The First Yes

The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Q. James is a native of New York City. He is the second son of three children born to the late Earl M. and the late Joan E. James. Reverend James was educated in the New York City public schools, and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx, New York. Dr. James is a graduate of Clinton Junior College in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, from which he graduated in 1980 with honors; and Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina, from which he graduated in 1984, and earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury in May, 2006. Dr. James began his ministry in 1975. He was ordained by the late Bishop Herbert Bell Shaw in 1978, and was ordained an Elder in the A.M.E. Zion Church by the late Bishop Ruben L. Speaks in 1984. He served as pastor of Pierce Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Clarkton, North Carolina, Blackwell Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Jamestown, New York, Bailey Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church in Buffalo, New York (which he organized in 1987), Duryee Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Schenectady, New York, and currently, Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Rochester, New York. Dr. James is the Director of Evangelism for the Western New York Annual Conference, Secretary of the Western New York Annual Conference, and serves as a board member representing the Northeastern Episcopal District on the Bureau of Evangelism of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Dr. James is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is also Adjunct Assistant Professor of Preaching at Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York. He has an adopted son, Frank, and two granddaughters, Ajaya and Ajanae.