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Our three speakers were chosen not just because they are highly
respected in their fields, but because they have an obvious passion for
the subject and an ability to infect the viewer with that positive
energy. Learn more about each speaker below:
Allen Dwight Callahan
 The
Reverend Doctor Allen Dwight Callahan, an ordained Baptist minister is a
native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Professor Callahan received his
B.A. in Religion from Princeton University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in
the study of Religion at Harvard University in the area of New Testament
Studies and Early Christian History.Associate
In addition to taught New Testament theaology at Harvard Divinity School
Professor Callahan has taught theology at Boston College and the language
and literature of the New Testament at Holy Cross College, Andover-Newton
Theological School, and Harvard University, where he is a member of the New
Testament Department faculty at the Divinity School.
An extremely powerful and charismatic speaker, Dr. Callahan was most
recently seen on Frontline's four part series which appeared on PBS; From
Jesus to Christ - The First Christians. His most recently published work is
titled Embassy of Onesimus.
Kathleen Cleaver
 The Fight Against Racism and Economic Injustice - Kathleen Cleaver, a major voice in the Black liberation movements of the 1960s and 70s, continues today, to speak out against racism, sexism and economic inequality. In 1966, Cleaver fist became active in the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). From 1967 to 1971, she was the Communications Secretary of the Black Panther Party and the first woman member of its Central Committee.
After sharing years of exile with her former husband Eldridge Cleaver, she returned to the United States in late 1975. Since graduating from Yale Law School in 1987, Cleaver has combined legal work, teaching and activism. She has taught at n umerous universities including Emory, Yale and Sara Lawrence. She served on the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Racial and Ethnic Bias in the Courts and became a Board Member of the Atlanta-based Southern Center for Human Rights. She has been active in the campaigns to free death row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal and former Panther Geronimo Pratt (released in 1997). Her writings and essays have appeared in numerous magazines, books and newspapers and her memoir, Memories of Love and War, is forthcoming from Random House.
Cleaver dropped out of college in 1966 to work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Soon after, she joined the Black Panther Party and married its Minister of Information, Eldridge Cleaver. She became the spokesperson for the Black Panthers and the first woman on its Central Committee. A year after her husband fled to Algeria, Cleaver joined him in exile for six years. Returning to the U.S., Cleaver graduated cum laude from Yale Law School (where she became reacquainted with Skip Gates, who was then working with Yale's Afro-American Studies Department). She also served as law clerk to Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. And worked at the law firm of Cravath, Swain and Moore.
Reverend Calvin O. Butts, III
 Dr. Calvin 0. Butts, III, is the Pastor of The Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York and President of The State University of New York 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 $100 million in housing and commercial development in Harlem. Dr. Butts continues to help guide and support the operation of this not-for-profit organization. He has also been 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. He returned to New York and earned a Master of Divinity Degree in Church History from 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 also taught Black Church History at Fordham University. Dr. Butts has given numerous lectures and speeches at colleges and universities across the nation.
Rev. Dr. Butts is President of the Council of Churches of the City of New York and Vice-chair of The Board of Directors of United Way of New York City. He is the 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 has served as President of Africare, New York City. He also served as Chairman of the Board for the Harlem Branch YMCA.
Dr. Butts has spearheaded boycotts against several New York institutions for their racist policies and employment discrimination. He has led a nationally acclaimed and most effective campaign in eliminating negative billboard advertising in the Central Harlem communities and in many communities around New York City. He 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 has helped to further 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.
Calvin Butts is active in the total life of New York City, and has received numerous awards and commendations for his efforts, including Man of the Year, Morehouse College Alumni Association; The William M. Moss Distinguished Brotherhood Award; The Louise Fisher Morris Humanitarian Award; and countless other awards and commendations. Dr. Butts is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Prince Hall Masons and has received the 33rd and final degree in Masonry. He has been 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. Dr. Butts has traveled to Africa, Europe, The Middle East, South America, Cuba and throughout the Caribbean Islands.
Dr. Butts currently delivers a weekly sermon each Sunday, on 98.7 FM (KISS) Radio at 7:00 a.m. Through this medium he is able to spread his ministry throughout New York City and vicinity. He is married and has three children.
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