Samuel Chu
Samuel Chu | |
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Samuel M. Chu is currently a fellow at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at University of Southern California,[1] where he engages in research, writing and teaching around community organizing, public leadership, and the role of religious institutions in social change.
A first-generation immigrant from Hong Kong who grew up in a Southern Baptist household[2], Chu graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2000, majoring in political science. He completed his studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in 2002. He resides in Los Angeles, CA. He serves as Chair and President of the Board of Directors of One LA[3][4]-Industrial Areas Foundation, one of the nation's largest community organizing networks and of 1010 Development Corporation[5], a non-profit affordable housing developer in Los Angeles rooted in the United Methodist tradition. He also served on board of directors of various other organizations such as the California Council of Churches.
Chu served as the Executive Director of California Faith for Equality and California Faith for Equality Action Fund from January of 2009 to March of 2011. [6] Chu was appointed as interim executive director in January 2009 [7] and later appointed as CFE's first permanent executive director in April 2010 after an extensive national search. He was the first straight person to head a statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supportive organization.
In 2008, Chu joined the effort, as a national director, to develop the national, bi-coastal network of youth development projects called WorkUp.[8]
He served on the pastoral staff at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, CA from 2002-2009.[9], a well-known, multi-cultural, social justice congregation on Wilshire Blvd..
Chu is a frequent speaker and presenter at conferences, programs, and other training institutes.[10][11][12]
He is currently a member at IKAR,[13] a Jewish spiritual community that stands at the intersection of spirituality and social justice in Los Angeles, CA.
Notes
- ^ Bio on CRCC website
- ^ Blessed Are the Organized: Grassroots Democracy in America by J. Stout, Pg. 207
- ^ One LA-IAF Website
- ^ One LA Leaders Show Clout, by Bill Boyarsky, LA Observed
- ^ A Resounding “YES” we will work with ONE LA – From Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, LA County Dir. of Health Services Mitchell Katz and Assemblyman Mike Feuer
- ^ Press Release
- ^ MLP Congratulation
- ^ WorkUp Website
- ^ Immanuel Presbyterian Church Website
- ^ PCUSA Multicultural Conference Registration Book
- ^ Advancing Justice Conference Speaker Bios
- ^ American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute
- ^ IKAR
Sources
- LGBT POV: "Pastor Samuel Chu to Head California Faith for Equality," April 7, 2010, accessed July 13, 2010
- Bay Area Reporter: Matthew S. Bajko, "Bill would divorce religion from marriage," February, 2010, accessed July 13, 2010
- LGBT POV: Syd Peterson, "Grassroots Profile: Pastor Samuel M Chu," October 4, 2009, , accessed July 13, 2010
- Bilerico Project: Karen Ocamb, "The Tel Aviv Shootings Hit Home ," August 8, 2009, accessed July 13, 2010
- NewsReview: Kel Munger, "Jesus' queer sensibility," July 2, 2009, accessed July 13, 2010
- GLAAD: Ann Craig, "Faith Leaders in California Celebrate Gay Marriage in Iowa," April 3, 2009, , accessed July 13, 2010
- Los Angeles Times: Sara Catania, "L.A.'s marathon mix-up," March 1, 2009, accessed July 13, 2010
- Jewish Journal: Danielle Berrin, "When Crystal met Spielberg; A rabbi, a reverend and a pastor walk into a shul," October 30, 2008, accessed July 13, 2010
- Jewish Journal: Jay Firestone, "Activists champion Darfur in pre-Olympic vigil at Chinese Consulate in Koreatown," August 2008, accessed July 13, 2010