Cumberland bank telling stories about how he doesn't understand why his family would push up against the grain of him being here.'
Well before Lewis' fight during the Civil Rights Movement, American Baptist College opened in 1924 as American Baptist Theological Seminary. It was founded through an unprecedented collaboration between the all-Black National Baptist Convention USA and the all-white Southern Baptist Convention to educate rural Black clergy for leadership in their communities.
'This school's mission is to prepare, educate and train, equip young leaders for Christian service and social justice in the world,' said Dr. Harris, adding that they also do much more than the school's name might indicate. 'We provide the kind of educational experience curriculum that gives them a lens to see whatever vocation they choose, to see the way in which justice factors into their decisions as a professional.'
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As he passes the torch to the school's next leader, Dr. Harris hopes they can continue their mission in the digital age while helping communities understand the critical roles of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
'Nashville would not be the Nashville it is today without American Baptist College, without the contributions that our students have made and all the other HBCUs in Nashville,' said Dr. Harris. 'If HBCUs cease to exist, the nation will lose a valuable asset for education and development of citizenship, both locally and globally, to advance this country in its vision for democracy.'
A Legacy of Leadership Gala event on June 28 will launch a leadership and legacy fund to help sustain of the future of American Baptist College. It's at the Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College. Email roadto100@abcnash.edu for more information.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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