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Boise Kimber (born February 9, 1959) is an American Baptist minister American Baptist and civil rights activist. He is currently the pastor of First Calvary Baptist Churches in New Haven, CT and Hartford, CT. == Political and community life == In Connecticut, Kimber has been labeled as one of the “powerful players within the black community”.〔(Master of the City: How Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. Ruled New Haven ), Huffington Post〕 Locally, Kimber is President Emeritus of the Greater New Haven Clergy Association, a consultant to the office of Multicultural Affairs and the Multicultural Center at Southern Connecticut State University, a Fire Commissioner for the City of New Haven, a Director for Aids Interfaith Network, Inc., an advisor to local labor unions, and a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Nationally, he serves as Director of Rev Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, Inc., the Conference of National Black Churches, and as Executive Director of the Social Justice Initiative. Kimber formerly served as the Chairman of the New Haven Fire Commission, where he was embroiled in controversy after the union head accused him making racist comments. After Kimber stepped down from leadership, long serving New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., who appointed Kimber, said he was “pleased that he acknowledged that they were inappropriate and demonstrated real leadership by not letting his leadership as head of the commission become an issue."〔(New Haven Fire Panel Chairman Steps Down )〕 He is currently president of the Connecticut Missionary Baptist State Convention, and is presently a candidate for president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the nation’s oldest and largest African-American religious group. While addressing the Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention (LMBSC) in November 2013, Kimber stated, “We must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, for those who are disenfranchised… we must have a voice… When was the last time you heard this convention talk about anything that was wrong in our world? We said nothing about Trayvon Martin; we said nothing about the (federal government) shutdown. We said nothing about gay and lesbian marriages.’’〔(National Baptist Convention presidential candidates tout platforms for 2014 election in New Orleans )〕 Kimber was later endorsed by the LMBSC President C.S. Gordon Jr.〔http://www.louisianamissionarybaptiststateconvention.com/uploads/President_Gordon_endorses_Dr._Boise_Kimber.pdf〕 In July 2013, Kimber led a coalition of religious and social groups in a "Justice for Trayvon" vigil to press the federal government to investigate civil rights charges against George Zimmerman. Kimber said, How many more times do we have to rally around justice for our children? How many more courts will free overzealous vigilantes who gun down unarmed American citizens and cry self-defense? Black and Brown American teens should feel confident that the American justice system also works for them; the Zimmerman acquittal tells them otherwise."〔http://www.registercitizen.com/general-news/20130719/justice-for-trayvon-rally-set-for-saturday-in-new-haven〕 After the unfortunate massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, Kimber led a prayer service with Sharpton for the victims and survivors of the mass shootings. “We come here in solidarity with our brother and sister up the street to let you know your pain is our pain and your hurt is our hurt,” said Kimber.〔http://www.bet.com/news/national/2012/12/19/sharpton-we-must-limit-access-to-high-powered-weapons.html〕 On Sharpton's national television news show later that evening, Kimber added that, "We come tonight to ask that communities all over this country, let`s come together, stand together, and let`s begin to work with Congress, Senate and let`s make sure that our representatives understand what is happening within our communities."〔http://www.nbcnews.com/id/50247636/ns/msnbc-politicsnation/t/politicsnation-tuesday-december-th/〕 Kimber partnered with a local businessman to announce the launch of a $1 million loan program for urban churches.〔(Loan Agency Chief And Local Announce New Urban Church Construction Loan Program )〕 Additionally, he and the same businessman have been conducting job fairs in urban churches throughout Connecticut.〔(Fast-Growing, Ticketing-Software Company Provides Opportunity To Job Seekers )〕 In 2001 he participated in a Congressional Lunch of Ministers where participants talked about revitalizing black and urban communities and the role of social institutions like church and family in meeting that goal.〔http://www.c-spanvideo.org/boisekimber〕 In 2012 he hosted Sharpton at a get out the vote rally.〔(Sharpton urges black voters to exercise their votes )〕 Kimber was recently honored at the National Action Network's national convention for his service to the church and the community. President Barack Obama presented the keynote speech that focused on the importance of protecting voting rights.〔(Boise Kimber receives national award )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Boise Kimber」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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