Getting to the Roots
Rev. Curtiss DeYoung’s career is grounded in racial and social justice work. Today, he’s the CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches and an author of books about activism, racism, and cultural diversity. During this conversation, Chanda and Curtiss discuss philanthropy’s role in conquering hate, the integrity problem in our organizations, and how getting to the roots of injustice is essential for reconciliation.
Curtiss DeYoung
Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung is the CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches, a statewide organization representing twenty-five Protestant communions from the historic black church, mainline denominations, peace churches, and Greek Orthodox working in strong partnership with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of the Twin Cities and interfaith communities. The current programmatic emphasis includes racial justice, interfaith relations, and refugee services. Previously he was the Executive Director of the historic racial justice organization Community Renewal Society in Chicago and the inaugural Professor of Reconciliation Studies at Bethel University in St. Paul.
Curtiss earned degrees from the University of St. Thomas and Howard University School of Divinity. He has extensive relationships among activists and peacemakers in South Africa and the Holy Land. He is an author and editor of twelve books on reconciliation, interfaith social justice activism, racism, and cultural diversity. His most recent book is the co-authored “Becoming Like Creoles: Living and Leading at the Intersections of Injustice, Culture, and Religion.”
