Rev. James Forbes is the first African-American to be appointed as Senior Minister of the Riverside Church in Harlem and spent 18 years serving the interdenominational, interracial and international congregation. While at Riverside, he brought the church to play a role in redeveloping the neighborhood and hosted prominent guests, such as the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela. Today, he continues to deliver his call for spiritual revitalization as the Senior Scholar and Fellow for Drum Major Institute. He continues in national ministry and focuses on encouraging peace, justice, interfaith cooperation and environmental responsibility.