Samuel Chu
Samuel Chu | |
|---|---|
 Samuel Chu | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of California, San Diego Fuller Theological Seminary |
Samuel M. Chu currently directs the national advocacy and organizing for MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.,[1] leading local and regional campaigns around issues of food insecurity and access in various states. He is a fellow at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at University of Southern California,[2] where he engages in research, writing and teaching around community organizing, public leadership, and the role of religious institutions in social change.
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 directed special projects for Consumer Watchdog as well as the social justice program, Minyan Tzedek, at IKAR,[6] a Jewish spiritual community that stands at the intersection of spirituality and social justice in Los Angeles, CA, led by Rabbi Sharon Brous.
Early life
Chu is an immigrant from Hong Kong who grew up in a Southern Baptist household,[7] 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.
Career
He served on the pastoral staff at Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church USA) in Los Angeles, CA from 2002-2009.,[8] a multi-cultural, social justice congregation on Wilshire Boulevard.
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 2009 to March 2011.[9] Chu was appointed as interim executive director in January 2009 [10] 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. Under his leadership, CFE filed one of the largest amicus briefs to the courts in support of marriage equality.[11]
In 2011, Chu was recognized by the City of Los Angeles with the LGBT Pride Award for his leadership in promoting and organizing religious support for LGBT civil rights and marriage equality. [12]
In 2008, Chu joined the effort, as a national director, to develop the national, bi-coastal network of youth development projects called WorkUp, focusing primarily on asset building, financial literacy, and social entrepreneurship.[13]
He has organized for OneLA[14] where his accomplishments included creating and implementing projects such as the largest community-led enrollment program for the Affordable Care Act in California [15][16] and the nation's first mortgage principle reduction plan during the foreclosure crisis [17][18]
Chu is a frequent speaker and presenter at conferences, programs, and other training institutes, including the Presbyterian Church USA,[19] Advancing Justice Conference,[20] the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute,[21] and the United States Student Association.[22]
Personal life
He resides in Los Angeles, CA. Chu is the son of Rev. Chu Yiu-ming, a retired minister who co-founded Occupy Central with Love and Peace.[23] and one of the leaders of the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong.[24][25]
Notes
- ^ Mazon
- ^ Bio on CRCC website
- ^ 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
- ^ IKAR
- ^ Blessed Are the Organized: Grassroots Democracy in America by J. Stout, Pg. 207
- ^ Immanuel Presbyterian Church Website
- ^ Press Release
- ^ MLP Congratulation
- ^ [1]
- ^ City of Los Angeles LGBT Pride Awards
- ^ WorkUp Website
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [ http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-15/obamacare-deductibles-26-higher-make-cheap-rates-a-risk.html]
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ PCUSA Multicultural Conference Registration Book
- ^ Advancing Justice Conference Speaker Bios
- ^ American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute
- ^ USSA
- ^ Occupy Central
- ^ Who guides Hong Kong's 'Umbrella Revolution' pro-democracy movement?
- ^ A Family Occupation: Samuel Chu in Hong Kong
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
- UU World: [6], accessed March 8, 2014