Location: Decatur Ballroom
Georgia is a critical state for a critical moment in U.S. politics. Faith leaders, journalists and academics walk us through the most pressing issues that congregations are engaging, including immigration, voting rights, and polarization. Their insight will offer a national template for reporting on the role of religion in the upcoming midterm elections.
SPEAKERS
Greg Bluestein
Greg Bluestein is the chief political reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is an author who writes for the front page of the AJC, co-hosts the Politically Georgia podcast and contributes to the Politically Georgia morning newsletter. He’s a frequent guest on local and national TV and radio, and serves an analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. He’s the author of Flipped, an award-winning book on Georgia’s epic 2020 election, and was honored as the South’s top political journalist in 2024 and 2025 by the Society of Professional Journalists — though the title he might be the proudest of is Axios' “most dedicated” Bulldog fan at the 2023 national championship game. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and political science, Bluestein is a lifelong Georgian who serves on several metro Atlanta civic, educational and religious boards. He lives in Dunwoody with his wife and two daughters.
Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant
Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant is a nationally recognized faith leader, civil-rights strategist, public theologian, and community architect whose work stands at the intersection of spirituality, social justice, economic accountability, and public policy. A devoted husband and proud father. Widely regards as one of the most influential justice-centered voice of his generation, Dr. Bryant’s leadership reflects a core conviction: faith must function as a catalyst for liberation and systemic change.
A third-generation minister, Dr. Bryant founded Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, which became the fastest-growing congregation in the 200-year history of the AME Church. Under his leadership, the church emerged as a nationally recognized model for community development, political engagement, and economic empowerment.
In 2018, Dr. Bryant became Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Church in Stonecrest, Georgia—one of the nation’s most influential congregations. Serving alongside his wife, Dr. Karrianna Bryant, First Lady and Executive Pastor of Creative & Experience, he has led a season of revitalization marked by multigenerational unity, expanded cultural relevance, and increased national impact in community outreach, economic justice, and public-policy engagement.
Dr. Bryant is also a leading national voice in economic justice advocacy. His leadership of the Target FAST and Boycott represents one of the most significant, Black-led consumer accountability movements of the last 50 years, advancing equitable business practices, supplier diversity, and respect for Black buying power. Rooted in the historic legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, the campaign reflects his belief that economic leverage remains one of the most powerful tools for social transformation.
Andra Gillespie
Tiffany Green-Abdullah
Tiffany Green-Abdullah is a community leader, strategist, author, and speaker dedicated to advancing holistic community development, faith-centered leadership, and social impact. She currently serves as Director of Strategic Development for Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) Atlanta, where she leads partnerships, fundraising, and strategic initiatives that strengthen health, economic mobility, and community resilience in Atlanta’s West End and surrounding neighborhoods.
A respected voice on community empowerment and values-driven leadership, Tiffany frequently speaks on the intersection of faith, social justice, wellness, and sustainable development. Her work focuses on building collaborative solutions that address food insecurity, reentry support, economic opportunity, and culturally grounded healing.
Tiffany is a certified project manager, a certified Islamically Integrated Life Coach and the founder of Successory, a platform designed to help individuals integrate faith, personal development, and modern tools—including emerging technologies—to pursue meaningful success and legacy. She is also the author of The Bean Pie: A Remembering of Our Family’s Faith, Fortitude and Forgiveness, a reflection on faith, resilience, and the role of women in the history of Black Muslim traditions namely the bean pie.
Earlier in her career, Tiffany founded and led the Learning Community Development department at Georgia State University, where she designed and implemented programs supporting student success and leadership development. Across every role, she has been committed to cultivating environments where individuals and communities thrive spiritually, socially, and economically.
A member of the Muslim community for over 17 years, Tiffany actively serves with Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam. Her work and speaking reflect a lifelong commitment to service, empowerment, and building pathways for lasting impact.
MODERATOR
Liam Adams
Liam Adams is the religion reporter at The Tennessean-USA Today Network, where he’s been covering national, statewide and local religion news since 2021. He often writes about major denominations that are historically headquartered in Nashville, including the Southern Baptist Convention, United Methodist Church, and National Baptist Convention, USA. He also seeks out stories about how local faith communities are responding to federal and state policy, including immigration, healthcare, and education.