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