Rev. Damali “Najuma” Smith Pollard, MBA
Biographical Sketch
The best advice Rev. Najuma ever received came long ago from her mother, who told her: “You can do anything you want to!”
This invaluable advice always guides her as she strives to complete each task, knowing that all things are possible through Christ. Through her pastoral assignments and Word of Encouragement ministry (W.O.E.), she shares the good news of the Gospel with parishioners and the community at large. Najuma is a frequent speaker at churches and conferences. She is grateful to be able share her gifts, time and talent with ministries abroad.
A native of Southern California, Najuma, became a member of First AME Church in Los Angeles in September of 1989; a move that changed her life forever. While there, under the leadership of Rev. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, she immersed herself in the church’s ministries and served in the Sunday School Department, choir, usher board and as a counselor for the Youth “Lock-In” services. Additionally, she served in ministries beyond the walls of the church, including the Social Concerns Commission. After several years as a member of the laity, she accepted her call to ministry in 1996 and says, “going into ministry was just the next level of service for me.” Najuma was ordained as a Deacon in 1996 and as Elder in 2000. Since that time, she has served as Assistant Pastor at Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvine, California; Pastor of A.K. Quinn AME Church in Moreno Valley, California; Pastor of St. James AME Church, in Los Angeles, California for 7 years and has recently returned to Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvince, California to serve as Pastor of Family Ministries.
In addition to her ministerial duties, Najuma is Program Manager for the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, and Executive Director for the Southern California School of Ministry. She is also the founder of Chocolate Tee’s. an urban apparel company and The ESHE Group, a 501(c)3 organization, formed to provide economic development and community empowerment through training, resources and referrals to youth and young adults in South Los Angeles and abroad. She serves as Co-Chair of Imani Phi Christ, a Christian sorority that focuses on the development of African-American Teen Girls; and an Affiliate Board Member of SIM (Sisters In Ministry).
In terms of education, Najuma holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Pepperdine University, a Bachelor of Theology from the Southern California School of Ministry and a Masters of Business Administration from Woodbury University. In addition she has received Certification from the “Passing The Mantle” program on Civic Engagment and Community Development from USC. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry, with United Theological Seminary.
Najuma has several hobbies including reading, going to movies, skiing, snowboarding, writing and traveling. Her travels outside of the country have taken her to Canada, Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Belgium, France, St. Lucia, Lesotho (South Africa), China, Egypt and Israel.
She is wonderfully married to Felix Pollard and they have three sons Daniel, Dillon and Dorian.
For further information: visit www.damalinajuma.com
Follow Najuma on Facebook @ Najuma Smith-Pollard or twitter @RevJuJu
