Episode 54. Dr. Kevin W. Cosby – Senior Pastor, St. Stephen Baptist Church & President, Simmons College of Kentucky
Dr. Kevin Cosby is driven to see people grow and transform their minds, lives, and relationships.
Dr. Cosby is the senior pastor of St. Stephen Church in Louisville, which has grown from 500 to approximately 10,000 members.
Outreach magazine named St. Stephen one of the 100 largest churches in America.
He is also president of Simmons College of Kentucky, the oldest black-owned and operated education institution in Kentucky.
Dr. Cosby has held administrative and teaching assignments at Kentucky State University, the University of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the United Theological Seminary.
His exceptional oratory skills have produced lecture engagements at universities and institutions worldwide, including Harvard University.
He received a bachelor of science from Eastern Kentucky University, a master of divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry from United Theological Seminary.
For more than 40 years, Dr. Kevin W. Cosby has served as the Senior Pastor of St. Stephen Baptist Church, the most prominent African-American Church in Kentucky and the state’s largest private employer of African-Americans. In 2005, Dr. Cosby was inaugurated as the 13th President of Simmons College of Kentucky. In 2007, he led the once fledgling college to reclaim its original campus, lost during the Great Depression, and has since expanded to three campus locations. Under Dr. Cosby’s visionary leadership, the college earned national accreditation from the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and developed its degree programs. Dr. Cosby uncovered the rich history of Simmons, established by formerly enslaved people. In 2014, Simmons was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Historically Black College & University. During his first decade there, Dr. Cosby refused to take a salary to stabilize the college and returned more than $700,000.
Dr. Cosby was the convener of The Angela Project, named after the first enslaved person to step off the slave ship in Jamestown, VA, in 1619. The Angela Project was a three-year conference that led up to the 400th-year commemoration of Slavery in America in 2019. Dr. Cosby explained, “The purpose of The Angela Project was to reengage the church in activism, to get back to our roots as proponents of justice.”
He is one of our nation’s most influential leaders: He was inducted into the Gallery of Great Black Kentuckians at the Kentucky State Capitol (2015). At the request of Muhammad Ali, he served as one of the eulogists at his Funeral (2016) and was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College (2017).
Dr. Cosby released a new book in the Spring of 2021: “Getting to the Promised Land: Black America and the Unfinished Work of The Civil Rights Movement.” The book is a Biblical commentary on the American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) published by Westminster John Knox Press.
Dr. Cosby has an earned Doctor of Ministry degree and is pursuing his second doctorate – a Ph.D. at Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, OH.
Dr. Cosby is married to the former Barnetta Turner. They have two adult children (Christine Nicole & Kevin Christopher).
Dr. Kevin W. Cosby is a prominent religious leader, educator, and advocate for social justice, particularly within the African-American community. He serves as the senior pastor of St. Stephen Church in Louisville, Kentucky, one of the most prominent African-American congregations in the state, and as the President of Simmons College of Kentucky, a historically black college (HBCU).
Key aspects of Dr. Kevin W. Cosby’s career and contributions include:
- Leadership at St. Stephen Church: Under Dr. Cosby’s leadership, St. Stephen Church has grown significantly, both in membership and as a community resource. He is known for his dynamic preaching and for addressing contemporary social issues from a biblical perspective.
- Presidency at Simmons College of Kentucky: Dr. Cosby has played a crucial role in revitalizing Simmons College of Kentucky. Under his leadership, the college has focused on empowering African-American students through education and has been recognized as an HBCU (Historically Black College or University).
- Advocacy and Community Engagement: Dr. Cosby advocates for social justice, racial equality, and economic empowerment in the African-American community. He often addresses issues of systemic racism, poverty, and education.
- Education and Background: Dr. Cosby is well-educated in theology and ministry, holding degrees from institutions such as Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary. His educational background informs his pastoral work and leadership in higher education.
- Author and Speaker: He is an author of several books and a sought-after speaker, particularly on issues related to the African-American church, community development, and social justice.
- Community Programs and Initiatives: Under his leadership, both St. Stephen Church and Simmons College of Kentucky have launched various programs and initiatives aimed at community development, education, and helping individuals and families overcome socio-economic challenges.
Dr. Kevin W. Cosby’s ministry, education, and advocacy work reflect a deep commitment to uplifting and empowering African-American communities through faith-based leadership, education, and social action.