2021 NBCA Hall of fame Inductee – Faith

The Reverend Doctor Kevin R. Murriel serves as the senior pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Jackson State University, his Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, and his Doctor of Ministry from Duke University. An insightful preacher, avid reader, and social activist, Dr. Murriel’s research focuses on translating the methods of the Civil Rights Movement into a modern strategy for social justice.

Dr. Murriel is the author of two books. His latest book, BREAKING THE COLOR BARRIER: A VISION FOR CHURCH GROWTH THROUGH RACIAL RECONCILIATION was named to the 2015 Hot New Releases list on Amazon. It addresses the need for churches to model reconciliation in a racially divided society.

In 2018, Dr. Murriel was named as one of Emory University’s Forty under Forty and S.C.L.C. Women recognized his community work and social activism by naming him the 2019 Drum Major for Justice Luminary Award recipient. Dr. Murriel has received numerous other awards and honors for his servant leadership including being named as one of Atlanta’s 2019 40 under 40 Movers and Shakers by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Dr. Murriel is a community leader and faithfully serves on several boards and committees which include, the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA, the North Georgia Board of Congregational Development, Murphy–Harpst, the Foundation for Wesley Woods, the Emory University Campaign Leadership Council, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Racial Equity Steering Committee, and the Joseph and Evelyn Lowery Institute. For leading innovative change and being a conscious voice for social justice, Gammon Theological Seminary named him as the 2016 Emerging Prophetic Leader. Dr. Murriel is a member of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2019. Dr. Murriel has served as Chaplain for the Day at the Georgia State Senate and is a featured speaker at churches and events across the country. In 2019, Dr. Murriel was appointed by Dean Jan Love to the faculty of Candler School of Theology at Emory University as Assistant Professor in the Practice of Practical Theology and Director of the Black Methodist Seminarians Program. He was recently inducted into the 35th Annual Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity, Board of Preachers.

He is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and is married to Dr. Ashleigh Murriel, a native of Atlanta, Georgia. They are the proud parents of Scarlett Grace and Anderson Blake, and serve as the executives of The Murriel Foundation, Inc., a 501c(3) non-profit organization committed to developing minority youth to become effective leaders.