Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant began her Global Mission as International affairs Vice President of the Council on International Relations and United Nations Affairs in 1965. As a World Peace activist and advocate for developing nations she addressed delegations in Geneva, Jerusalem, Canada and the United States. Traveling throughout
Europe, she also spoke on the plight of African Americans. During that period Rev. C earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and a Masters Degree in Political Theory from Boston University.

Today she serves as an Episcopal Supervisor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church while having achieved a number of firsts. Accompanied by her daughter, Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis and Missionary Susie McCain; Rev. C founded the first A.M.E. Church in a Francophone country – Bethel A.M.E. Church, Abijan, The Ivory Coast in 1989. She was the First Woman ever invited to sit in the Chieftaincy Stool in Tiama, Sierra Leone 1990. She was one of the First Women to Preach the Congressional Black Caucus Prayer Breakfast. Rev. Dr. C also chaired the first Convocation in the A.M.E. Church on the Research and Status of Black Women 1973. While her husband, then Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church was serving in Baltimore, she led the largest delegation of missionaries from a local church to Guyana, South America, Twenty Seven women! Rev. C co-authored with Dr. Jacqueline Grant the segment on women for the A.M.E. Black Papers.

Inspired by her mentor, Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot, Dr. C ministered and traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and South America. Working with women in the United States and abroad. Founder of Gethsemane Outreach Center and the Women’s Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Founder of the Elnita McClain Women’s Center in Houston, Texas and the Davidson Houston Academy in Dallas. Founder of Women’s Resource Center in Freetown, Sierra Leone. An early childhood development center in Seattle, Washington and a Primary School in Grand Bassa Liberia are named in honor of Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant.

In 1970, The Pan African Symposium and Tea conducted in Fall River Massachusetts brought together Dr. C’s passion for the Arts of Africa and the Diaspora that continues to this day. Together with scholars and members of the Diplomatic Community, a fresh paradigm for Christian Witness and Ministry was set. The fruit of this was the founding of the first Liturgical Dance Ministry in the Black Church at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

One of the high points in Rev. C’s life was to be named “Akosua" by the Asantaheni (King of Kings) of Ashanti people. In honor of Nana Yaa Asanteewaa, the warrior Queen Mother. Howard Divinity School provided her theological education. Her second masters degree is in Religion. Dr. C. has preached for the All Africa Council of Churches in the Gambia and for the World Methodists in Australia. She has preached the Gospel in Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Haiti, Jamaica, Gabon, Zambia, Bermuda, Great Britain, and Amsterdam. Her ministry includes Brazil, Cuba, Senegal, Barbados, The Bahamas, Alaska and throughout the continental United States.

“Let a New Woman Rise” the thread that ties her vocation together began as a Convocation in 1978. The First Global African & Diasporic Convocation ever held by a local church. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were the featured artists for the Cultural event. Rev. Nurghan Govan was the vessel of prophecy! Masterful Empowerment cells were conducted.

The culmination of this event took place in 1981 – BEHOLD THE WOMAN Convocation. Again a first for a local church initiative – more than 3,000 women traveled to share in this experience. The First Lady of the Republic of Guyana – Lady Forbes Bum ham gave the keynote address. In 1999, she received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree from Paul Quinn College.

In 2005, Rev. C led 86 high school juniors and seniors for a mission initiative to Jamaica. In 2006, 71 participated in a Youth Mission in Alaska. In April 2006 she led a delegation of 117 women including health professionals to Zambia, Southern Africa to join in the war against HIV Aids and poverty. Children of Promise is an ongoing ministry organized by Rev. C to care for HIV Aids orphans in Cape Town South Africa.

As Founder and Spiritual Director of Akosua Visions Ministries, Rev. C has conducted Faith Formation encounters for African and Diasporic Women in Europe, Africa, and the West Indies.

Rev. C has authored 5 books on Faith Formation:
Kiamsha (That with Awakens Me)
Kujua (Discovery)
I Dance With God
Osusu (Women Creating Wealth)
Healing for Wounded Vows, Co-Authored with Bishop John R. Bryant

As the focus of many articles she has been presented in Essence Magazine, Ebony, Spirit, and many other publications. She is the wife of Rt. Rev. John R. Bryant for 37 years. They are the Blessed parents of Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, and Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis. The family circle now includes Gizelle Graves-Bryant, Kwesi Azikwe Davis and five remarkable grand daughters as well as Micah Wilkens Wright.