Mr. Cleveland A. Thompson, Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church (EMBC) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was elevated to Bishop in the Lord’s Church under the leadership of Bishop James W. E. Dixon, II, Presiding Prelate. Bishop Thompson is an influential and charismatic preacher, as well as an insightful teacher who knew from the age of 10 that God had called him to a significant purpose.

In November 2006, Bishop Thompson preached his first sermon as Emmanuel’s Senior Pastor and has since helped lead the church to unprecedented growth in the Colorado Springs area. Through his stewardship, faith-based principles, vision, and leadership approach, Emmanuel became the first predominantly African American church in Southern Colorado serving the community from two locations: Northeast and Southwest Colorado Springs.

Mr. Cleveland A. Thompson is married to Bernice Thompson. They are proud parents of Duriel, Shawndell, Dana, and Jacey, and are elated about their grandson, Jrue.

Dr. Eric Graham is a seasoned executive leader, cybersecurity strategist, and community servant with more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of information technology, risk management, and organizational leadership. A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Graham brings a mission-focused mindset shaped by decades of service, where he led large, complex teams and managed multimillion-dollar operations in high-stakes environments supporting national defense and homeland security.

Throughout his military and civilian career, Dr. Graham has built a reputation for aligning technology with mission outcomes. He has overseen enterprise IT portfolios supporting organizations such as NORAD and USNORTHCOM, managing budgets exceeding $80 million while directing cross-functional teams of military personnel, civilians, and contractors. His expertise spans cybersecurity, third-party risk management, strategic planning, and governance frameworks, with a particular focus on applying standards such as NIST, ISO, and COBIT to real-world organizational challenges.

In addition to his technical leadership, Dr. Graham is a scholar-practitioner holding a Doctor of Business Administration, with research interests centered on healthcare cybersecurity, vendor risk management, operational leadership, and enterprise risk integration. He is also a certified Project Management Professional, further strengthening his ability to lead large-scale transformation initiatives from concept through execution.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Graham is deeply committed to service and leadership development. He currently serves as Director of Operations for Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, where he supports a dynamic congregation of more than 2,000 members and 36 ministries. In this role, he leads strategic operations, develops leadership training programs, and implements organizational systems that strengthen ministry effectiveness and community impact.

Dr. Graham is also an active civic leader and proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he contributes to mentorship, education, and community service initiatives. He is especially passionate about expanding opportunities for young people through mentorship programs, HBCU advocacy, and leadership development initiatives designed to empower the next generation.

A visionary leader with a servant’s heart, Dr. Graham is dedicated to building resilient organizations, developing people of character and courage, and advancing missions that create lasting impact in both the public and private sectors.

Dr. Graham is married to Sandra Graham, who is also an Associate Minister. Together they have two children, Shoncire’ and Eric Jr.

Mr. Walter Campbell serves as Chairman of the Deacon Ministry for Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Campbell has also served as EMBC Director of Finance and as a Major in the United States Air Force. He is a graduate of Tuskegee University.

Mr. Campbell is married to Cordelia Campbell, and they have three children: Rashad, Alexandra, and Joseph.

Dr. Keith Clayton serves as a Deacon for Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Clayton attended California State Polytechnic University, where he studied Information Technology before beginning his professional career as a computer systems analyst and designer.

Dr. Clayton has held several senior leadership positions with organizations including Lloyds Bank, Coopers & Lybrand, US West, and ITCS, Inc. He earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Human Resource Development from Regent University. Dr. Clayton is also a Beta Phi Society of Scholars fellow and was inducted at Exeter College, University of Oxford, UK.

Dr. Clayton is a certified teacher and adjunct professor who teaches business, ethics, management, leadership, information technology, human resource management, and development.

Dr. Clayton is married to Deborah Clayton, who is also an Associate Minister. Together they have two sons.

Mr. Jacob Pruitt is head of Fidelity’s National Charitable Services business unit, President of Fidelity Charitable®, and Co-Owner of J5Stone Group, a real estate development company.

Prior to Fidelity Charitable, Mr. Pruitt was head of Workplace Investing and Donor-Advised Funds at T. Rowe Price. He also led T. Rowe Price’s Colorado Springs site and was an active member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Operating Council. Prior to T. Rowe Price, Mr. Pruitt worked for The Vanguard Group, where he was head of distribution for Institutional Asset Management.

Mr. Pruitt serves on several regional nonprofit boards, including the University of Colorado Foundation and the Colorado Springs Health Foundation. He was recently appointed to the Scouting America National Executive Board and also serves on the national U.S. Impact Investing Alliance board.

Mr. Pruitt is a graduate of Tennessee State University, the Stanford University Business School Executive Management Program, and the Harvard Business School Public Education Leadership Institute. He is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Mr. Pruitt is married to Joanna Pruitt, and together they have four sons.

Mr. Rob Burrs serves as Legal Advisor and Lead for the Prison Ministry at Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church. He is a restorative justice practitioner, lawyer, and public service professional with more than 20 years of experience in justice reform, restorative practice, policy development, and community-based accountability.

His work has always been grounded in the belief that people are more than their worst decisions and that lasting transformation is possible through truth, responsibility, and the grace of God.

At Emmanuel, Mr. Burrs brings a heart for ministry, restoration, and service. He is especially committed to encouraging those impacted by incarceration, mentoring young men, and helping others grow in faith, integrity, and accountability. His approach is direct, compassionate, and rooted in the conviction that God can redeem every life surrendered to Him.

Mr. Burrs earned his Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice and Political Science from Howard University, completed Executive Nonprofit Leadership studies through the University of Northern Colorado Monfort College of Business, received mediation training through the Conflict Management Institute in Santa Barbara, and earned his Juris Doctor from the Southern California Institute of Law. He also completed leadership development studies through the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership.

Above all, Mr. Burrs is grateful for his relationship with Jesus Christ, the love of his wife Bethany, and the blessing of being the father of their three children, Kaleb, Evelyna, and Eliana.

Ms. Nicolls is an Adobe Certified Associate with recently enhanced web and graphics technology skills. Ms. Nicolls is married to Marlon Nicolls, and together they have one son.