Rev. Brian K. Blackwell was born to Dalden & Donna Blackwell and raised in Flint, Michigan. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry. He also earned his Master of Divinity from Turner Theological Seminary at The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). Rev. Blackwell is also pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Michigan-Flint with an anticipated graduation date of 2025.
Prior to answering the call to ministry, Rev. Blackwell worked in several finance and business analyst roles in Corporate America with MeadWestvaco, CP Kelco, and McMaster-Carr. He has used this wide-ranging experience for the edification of God’s Kingdom, and has been honored for his work by several noteworthy organizations including the Metro-Birmingham Chapter of the NAACP as a 2011 Man of Distinction and Wilkerson Middle School as a 2019 Community Unsung Hero.
Rev. Blackwell has served as the pastor of St. Luke AME Church-Birmingham, St. Paul AME Church-Lanett and St. Mark AME Church-Guerryton. In 2017, Bishop Harry L Seawright appointed him as the pastor of St. Paul AME Church in the Smithfield neighborhood of Birmingham. Since coming to St. Paul Smithfield, Rev. Blackwell worked with the congregation to create multiple feeding ministries and a clothing closet. In 2019, the Smithfield Community Development Corporation, a 501©3 non-profit organization, was founded to provide affordable housing, healthy food and educational opportunities in the Smithfield Community. In 2020, the church was also able to pay off its mortgage 3 years early.
Since 2014, Rev. Blackwell has served on the Board of Directors for Daniel Payne College Legacy Village Foundation as the Treasurer. Rev. Blackwell also serves as the Comptroller of the Ninth Episcopal District. In 2021, Rev. Blackwell was elected to the General Board of the AME Church and served as the Budget Committee Chairperson for the Commission on Statistics & Finance. He was also assigned to the Commission on Retirement Services where he used his financial analysis skills to assist in the actuarial work of the Department. Rev. Blackwell was elected as the Executive Director of the Department of Retirement Services for the AME Church at the 52nd Quadrennial Session of the AME Church General Conference. Rev. Blackwell is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

He is married to Attorney Lynita Mitchell Blackwell, and they are the blessed parents of Angelica Gwendolyn.