Boise Kimber

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”.^[1] 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."^[2]

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.’’^[3] Kimber was later endorsed by the LMBSC President C.S. Gordon Jr.^[4]

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."^[5]

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.^[6] 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."^[7]

Kimber partnered with a local businessman to announce the launch of a $1 million loan program for urban churches.^[8] Additionally, he and the same businessman have been conducting job fairs in urban churches throughout Connecticut.^[9]

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.^[10]

In 2012 he hosted Sharpton at a get out the vote rally.^[11]

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.^[12]

Early life

Boise Kimber was born in Phenix City, Alabama to parents Milburn and Ruthie Kimber, the middle child of three children. He graduated from Central High School. He began preaching at age 15.

Personal life

Kimber is married to the former Shevalle Turner and is the father of Pamela, Danielle, LaShawn, Sherine, Ronald, Shevalle and Savion.

Education

In 1981, he completed his undergraduate studies at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in 1997, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Religious Life from Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticnut. In May 2001, he completed his Doctorate Degree in Ministry at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His approved dissertation title was “Developing a Social Justice Consciousness in a Local Congregation”.^[13]

Ricci v. DeStefano

As a commissioner, in 2004, Kimber openly lobbied to set aside the results of a firefighter's promotion exam, leading to a lawsuit by a group of 20 firefighters. In his concurring opinion in Ricci v. DeStefano, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito singled out Kimber for having political motivations in that decision, which brought Kimber into the center of the controversy and led to mass media attention.^[14] In particular, Emily Bazelon called Kimber "a convenient example of small-time race baiting and semi-thuggery."^[15]

References

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