Bishop T.D. Jakes Announces Plan to Install Touré Roberts and Sarah Jakes Roberts as Next Senior Pastors of The Potter's House

In a deeply symbolic Sunday announcement, Bishop T.D. Jakes—globally recognized faith leader, cultural influencer and founder of The Potter's House—unveiled his plans to appoint Pastors Touré Roberts and Sarah Jakes Roberts as senior pastors of the Dallas-based megachurch. This milestone moment signifies a sacred generational handoff within one of the world's most influential churches, while affirming Bishop Jakes' commitment to evolving ministry leadership for the future. Their appointment will happen later in 2025.

"For nearly 50 years, I've had the honor of connecting with and serving the local and global community as a pastor, global faith leader and unwavering truth teller," Jakes said. "As I enter my 50th year in the public spotlight, I recognize the urgent need to address more challenges of our time, particularly the looming threat of a disappearing middle class, social unrest and closing opportunity gaps. This pivotal moment calls me to focus on a legacy of economic empowerment, serving as a bridge between community, culture, and corporate alliances to help position our nation for a stronger future. Elevating Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah as the new senior pastors of The Potter's House, we will honor our rich history while embracing a future that demands innovative, ministry for the coming age. This elevation is not a departure but a rebirth. I will never stop preaching and will continue to minister. This moment isn't an ending, it's an expansion. We are not only passing a mantle we are multiplying impact. Leadership is not static, it is dynamic. It demands the courage to evolve."

Bishop Jakes and Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah released a public letter available here, expressing the spiritual and strategic thought behind the transition.

Sunday's announcement follows a season of profound transition for Jakes, including a widely publicized health emergency he suffered in November 2024, which he spoke about in detail during an exclusive on The TODAY show and the culmination of the International Leadership Summit (ILS), a signature global gathering he launched over two decades ago. Themed "Changing of the Guard," this final ILS served as a prophetic prelude to this very moment. Held April 10–12, 2025, in Orlando, the summit gathered visionaries across industries and generations to address one of the most critical questions of our time: how do we prepare the next generation to lead?

Jakes will remain Chairman of the Board and spiritual overseer of The Potter's House, providing vision, counsel, and legacy leadership as the next generation steps into their senior pastoral roles.

Years in the Making

Sunday's announcement reflects the fulfillment of a multi-year strategy designed to ensure the continuity, integrity, and innovation of The Potter's House legacy. Highlights of this journey include:

2022: The Roberts family officially relocated from Los Angeles to Dallas, to take on the roles signifying a deep commitment to the ministry's growth.

2022: The historic farewell of the annual Woman, Thou Art Loosed conference to continuing the global Woman Evolve movement, led by Pastor Sarah.

2023: Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah were installed as assistant pastors of The Potter's House, taking on significant leadership responsibilities.

Generational Leadership for a New Era

Pastor Touré, visionary leader, entrepreneur and founder of ONE | A Potter's House Church and Pastor Sarah, New York Times bestselling author, media influencer and founder of Woman Evolve, have emerged as vital voices for this moment. Their leadership model bridges generational divides and reimagines what modern spiritual leadership can look like, faithful to its foundation yet responsive to cultural shifts.

"We are committed to building a ministry that carries the heart of Bishop Jakes into a future that is both faithful and forward-thinking," said Pastor Touré. Pastor Sarah added, "This is not just a call to serve. It's a mandate to lead with compassion, clarity, and courage."

Their elevation reflects the belief that legacy is not something to preserve, it's something to propel. By entrusting this next chapter to leaders who carry both the heart of the house and a clear-eyed vision for the future, Bishop Jakes affirms what thriving institutions have always known: when successors are prepared with purpose, the mission doesn't just continue, it multiplies.

As they continue to build and foster community throughout the region, Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah will also look to have presence and activate ministry within North Dallas as well.

Beyond the Pulpit: A Legacy Reimagined

While transitioning daily pastoral duties, T.D. Jakes will expand his global footprint and continue his work as Chairman of the T.D. Jakes Group, which consists of T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures, T.D. Jakes Enterprises and T.D. Jakes Foundation.

Chairman Jakes' businesses, social impact companies and partnerships will amplify his efforts to address critical social and economic issues, including workforce readiness, entrepreneurial investment, and community development. This evolution underscores his lifelong commitment to blending ministry with actionable solutions for systemic change.

Expanding his reach and deepening his impact beyond the pulpit, Jakes will soon speak to millions more daily through a new partnership with iHeartMedia, in which he will launch his own slate of shows with iHeartPodcasts.  The slate will kick off with his new podcast "My Next Chapter" where he will explore the shifts happening in our world and our lives and how we, together, can rebuild what's been broken, especially during this time of national uncertainty. T.D. Jakes has long been at the forefront of this transformation bringing faith into boardrooms, soundstages, underserved neighborhoods, and now, into a future of greater strategic influence.

