Reverend SimmieRay L. Niang-Dinkins was born April 19, 1988, to Janet and the late Simmie Niang-Dinkins III in Munster, IN. He is the youngest of 7 siblings and is the second of two boys. After the death of his father at the age of 4 months, but at 2 years of age, SimmieRay’s mother and two of his six sisters relocated to the small rural town of Henning, Tennessee just 45 minutes north of Memphis. Growing up in a single parent home with two sisters proved to be a challenge, but it did not stop his passion for God.
While SimmieRay was just seven years old, he started serving at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church as the only youth usher and singing in the choir. Surprisingly enough, after years of service in church, SimmieRay accepted his call to the ministry at the age of 15. He believes serving in the many leadership roles in the church created a path to explore the calls God had on his life. After serving and completing the Ministerial Training for the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Southern Baptist Association, and the Black Baptist Association; SimmieRay received his preacher’s license and ordination as Reverend in 2006 and 2007 at Forerunner Baptist Church where he served as Superintendent of Sunday School from 2006 to 2014. Additionally, Dr. Dinkins served as Youth Pastor from 2006 to 2009, and subsequently as Sr. Associate Pastor and Founding Chair of the Ministerial Alliance for Christian Education Department for Forerunner Baptist Church from 2009 to 2022 while leading Christian outreach initiatives, which contributed to the growth of the congregation from 75 disciples to well over 450, respectively.
After being inspired by Luke 4:18, Reverend Niang-Dinkins founded SimmieRay Dinkins Ministries Inc., a nonprofit Parachurch organization designed to inspire the breaking of chains in communities worldwide in 2007. SimmieRay has traveled to countries such as Kenya, Senegal, Gambia and Ghana, West Africa; Canada, England, Italy, Germany, and France proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. SimmieRay Dinkins Ministries’ have additionally hosted conferences such as the Diversity in Christian Leadership Conference on the campus of his undergraduate institution, LeMoyne-Owen College; and the Bi-Annual Break Every Chain Conference in multiple cities.
SimmieRay graduated with two bachelor’s degrees, one in Humanities with a concentration in Religion and Philosophy and Christian Education and the second in Business Management at LeMoyne-Owen College of Memphis, TN. Additionally, SimmieRay holds a Master of Science (MS) in Organizational Development and Leadership, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Business.
Currently, Dr. Niang-Dinkins works for the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of The World Bank as a career Human Resources Officer specializing as the Global DEI Talent Officer and resides in Fort Washington, MD with his beautiful God-fearing wife, Esther and their only child, Malakai, whom he unexpectedly delivered himself on his living-room floor.
Reverend Dinkins’ says he is simply a vessel willing to be used for Gods glory in all that he does.
