Bro. Chad King: Faith, Freedom, and Civic Responsibility in Action

Bro. Chad King stands at the intersection of faith, activism, and leadership, a man whose work bridges spiritual empowerment, social justice, and community engagement. Recently ordained as a minister with the Shrine of the Black Madonna Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church, Bro. King’s journey reflects a life devoted to service and liberation. His recent ordination, announced on Easter Sunday, was the culmination of years of service within the church, where he serves as both Director of Education and a member of the Board of Trustees.

As Director of Education, Bro. King leads the development of curriculum rooted in Black Liberation Theology, a framework that reinterprets Christianity through the lived experiences and struggles of African and African American people. In this role, he teaches Best Self Theology, a form of study that draws a through line from Scripture to the African experience, helping congregants connect their faith to their cultural identity and ongoing fight for liberation. His approach emphasizes that “nothing is more sacred than the liberation of Black people,” a guiding principle inherited from the Shrine’s founder, Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman (formerly Rev. Albert B. Cleage Jr.)

Beyond the pulpit, Bro. King brings this same liberationist lens to his civic work as Chair of the “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” Committee within Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Lambda Chapter. Under his leadership, the program has expanded from local initiatives to statewide and regional impact. Bro. King and his committee have hosted Conversations with Candidates, organized On the Issues forums, and collaborated with Michigan’s Secretary of State to launch the unique “Vote with Alphas” voter registration URL making Gamma Lambda the only Divine Nine organization in Michigan with a direct link to the state’s registration portal

His efforts have brought figures like Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Gary Peters, and Detroit’s mayoral candidates to the Alpha House, creating civic spaces where citizens and leaders can engage directly on policy, equity, and empowerment.

While Bro. King candidly admits he’s “not a fan of politics,” he insists that political engagement is essential for Black advancement: “If we don’t do politics, politics will do us in.” For him, civic literacy and participation are sacred duties intertwined with economic justice, environmental equity, and educational access. His leadership philosophy embraces a both/and approach, working within institutions while also applying pressure from outside to ensure accountability and progress.

Bro. King’s commitment to self-determination also extends into the realm of personal defense and community safety. As co-founder and president of the Black Bottom Gun Club (Detroit chapter) and Midwest Regional Director for the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA), he advocates for responsible firearm ownership, historical literacy, and the right to self-defense within Black communities. Representing 14 states and over 20 chapters, Bro. King leads regional training, legislative awareness, and educational outreach. He has spoken at national conferences, including the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and soon Arizona State University’s Second Amendment Symposium, exploring the intersection of race, law, and armed self-defense in America.

Whether in the sanctuary, at the ballot box, or on the range, Chad King’s life exemplifies a holistic vision of liberation, spirituality, and community. He often says he carries three things wherever he goes: “Alpha, my church, and my gun club.” Together, they form within him a modern trinity of purpose, each representing his unwavering conviction that faith, freedom, and responsibility must work in tandem to serve justice, community, and Black self-determination. Thank you, Bro. King for your service!