Dr. Karri Turner Bryant has stepped into a spotlight she never sought after a wave of online criticism about the dress she wore to a high-profile fundraiser late last year. The pastor and author, known to many as the wife of Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, addressed the controversy this week with a mix of gratitude and resolve.
The criticism began after Karri Bryant attended the 2025 United Negro College Fund Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball on Dec. 20. The event, held at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta, drew praise for raising millions to support historically Black colleges and universities. Yet in the days that followed, social media chatter fixated on the attire she chose for the gala.
Defending Style and Purpose
At the center of the debate was a black lace gown with a flesh-colored illusion bodice. Some commentators on social platforms described it as too revealing for a pastor’s spouse. Others defended the look as fashionable and appropriate.
Her husband, Pastor Jamal Bryant, addressed the backlash from the pulpit during his New Year’s Eve service. “The internet went crazy about a dress my wife had on,” he said, noting that few focused on the $4 million raised for the UNCF or the couple’s prayer at the event. “They never mentioned that this was the largest fundraiser for HBCUs in the country.”
Bryant did not mince words in criticizing his detractors. “Insecure, jealous, petty, small-minded people got in their feelings and set up a false barometer of holiness based off of a dress,” he said. He clarified that he chose and paid for the gown, adding, “I bought the dress, and I like it. I don’t care whether you like it or not. She ain’t married to y’all. She’s married to me.”
In response to her husband’s public defense, Karri Bryant expressed heartfelt thanks. On social media, she wrote, “I Love You Baby! Thank you! Not just for me, but for every woman who has experienced what I continue to walk through.” She called his remarks “a healing salve to my heart” and praised his constant affirmation of her identity and worth.
The couple’s comments have sparked broader conversations about the role of women’s fashion in church leadership and the expectations placed on pastors’ spouses. Some critics within the faith community say modesty standards matter, while supporters call the backlash a symptom of outdated thinking.
On “The Tamron Hall Show,” Karri Bryant underscored the complexity of the issue. She reminded viewers that “there is no book” dictating how a church first lady must dress, and that her choice did not diminish her faith or commitment to service.
As the debate continues, the Bryants are urging a shift in focus back to community impact rather than personal appearance. “We’ve got bigger issues to tackle,” Pastor Bryant said, highlighting concerns such as education, healthcare and employment.