About Dr. Kevin R. Johnson
A visionary leader, believer, and builder, Dr. Kevin R. Johnson is a proven executive in transforming organizations into innovative, high-performing, fiscally-sound, and pioneering institutions.
Called in June 2024 to become the 21st Senior Pastor of The Abyssinian Baptist Church, Dr. Johnson succeeds his mentor, the late Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, marking a new chapter in Abyssinian’s storied legacy. As the first African American Baptist Church in New York State and one of the oldest in the nation, Abyssinian is renowned as the “flagship” church and holds a place of profound significance in American religious and cultural life. Since answering God’s call to serve as pastor, Dr. Johnson has prayerfully led with humility and vision. Under his leadership, more than 430 new members have joined the church, and new outreach initiatives have been established to meet the community’s needs with love and empowerment.
One of Dr. Johnson’s most meaningful early achievements has been the completion of the Dr. Calvin O. Butts III Educational and Cultural Center (COB III), bringing to life his mentor’s vision for the Harlem community. The $14 million project, launched in 2020 but paused after Dr. Butts’ passing in 2022, became Dr. Johnson’s personal mission to see through—both as a tribute to his mentor and a gift to Harlem. Determined to complete it within his first year as pastor, he guided the project to its opening on September 14, 2025. Today, the COB III is a vibrant five-story center dedicated to equipping generations through education, arts, and financial literacy in Harlem.
Prior to his role at Abyssinian, Dr. Johnson founded and led Dare to Imagine Church, Inc. in Philadelphia. Starting with just 20 people meeting in his home, he grew the congregation to 1,500 members in seven years, developing a $2.2 million, 6.8-acre campus in the Mt. Airy section of the city. This growth was not just in numbers, but in impact: the church has donated over $750,000 to support local organizations providing services to citizens in need.
Dr. Johnson’s influence extends beyond the pulpit.As President and CEO of Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), Dr. Johnson developed a new workforce-training vision and launched career-sustaining programs in banking, energy, construction, and technology. Under his leadership, OIC and its affiliates’ budget increased from $2M to over $5M. In 2017, he secured a $6.6M alternative school contract from The School District of Philadelphia, making OIC the first to provide over-aged and under-credited youth a pathway to earning a high school diploma and a direct pipeline to life-sustaining careers. Additionally, he launched BankWork$, the first bank training program in the US Northeast for young adults from low-income communities. While expanding OIC’s workforce programs, he successfully maintained a nearly 80 percent job placement rate for jobs in the hospitality industry.
His commitment to community development is further evidenced by his role as founder and President & CEO of Dare to Imagine Community Development Corporation. Previously, as President & CEO of Bridge of Hope Community Development Corporation, he collaborated with The Goldenberg Group to build a $100 million, 14-story student apartment tower for Temple University, demonstrating his ability to bring large-scale projects to fruition.
Currently, he serves as the chair of o the Urban Theological Institute of United Lutheran Seminary. Previously, he served as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of Lincoln University and on the boards of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, City of Philadelphia Workforce Steering Committee, and PHL Diversity. A recipient of numerous awards and citations, Newsweek featured him as one of the “up-and-coming” national post-Civil Rights ministers, The Philadelphia Tribune identified him as a “mover-and-shaker” in the City, and Morehouse College inducted him into the prestigious Board of Preachers. Dr. Johnson has been a guest on CNN, NBC, MSNBC, ABC, FOX NEWS, and other national media. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Alpha Boulé), and a lifetime member of the Morehouse College National Alumni Association.
A Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude graduate of Morehouse College, Dr. Johnson was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. and Oprah Winfrey scholarships. He earned a Master of Divinity degree as a Union Scholar from Union Theological Seminary, and later earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Organizational Leadership and Transformational Learning from Columbia University.
He is married to Kimya S. P. Johnson, Esq., an employment lawyer and workplace diversity expert. They are proud parents of their three children—a son who is a graduate of Morehouse College and New York University, and two daughters, a junior and a freshman at Spelman College.
DR. KEVIN R. JOHNSON'S INSPIRING VISION: EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO DARE TO IMAGINE & LIVE THEIR BEST LIFE
With a passion for helping people dare to imagine and live a better life for God, Dr. Johnson shares how his experiences growing up in a tough neighborhood have shaped his approach to working with people to impact communities..