Starsky Wilson

Reverend Doctor Starsky Wilson (born 1973, Dallas, Texas) is an activist, minister, and the president of the Children's Defense Fund.[1]

Early years and education

Wilson, a native of Dallas, traveled to Xavier University in New Orleans and entered the NAACP's ACT-SO oratorical competitions when he was a teenager. His bachelor's degree in political science was earned from that same historically Black college.

His master's degree in divinity was earned from Eden Theological Seminary and his doctorate in ministry from Duke University.[2]

Career and activism

Wilson worked for the United Way, which moved him to St. Louis.[1]

Wilson began to serve as a pastor for a north St. Louis church, Saint John's, in 2008.[3] In 2014, his community was thrust into the spotlight with the police killing of Michael Brown. His church planned and participated in a freedom ride.[2] Wilson was a pastor there until 2018.

In 2014, Wilson was appointed by Missouri governor Jay Nixon as a co-chair to the Ferguson Commission. The Commission released a report based on the four categories of "Citizen-Law Enforcement Relations", Municipal Courts and Governance", "Child Well-Being and Education Equity", and "Economic Inequality and Opportunity."[4]

Wilson left as the president & CEO of The Deaconess Foundation in Dec. 2020 to become the president of the Children's Defense Fund.[5] Additionally, his board membership includes the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) (chair), the Atlanta-based Forum for Theological Exploration (vice chair), and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. [2]

Awards

References
  1. Stewart, Nikita (2020-09-03). "Marian Wright Edelman Steps Down, and a New Generation Takes Over". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  2. Magazine, The Crisis (2020-10-11). "The Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson of St. Louis Tapped to Lead Children's Defense Fund". crisismagazine. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  3. "Rev. Dr. Starsky D. Wilson". National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  4. "The Commission". Forward Through Ferguson. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  5. "CEO of St. Louis-based Deaconess Foundation leaving to head Children's Defense Fund". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
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