As part of his continued commitment to building economic opportunity, T.D. Jakes will lead the return of the Good Soil Forum  to Dallas this June—a signature forum he founded to convene investors, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders to equip small business owners with resources, capital access, and mentorship needed to thrive. Additionally in August 2025, the T.D. Jakes Group will curate a multi-day global exchange summit designed to catalyze economic empowerment, innovation, and cross-continental collaboration on Martha's Vineyard, known for its historic significance as a safe haven and incubator of cultural excellence.

Pamela Simms-Mackey: First Black Woman President of the American Board of Pediatrics

Pamela Simms-Mackey, an HBCU alumna and leader in the field of pediatric medical education, has been named the first Black woman president of the board of directors of the American Board of Pediatrics.

Dr. Simms-Mackey began a long association with the ABP in 2009. She served on the General Pediatrics Exam Committee for 10 years and the Maintenance of Certification Committee for six years before joining the BOD in 2020. She is the Chair of Pediatrics and Chief of Graduate Medical Education at Alameda Health System. She also is a volunteer Clinical Professor of Pediatrics with the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and Immediate Past Chair of The California Wellness Foundation’s Board of Directors.

FREESTYLE DIGITAL MEDIA RELEASES HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY “GREENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT”

Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has just released the historical documentary feature GREENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT, which is now available to rent/own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, starting April 25, 2025. A portion of the documentary's proceeds will be donated to Tulsa nonprofits supporting Greenwood rebuilding efforts.

In addition, Grammy-winning music producer Madukwu Chinwah wrote and produced the original track “Do Something” for GREENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT soundtrack. His song, along with composer cues and other tracks inspired by the film, will be released on all platforms on April 17 through Londyn Town Music.

A century after the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the documentary GREENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT follows Greenwood Avenue's ongoing fight against segregation, racism, and hate while rebuilding its Black-owned businesses and homes. In 1921, Tulsa, Oklahoma, had a population of around 2.1 million, with just over 100,000 living in the city. Back then, racism was widespread, and it was inevitable that a riot would occur. On May 31st of that year, 3,200 white residents affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan carried out an 18-hour massacre in Greenwood, a prosperous African-American neighborhood in Tulsa. This tragic event, known as the Tulsa Race Massacre, left hundreds dead and thousands homeless and cast a dark shadow over the city's history. Tulsa was experiencing economic growth, driven by the oil industry, but it was also marked by severe segregation. The city's Black population of 10,000 primarily resided in Greenwood, a thriving business district often called "Black Wall Street." This prosperous community was targeted by the white mob, resulting in one of the most severe incidents of racial violence in U.S. history. This 105-minute documentary highlights and explores the aftermath and rebirth of Black Wall Street.

Written by Todd Roberts, Terry Baccus and Karen Reese, GREENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT was directed by Karen Reese and Terry Baccus and produced by John Wayne S. III and Karen Reese. Writer/editor Todd Roberts has worked on several films about Black America and produced over 400 documentary-style TV episodes across 22 countries. As an award-winning storyteller, his work has aired on National Geographic, TLC, PBS, and The Travel Channel. Those interviewed and profiled in the documentary include Terry Baccus, George Thomas, Bishop Carlton Pearson, Heather Nash, Jennettie P. Marshall, Mayor GT Bynum, and Bryce Harris.

“GREENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT captures the allure of Deep Greenwood -- not just in its moment of destruction, but in the resilience that followed,” said filmmakers Karen Reese and Terry Baccus.

“This is a story not only of loss, but of revival -- a journey from devastation to recovery -- that shows how a united community can rebuild and stand as a lasting model of Black entrepreneurship and economic empowerment,” said Tulsa resident Jennettie P. Marshall.

Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire GREENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT directly with the filmmakers and Londyn Town Pictures.

THE GREENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT website: www.greenwoodaveproject.com

“GREENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT” Trailer

NAACP and the LDF sue the U.S. Department of Education

The NAACP, and the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), acting on its behalf, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education's attempts to prohibit and chill lawful efforts to ensure that Black students are afforded equal educational opportunities. The Education Department issued a "Dear Colleague" Letter on Feb. 14, followed by a "Frequently Asked Questions" document on Feb. 28 and a certification requirement on April 3 — all of which include factual inaccuracies and misinterpretations of civil rights laws and threaten the termination of critical public education funds. The defendants named in the suit are the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor.  

 

The lawsuit alleges that the Education Department's communications to recipients of federal funds present a legally flawed and unsupported interpretation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit additionally alleges that the Education Department is intentionally discriminating against Black students through its efforts to defund federal grantees based on erroneous facts and interpretations of law. The Dear Colleague Letter and related certification already have had devastating consequences for educational communities across the nation. The plaintiff is asking the federal district court to enjoin the Education Department from moving forward with its enforcement actions, as articulated in the "Dear Colleague" Letter and related certification requirement.  

