I was deeply honored to join my good friend Bishop T.D. Jakes and his wife Mrs. Serita Jakes recently at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, as he was honored with the Museum’s prestigious ‘Blessing of the Elders’ Award.

John Hope Bryant Presenting the Award to Bishop TD Jakes

I was asked to formally introduce Bishop Jakes and to present the award, and here’s some of what I had to say about my amazing friend…

“[T.D. Jakes] is the ultimate translator and can communicate to all people, from business to ministry to global philanthropy.

On Sunday, his message of hope and love is reaching millions around this globe, and by Monday he’s in his director’s chair producing some of the most compelling faith-based films and stories.

On Tuesday, he’s overseeing real estate development that will bring affording housing and economic opportunities to thousands, and by Wednesday he’s helping the formerly incarcerated through his [Texas] offender reentry program.

Now through his foundation, he’s preparing people for the 21st-century workforce. T.D. Jakes is a man who understands the Scripture’s charge to ‘go into all the world and preach the gospel.’ It’s an honor to know him and call him friend.”

There are few credible, universal, truly international leaders in the world, who happen to also be African-American but Bishop Jakes is one of them, along with individuals such as my mentor and personal hero (and a shared role model) Ambassador Andrew J. Young. But Bishop Jakes is truly in a league all his own, as I tried to capture in my introductory remarks.

Some of what I had to say in fullness on that evening ‘may’ have been known to many of those in the audience, but I said it ‘in complete fullness’ for the record. The historical record that is, at and for the Museum of the Bible. The Museum of the Bible is a part of the prestigious Smithsonian Museum System in Washington, DC.

A few of the outlets who are talking about Bishop Jakes’ Award include the Gospel Music Association, to AFRO American Newspapers, to even Yahoo Finance!

If you are not well read or researched on TD Jakes, take a little time to do that now. If you are not following his ministry and his works to lift people up, you’re missing out, and do that next!

John Hope Bryant, entrepreneur, fellow builder (and friend)

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