Curtiss DeYoung
Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung is a racial justice academic, author, and activist. He served as the Co-CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC)—an ecumenical council of 27-
member denominational communions from Historic Black, Mainline Protestant, Pentecostal, Peace, and Greek Orthodox churches. MCC has programs in racial justice, refugee services, and interfaith relations. DeYoung previously served as the Executive Director of the historic faith-based racial justice organization Community Renewal Society in Chicago, IL with its unique programmatic combination of church-based community organizing, policy advocacy, and investigative journalism.
Dr. DeYoung was the inaugural Professor of Reconciliation Studies and Co-chair of the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Reconciliation Studies at Bethel University in St.
Paul, MN. He served as an adjunct professor at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL.
Rev. DeYoung served on staff at congregations in Minneapolis, New York City, and Washington, DC. He is an ordained minister in the Church of God (Anderson, IN). He consults
and speaks nationally and internationally with extensive relationships among activists and peacemakers across the United States and in South Africa and the Holy Land.
He is an author and editor of thirteen books on racial justice, reconciliation, social justice activism, and cultural competency. With South African anti-apartheid activist Allan Boesak, he
co-authored Radical Reconciliation: Beyond Political Pietism and Christian Quietism (Orbis). He was on the editorial team for The Peoples’ Bible (Fortress). His most recent book is The Risk of Being Woke: Sermonic Reflections for Activists (Judson).
Curtiss DeYoung has been married to Karen since 1984. They have three adult children.
Education
Doctor of Education, Leadership, University of St. Thomas (St Paul, MN)
Master of Divinity, Howard University School of Divinity (Washington, DC)
Bachelor of Arts, Religious Studies, Anderson University (Anderson, IN)