 

"The Department of Education's recent "Dear Colleague" letter and other communications are not only deeply misleading — they are a gross distortion of reality that attempts to erase the lived experiences of millions of Black and Brown children in this country," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. "The Department of Education, tasked with a responsibility to protect the civil rights of all children, has instead claimed systemic racism doesn't exist — effectively sanctioning the very discrimination that our civil rights laws were designed to prevent. Meanwhile, children of color consistently attend segregated, chronically underfunded schools where they receive less educational opportunities and more discipline. Denying these truths doesn't make them disappear — it deepens the harm. We are asking the court to act swiftly to our request and will continue to advocate for students of color to be treated fairly and equitably." 

 

"For decades, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has worked to ensure that all students — including Black students who have historically faced and continue to face barriers that deny them equal educational opportunities — can receive the necessary support, tools, and resources to thrive academically," said Michaele N. Turnage Young, Senior Counsel and Co-Manager of the Equal Protection Initiative at the Legal Defense Fund. "Yet, in direct conflict with its mission, the Office for Civil Rights has baselessly characterized vital efforts to advance racial equality to themselves be racially discriminatory, thus weaponizing the anti-discrimination laws against the very communities they are meant to protect. These threats have incited a wave of chaos, uncertainty, and fear within our classrooms, cultural centers, and student and parent groups across the country, and run afoul of our nation's ideals. We ask the Court to enjoin these actions by the Department of Education — and will continue to fight until the constitutional promise of racial equality in education, set forth in Brown v. Board of Education,has been fulfilled."  

 

"Every student should have an equal opportunity to receive a quality education," said Katrina Feldkamp, Assistant Counsel at the Legal Defense Fund. "The current Administration's attacks are a threat to longstanding efforts to ensure truthful, inclusive curricula and instruction; equal access to selective programs; affinity groups where students of various identities can find support and belonging; and policies and programs that eradicate bias in discipline and hiring. These threats seek to undo decades of progress towards equality for all in public education. We proudly represent the NAACP, whose members include Black parents and students in every state of our nation, to protect and uphold Black students' rights to equal educational opportunity." 

 

The filing today follows the previous advocacy challenging the U.S. Department of Education's recent efforts to dial back progress towards racial justice, including another lawsuit filed to stop the Trump Administration from dismantling the Education Department. 

 

Read the full lawsuit here. A virtual media briefing will be held today at 1pm, registration link here.  

 

Hampton University Wins 2025 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Championship

After more than 122 rounds of intense gameplay, Hampton University emerged victorious at the 36th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), America's premier academic competition for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students, securing a $100,000 institutional grant from Honda. Over 200 students and coaches from 32 HBCUs competed in the HCASC National Championship Tournament, which was held near the American Honda corporate headquarters in Torrance, California.

"Congratulations to the scholars from Hampton University for their incredible achievement in winning the 2025 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge championship title," said Jasmine Cockfield, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge project lead at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "HCASC provides HBCU students with a national platform to pursue their passion for learning and love of knowledge, while building leadership skills, and forging lifelong friendships. We applaud the tremendous dedication and academic talent shown by all the students who participated in this year's program."

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a dynamic, year-round program that highlights the academic talents of HBCU students nationwide. Each four-student team competes in an exhilarating head-to-head showdown, rapidly answering questions on topics ranging from history and science to math and pop culture. HCASC encourages students to broaden their knowledge across diverse subjects while honing their leadership and teamwork abilities. Competing against peers from other HBCUs, participants build networks, receive mentorship from HCASC alumni and Honda associates, and create "Friends for Life." Beyond the competition, Honda offers development seminars to equip students with the skills they need to thrive after graduation.

Hampton University Clinches First HCASC National Championship

In a two-game sweep during the HCASC National Championship final match, Hampton University triumphed over Tennessee State University by accurately answering questions on history, science, literature, religion, the arts, and pop culture. Hampton University outperformed teams from 31 HBCUs at the National Championship Tournament, after winning regional competitions throughout the academic year. This year, 60 HBCUs participated in the annual HCASC program.

The winning team was coached by Stella Nelms and includes team captain Miles Cross, a freshman majoring in History and Pre-Law from Douglasville, Ga.; Jaron Haynes, a freshman majoring in Business Administration from Snellville, Ga.; Skai White, a sophomore majoring in Mathematics from Stockbridge, Ga.; and Donte Wyatt, Jr., a sophomore majoring in Biology from San Diego, Calif. This marks Hampton University's 30th appearance in the HCASC National Championship Tournament and its first win.

"I am so proud. Seeing our Hampton team grow together and develop, trusting each other to get to this point is amazing," said coach Nelms. "Knowing everyone can see how they've come together as a team and a family, that's what HCASC is about."

Runner-up Tennessee State University received a $40,000 grant from Honda. The third and fourth place finishers – Morehouse College and Tuskegee University – were each awarded a $26,000 grant from Honda. Howard University, Lincoln University-Pennsylvania, North Carolina A&T State University, and Prairie View A&M University rounded out the "Great 8" teams in the HCASC Finals. Honda is providing more than $500,000 in institutional grants to the participating schools.

As a bonus for this year's tournament, Honda joined forces with Thurgood Marshall College Fund to award individual grants to the students from the winning and runner-up teams. The scholars from Hampton University each received $2,500 while the scholars from Tennessee State University each received $1,500.