Pastor's Bio
Biographical Data of the Reverend Calvin O. Butts, III D. Min.
Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, is Pastor of the nationally renowned Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York, and President of SUNY College at Old Westbury. His sincere commitment to enhancing the kingdom of God on earth is manifested in a loyal attention to the daily activities and services of the congregation, as well as the pervasive impact of the church on community development initiatives: homelessness, senior citizen and youth empowerment, cultural awareness and ecumenical outreach.
Under Dr. Butts’ leadership, The Abyssinian Baptist Church is committed to the expansion and maintenance of the Christian mission. Rev. Butts was one of the founders, and is the current Chairman of the Abyssinian Development Corporation, a comprehensive, community-based not for profit organization, responsible for over $600 million in housing and commercial development in Harlem. He was also instrumental in establishing the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change – a public, state-of-the-art, intermediate and high school in Harlem, and he is the visionary behind the Thurgood Marshall Academy Lower School, which opened in September 2005.
Dr. Butts is a native New Yorker. He spent a few years in the South, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to New York and earned a Master of Divinity Degree in Church History from Union Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry Degree in Church and Public Policy from Drew University. Reverend Butts was an Urban Affairs instructor, and served as Adjunct Professor in the African Studies Department at City College, New York. He also taught Black Church History at Fordham University, and continues to give lectures and speeches to colleges, universities and various organizations throughout the United States and abroad.
In addition to his professional and religious avocations, Dr. Butts is Chairman of the Board of North General Hospital in Harlem; and Chairman of National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA), as well as a founding member of the organization’s Board of Commissioners. He is also a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). Dr. Butts is a member of the Board of the New York Blood Center, the American Red Cross of Greater New York, New Visions for Public Schools, and American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee.
Rev. Butts previously served as President of Africare, an independent organization dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life in rural Africa, as well as President of the Council of Churches of the City of New York; and he was formerly Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of United Way of New York City, and Chairman of the Board of the Harlem Branch YMCA. Further, he has received honorary degrees from The City College of New York; Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama; Claflin College of Orangeburg, South Carolina; Dillard University, New Orleans, Louisiana; Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut.
Dr. Butts has spearheaded numerous boycotts against institutions that practice racist policies and employment discrimination. He led a nationally acclaimed and most effective campaign to eliminate negative billboard advertising in Central Harlem and New York City communities, and was joined in this effort by religious leaders and prominent officials in other areas of the country, who carried out similar campaigns with equal success. He was also at the vanguard of exposing rap music that includes violent and negative lyrics targeted at women. Rev. Butts’ boycott efforts have helped to sensitize this nation to the evils of exploitive advertising, and he continues on a mission to uplift the ethical standards of the human community.
Reverend Butts is the recipient of numerous commendations and honors, including the Man of the Year Award from Morehouse College Alumni Association; The Morehouse College Candle Award; The William M. Moss Distinguished Brotherhood Award; and The Louise Fisher Morris Humanitarian Award. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, The Prince Hall Masons (having received the 33rd final degree in Masonry), and was recognized as a Living Treasure by the New York City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Dr. Butts is consistently invited to preach in distinguished pulpits throughout New York, as well as nationally and internationally. He has traveled to Africa, China, Cuba, Europe, the Middle East, South America and throughout the Caribbean Islands. Currently, the Reverend delivers a bi-weekly sermon on 98.7 KISS-FM Radio at 7:00 am on Sundays. Through this medium, he is able to spread his ministry throughout New York City.
Rev. Butts is married and has three children and six grandchildren.
