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This inaugural lecture features the Rev. Dr. Mark Kelly Tyler, an international historian for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The theme is "Celebrating the Legacy of Daniel Alexander Payne: Educator, Servant-Leader, Visionary." This lecture is a collaboration between the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center, Destination Gettysburg, and the Seminary.
Dr. Tyler, a former radio personality, has now merged his love of Black History with his passion for motorcycles. His YouTube channel, Black History On Twos (@blackhistoryontwos), brings historically significant locations and stories to a new audience. His work in this area was recognized by his inclusion as a Fellow of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. His project as a Fellow focuses on telling the story of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education.
Dr. Tyler is a documentary film maker. He has worked on and produced multiple projects, including Bishop Richard Allen: Apostle of Freedom (The Documentary); The Anvil: Echoes from the General Conference; The Anvil: The Spirit of African Methodism; and, The Anvil: Preaching on the Frontline. He has been consulted as an on-air expert on numerous other documentaries, including Dr. Henry Louis “Skip” Gates’ PBS documentary, The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross; various episodes of Sam Katz’ Philadelphia: The Great Experiment.
Dr. Tyler has also been active in the world of theological education, currently serving as a Fully Affiliated Faculty Member at the Methodist Theological Seminary in Ohio. He has been a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Payne Theological Seminary, Northeastern Seminary, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, Missio Seminary, and United Lutheran Seminary. Additionally, Dr. Tyler is the past Director of Church Relations and Alumni Affairs at Payne Seminary and the past Director of Church Vocations at New Brunswick Seminary. He has served on numerous boards and committees for various seminaries.
Dr. Tyler has also served his community in additional ways. He created and led an effort to increase voter turnout in the Black community through Black Faith Votes, which united Black Christian and Muslim congregations in mobilizing their congregations. He served as the Co-Director of the Philadelphia affiliate of Live Free USA, a national social justice movement aimed at reducing gun violence, mass incarceration, and bringing about greater criminal justice reform. His work with Live Free helped to bring about the historic Citizen’s Police Oversight Commission in Philadelphia.
He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Alpha Boulé). He and his wife, Leslie, are proud parents and grandparents and live in the greater Philadelphia area.
