Alvin A ClevelandDr. Cleveland is the son of the late John Wesley Cleveland Jr. and the late Lillie Bell Cleveland. He graduated from Brantley High School in Dallas County, Alabama. He received the bachelor of arts degree in Bible and Pastoral Ministry from Selma Uniersity, Selma, Alabama. He received the master of divinity degree from the School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia and the doctor of ministry from Howard University, Washington, DC. In May of 2015, he received the honorary Doctor of Divinity from Carver College in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Cleveland was professor of Religion and chairman of the Division of Religion at Selma University from 1982 to 1996. He spent the academic year of 1998 to 1999 as chairman of the Division of Religion and Philosophy at Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Florida. In September of 1999, Dr. Cleveland became president of Selma University and served until May of 2020. In January of 1986, Dr. Cleveland became the first black chaplain in the history of the Alabama Army National Guard where he retired with the rank of major in January 2003 after twenty-three years of service. Dr. Cleveland has been pastor of the following churches: Ebenezer Baptist, Staunton, Virginia; Friendship Baptist, Demopolis, Alabama; First Baptist, Selma, Alabama; and is now presently serving at the Corinthian Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama, where he has pastored since August 2000. Dr. Cleveland is married to the former Miss Jackie Thomas. They are the parents of a grown son, Alvin Alphonso Cleveland Jr., and the grandparents of Ava Marie Cleveland. Dr. Cleveland is a member of the NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and many other social and political organizations. Read More Read Less