Rev. Ishmael-Renard Mitchell was born in Atlanta Georgia and grew up in the West Hunter Street Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy. Rev. Mitchell is also a native of Southern California. He graduated from The George Washington University with a BA in International Affairs and American History.  He also holds degrees from Howard University School of Divinity, MA in Religious Studies and Social Ethics.  Rev. Mitchell served as a chaplain and fellow at Emory University where he received his Clinical Pastoral Education in Youth and Family Counseling.  Rev. Mitchell is also a two time fellow in the school of Education at the Principal Center at Harvard University. He is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Leadership at Argosy University. He is married to Minister DeEtte Mitchell. They have one daughter, Jasmine.