Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, Pastor

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 commitment to the enhancement of God’s kingdom on earth has manifested itself in his 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.

Abyssinian Baptist Church, led by Dr. Butts, is committed to move forward in faith for the maintenance and expansion of its continuing Christian mission. He was one of the founders of Abyssinian Development Corporation, a comprehensive community-based organization, responsible for over $300 million in housing and commercial development in Harlem, and continues to help guide and support the daily operation of this not-for-profit organization. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change – a public intermediate and high school, under the direction of Abyssinian Development Corporation.

Dr. Butts is a native New Yorker. He spent a few years in the South, where he earned his 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 the Union Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Church and Public Policy from Drew University. He has taught Urban Affairs, and served as an Adjunct Professor in the African Studies Department at City College, New York. He has taught Black Church History at Fordham University, and has given numerous lectures and speeches at colleges and universities across the nation.

In addition to his professional and religious avocations, Dr. Butts is President of the Council of Churches of the City of New York; Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of United Way of New York City; a member of the Board of the September 11th Fund; Chairman of the National Affiliate Development Initiative of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (BLCA), and a founding member of the organization’s Board of Commissioners. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of North General Hospital.

Dr. Butts previously served as President of Africare, an independent organization dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life in rural Africa and, Chairman of the Board for the Harlem Branch YMCA. Further, he has been presented with honorary degrees from Claflin College, Orangeburg, South Carolina; Dillard University, New Orleans, Louisiana; Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut.

Dr. Butts has spearheaded boycotts against several New York institutions for their racist policies and employment discrimination. He led a nationally acclaimed and most effective campaign in eliminating negative billboard advertising in Central Harlem, and many communities around New York City, and was joined in this effort by prominent individuals in other areas of the country, who carried out similar campaigns with equal success. Rev. Butts’ billboard whitewashing helped to sensitize our country to the evils of drug abuse and exploitive advertising. Dr. Butts was also at the vanguard of the issue of negative rap lyrics specially targeted to women and violence, and is on a mission to uplift the ethical standards of the human community.

Dr. Butts is active in the total life of New York City, and has received more than 1,000 honors and commendations, including Man of the Year, 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 and received the 33rd, final degree in Masonry. He also was recognized as a Living Treasure by the New York City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Dr. Butts continues to be invited to preach in distinguished pulpits throughout New York City and vicinity, as well as nationally and internationally. He has traveled to Africa, Cuba, Europe, the Middle East, South America and throughout the Caribbean Islands. Currently, he delivers a bi-weekly sermon each Sunday on 98.7 FM (KISS) Radio at 7:00 am. Through this medium, he is able to spread his ministry throughout New York City.

Dr. Butts is married and has three children.