Tickets
General Ticket: $10
Member Ticket: Free, RSVP Required
We warmly welcome Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook to our Knowledge Friday series! Widely known as Ambassador Sujay, the visionary trailblazer and transformational leader has broken barriers across government, ministry, academia, and media. Her distinguished public service and international leadership have earned her recognition as one of the world’s leading voices in faith diplomacy, peace building, and cross-cultural engagement. Come celebrate her story with us and then stick around for the Q&A at the end of the program.
Appointed by President Barack Obama and nominated by Hillary Clinton, she became the first woman and the first African American to serve as U.S Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, advising the President and Secretary of State on global religious freedom and policy issues across nearly 200 nations. She remains the only Black woman from New York State to hold the title of U.S. Ambassador.
Ambassador Sujay was also the first African American woman elected senior pastor in 200-year history of the American Baptist Churches USA. She also served for 21 years as the first female chaplain of the NYPD, ministering on the front lines during the September 11th attacks, helping New York and our nation through traumatic times, and earning recognition as “America’s Chaplain.”
She is also a local legend. The best-selling author hosts a local television program on LTV called “Live with Sujay” and focuses on Black women leaders and East End Headliners.
This Knowledge Friday has been programmed in tandem with our Summer Exhibition THIS LAND: Considering the American Landscape, which can be viewed June 21 – September 6 during our exhibition hours 11 AM – 5 PM, Thursday-Monday.
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Suzan Johnson Cook, widely known as Ambassador Sujay, is an globally recognized diplomat, faith leader, entrepreneur, educator, media personality, and bestselling author whose life’s work has focused on uniting people through business, education, diplomacy, faith, and wellness.
In her historic role as United States Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, she served as principal advisor to the President and Secretary of State on matters of global religious freedom, diplomacy, and human rights, overseeing a portfolio that included nearly 200 nations. She remains the only black woman from New York State to have held the rank of U.S. Ambassador. Her distinguished public service and international leadership have earned her recognition as one of the world’s leading voices in faith diplomacy, peacebuilding, and cross-cultural engagement.
Before entering diplomatic service, Ambassador Sujay established herself as a pioneering religious and civic leader. She became the first African American woman elected senior pastor in the 200-year history of the American Baptist Churches USA and ministries and pastored three influential New York City congregations. Among her most celebrated ministries was the standing-room-only “Lunch Hour of Power,” a midweek worship and leadership experience that attracted more than 1,000 business professionals weekly for inspiration, empowerment, and spiritual renewal. She also created “Harlem Hallelujah” at the legendary Apollo Theater, blending faith, culture, music, and community outreach in transformative ways.
A third-generation entrepreneur, Ambassador Sujay is also the founder and CEO of Charisma Speakers, the only global professional speaker’s bureau founded and owned by a Black woman. Through keynote speaking, executive coaching, leadership development, and communication training, she has inspired audiences across the globe to move from “good to great” through preparation, purpose, and powerful presentation skills. Her expertise spans leadership, diplomacy, wellness, faith, public policy, women’s empowerment, and strategic communications.
An accomplished scholar and educator, Ambassador Johnson Cook has held prestigious academic appointments at Harvard Divinity School, where she served as Associate Dean and faculty member, and has also been affiliated with Union Theological Seminary and The Catholic University of America. A bestselling author of 17 books, she is widely sought after as a media commentator, visiting fellow, lecturer, panel moderator, and leadership strategist. Her contributions to faith, scholarship, and public life have earned numerous honors, including induction into the Morehouse College of Preachers where her portrait was hung in the MLK International Hall of fame.
Beyond diplomacy and ministry, Ambassador Sujay has dedicated her platform to the advancement and wellness of Black women globally. She is the founder of the Global Black Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the first chamber devoted exclusively to Black women business owners worldwide, and creator fo the annual STATE OF BLACK WOMEN™ Summit. For more than 25 year, she has also hosted “Selah by the Sea” a global faith-based wellness retreat designed to restore, empower, and uplift Black women leaders. Through her podcast, “Ask Dr. Sujay,” television programs, wellness initiatives, and Soulfully Sujay affirmation cards, she continues to champion personal healing, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and spiritual wellness for people across generations and cultures.
Often called upon as a media commentator, she has appeared on FOX5, MSNBC, BBC, CNN, and GMA. For more information visit www.DrSujayGlobal.com or follow her on Youtube: AmbassadorSujay, LinkedIn, or Instagram: @Ambassador_Sujay