Our Leadership
Founder
Don Abram, M.Div, Harvard University
Don’s shared passion for the Black Church and the LGBTQ+ community prompted him to start Pride in the Pews. Don grew up in a hand clapping, toe-tapping Black church on the Southside of Chicago. Every Sunday, at 11:00am, he was in the pews expecting a soul-stirring sermon. At the age of 14, he was called into ministry and moved from the pews to the pulpit—a paradigm shifting transition. With his new role, he adopted theological positions that mirrored the teachings of his home church. After years of preaching orthodoxy, everything came to a halt when Don realized that he embodied one of the very things that he preached against: queerness.
As a student at Harvard Divinity School, Don was presented an opportunity to critically engage scripture with a focus on marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community. With rigorous theological training and a heart for justice, Don deconstructed homophobic and transphobic theologies from the perspective of Black liberation theology. As Don’s theological commitments evolved, his love for the Black Church never ceased. In fact, his commitment to ensuring that the Black Church pursued a ministry that centered the needs and voices of marginalized communities grew stronger. Frustrated with the lack of theological nuance and the silence of the Black Church on LGBTQ+ rights, Don launched Pride in the Pews with a $40,000 grant in 2021. Pride in the Pews is a grassroots nationwide non-profit that bridges the gap between the Black Church and the LGBTQ+ community through storytelling, political education, and civic engagement. By equipping churches with culturally responsive tools to create more affirming sacred spaces and to advocate for LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination, Pride in the Pews seeks to create a nationwide network of Black faith leaders advancing LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination.
Since its launch, prominent news outlets including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, ABC7 Chicago, Christian Science Monitor, and Religion News Service have featured the ongoing work and impact of Pride in the Pews. Don remains deeply committed to creating community for LGBTQ+ Christians and to equipping the church for progressive, 21st century ministry.
Board of Directors
Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart
Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart is a Black-queer church girl, preacher, teacher, and activist. She develops spaces of spiritual candor, disruption, reflection, transformation, and action. Rev. Naomi is an adjunct professor of theology and religious studies at Villanova University and is the founder of Salt | Yeast | Light. She recently served as the city of Philadelphia as the Director for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs in the Mayor's Office. Now, Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart serves in senior leadership at Political Research Associates, a social justice think tank that researches and publicizes the agendas and strategies of the U.S. and Global Right wing of politics, tracking intersections of Christian nationalism, White nationalism, and patriarchy within politics. She shares life with her wife, their teenage daughter, and a hound dog girl and a black cat boy.
Rev. Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey
Rev. Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey is a vibrant and visible trans woman of color passionate about inclusion and equality for all. Carmarion is the Alabama State Director with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) under the Project One America initiative. Carmarion becomes the first trans person of color to serve in a leadership role with HRC in the organization’s history. Before joining HRC and relocating to Alabama, Carmarion worked in the field of Public Health and Education in Texas, managing both local and national prevention initiatives focusing on HIV/AIDS and other health disparities that impact marginalized communities. Carmarion is the founder and previous Executive Director for Black Transwomen, Inc., which is the first national non-profit organization with a 501 (c)(3) with a programmatic focus to uplift the voices, hearts, and souls of black trans women and in alliance with the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. Carmarion also brings a wealth of experience in faith spaces, currently serving as the National Co-Facilitator and South Regional Coordinator for TransSaints ministry of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM).
Kim Daily
Kim Daily is a lawyer, life-coach, and actual Spotify rapper on a mission to make Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done for folks that God ain't make straight. A litigation attorney by trade and later-in-life lesbian, Kim prides herself on her ability to deconstruct years of societal conditioning to help others find and live in their truth. Through her company, For the Qulture, Kim creates space for her abiding belief that "it is for freedom that Christ has set us free" and gives others permission to let their light shine. She is a self-proclaimed introvert, and no, don't ask her any questions about it. She lives in Houston, TX with her wife, Dr. Shaquinta Richardson, and their two dogs, Bishop and Deacon.
Rev. Dr. Maurice Charles
The Dean of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel supports religious and spiritual life in the University. An alumnus of the University of Chicago Divinity School (MDiv, PhD), Maurice returned in 2019 to serve as the seventh dean, having previously served as Associate Dean for Religious Life at Stanford University and Dean for Spiritual Engagement at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He leads a staff that manages the Spiritual Life office on the lower level of Ida Noyes Hall, Bond Chapel in the main quadrangle attached by cloister to the Divinity School, and Rockefeller Chapel, the largest performance venue and ceremonial center of the campus. The team offers an array of interfaith engagement and religious literacy activities, and curates and produces musical performances. They also partner with departments across the University who hold events in the University chapels. With over 25 years of experience as an Episcopal priest and a BA cum laude in Psychology from Case Western Reserve University, Maurice and his Spiritual Life team are available to persons of all religions and philosophies of life who are wrestling with questions of vocation, meaning, and moving through life transitions. He works closely with his colleagues in Student Wellness and UChicago HELP. His team convenes members of the community at key moments inviting mutual reflection and support. An enthusiastic tenor and avid lover of music, Maurice delights in being surrounded by students who study choral, organ, and carillon performance with talented chapel musicians.