Bishop Talbert Swan II Is the National Chaplain of Iota Phi Theta

Did you know that Bishop Talbert W. Swan II is a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.? Over the course of his career, he has devoted himself to faith, community service, and the fight for civil rights.

A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Swan built a deep foundation in both faith and scholarship. According to his official biography, he earned degrees from Western New England College, Charter Oak State College, Hartford Seminary, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, along with a Doctor of Ministry and graduate certificates from institutions including Harvard Divinity School.

Swan is a leader in the Church of God in Christ, the nation’s largest Black Pentecostal denomination. Ordained in 1991, he went on to pastor the Spring of Hope Church of God in Christ in Springfield and was consecrated to the episcopacy in 2014, taking on national leadership roles within the denomination, including as a bishop and public policy adviser.

His ministry has always been paired with a fierce commitment to justice. As the Springfield NAACP notes, Swan serves as president of its branch, where he has become one of the region’s most prominent voices against racism and inequality. A published author and radio host, he is widely known for using his platform, pulpit, and social media presence to speak out on civil rights.

Swan also carries his commitment to service into the Divine Nine. As his official biography documents, he serves as the National Chaplain of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., one of the highest offices in the organization, guiding the spiritual life of the brotherhood on a national level.

From the pulpit to the front lines of the fight for justice, Iota Phi Theta’s Bishop Talbert Swan has dedicated his life to serving God and his people.