ABOUT
US | COALITION PRESIDENT
Reverend Carlton Veazey, President & CEO The
Reverend Carlton W. Veazey is President and CEO of the Religious Coalition
for Reproductive Choice and a minister of the National Baptist Convention
U.S.A.. Reverend Veazey is founder of the Coalition's celebrated National
Black Church Initiative, which is breaking the silence about sexuality in
African American churches. His long and distinguished career in the ministry
and public service and commitment to social justice have brought him to the
presidency of the 33-year-old alliance of religious groups from 15 denominations
and faith traditions.
Reverend Veazey joined the Coalition in 1996 and became president in 1997.
During his tenure, the Coalition has experienced unprecedented growth at the
grass roots and nationally. Two new departments were started, Field Services
and MultiCultural Programs, the Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom program
began, and the national Clergy for Choice network and state affiliates were
re-energized. Nationally, the Coalition has become an increasingly influential
voice for reproductive rights and a leader in bringing cultural diversity
to the pro-choice movement. In 2001, the Coalition began a campaign to involve
more people of faith in the pro-choice movement.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Reverend Veazey is the third generation in
his family to serve as a Baptist minister. He is a graduate of the University
of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Howard University School of Divinity. From the
earliest days when he ministered to migrants on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,
Reverend Veazey has had a commitment to advocacy for social justice. In 1982,
he ordained the first female minister in the Baptist churches in the Washington
area. During his 33-year ministry at the historic Zion Baptist Church in Washington,
DC, he developed and implemented numerous programs for children, teens, and
senior adults and provided spiritual support to a number of incarcerated young
men in preparation for their release from the prison system.
From 1989 to 1992, Reverend Veazey was chairman of the prestigious Theological
Commission of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A., an organization of more
than 7 million members, which is considered the world’s largest Black
organization. He is currently pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Washington,
DC.
Reverend Veazey has extensive experience in management and public administration.
In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon appointed him to the District of Columbia
City Council, where he was among the first to serve, completing his term in
1973. From 1974 to 1976, Reverend Veazey was executive director of the Mayor’s
Manpower Services Planning Advisory Council. From 1976-85, he was with the
District of Columbia Department of Employment Services.
Seeing his work at the Coalition as an extension of his ministry, Reverend
Veazey resolved to open dialogue in the Black Church on sexuality and reproductive
health when he came to the Coalition in 1996. He and a group of colleagues
launched the Black Church Initiative to assist African American clergy, laity,
and youth address teen childbearing, sexuality education, and reproductive
health issues within the context of African American religion and culture.
With Reverend Veazey’s leadership, the initiative has become nationally
known for its pioneering efforts to open dialogue on sexuality and reproductive
health issues. In just one of its innovative programs, a faith-based sexuality
education curriculum has been introduced in more than 700 churches throughout
the country and training has been provided to clergy, seminarians, Christian
educators, Sunday school teachers, parents, guardians and teens. In 2001,
Reverend Veazey introduced the initiative to churches in Cape Town, South
Africa.
Reverend Veazey has received many honors during his tenure as President and
CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. The Ms. Foundation
in 1999 presented him with its prestigious Gloria Steinem Award. The award
recognized his courage and innovation in helping African American churches
address sexuality issues and fight violence against women and girls. In 2001,
Reverend Veazey received the Planned Parenthood of Washington Metropolitan
Washington Champions of Choice Community Partnership Award. In 2002, he received
the Voters for Choice Reproductive Freedom Award. In 2005, he was named one
of “21 Leaders for the 21st Century” by Women’s E-News—the
only man so honored. He is the recipient of the United Church of Christ/Howard
University School of Divinity James F. Jenkins Pillar of Faith Award and a
Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School.
He is a member of the boards of Advocates for Youth and Americans United for
Separation of Church and State.
July 2006
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