Derrick Jackson has been named the eleventh president of American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, succeeding former president Forest Harris who led the college for over 25 years.
Founded in 1924 through a collaboration between the all-Black National Baptist Convention and the all-White Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist College was established to educate rural Black clergy for leadership in their communities. Today, the college offers programs in general studies, theology, behavioral studies, entrepreneurial leadership, and music. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Education officially recognized American Baptist College as a historically Black college. As of the fall 2023 semester, the HBCU enrolls some 50 students, 96 percent of whom are Black.
Dr. Jackson has led American Baptist College on an interim basis since July 1. He is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Gallatin, Tennessee, where he has served for over two decades. He also currently serves as executive director of the Sunday School Publishing Board, the official publisher of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
“There are a lot of good things we can do together,” Dr. Jackson told the American Baptist College community. “I’m thankful for the work of our former president, Forrest Harris, and look forward to continuing the momentum around the energy and synergy already in place. I’m looking forward to continuing what we’ve started together.”
An HBCU graduate, Dr. Jackson received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Prairie View A&M University in Texas. He holds an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management, a master of theological studies degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and a doctor of ministry degree from Lipscomb University in Nashville.
