Today, Heather Mizeur, Democratic candidate for governor, will introduce Reverend Delman Coates as her lieutenant governor candidate at a campaign rally in Silver Spring. They will be joined by their families, supporters and several endorsers.
Nationally known for his work on social justice and combating inequalities, Delman Coates is an outspoken champion on a range of progressive issues, including health care, the Voting Rights Act, immigration reform, and foreclosure protection. He has been recognized for his work by the ACLU and is featured on the 2013 Ebony Power 100. Delman has served as the Senior Pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland, since 2004. Under his leadership the congregation has grown from 1,800 to 8,000 members.
The Rev. Delman Coates
In addition to playing a significant role in the 2012 campaign for marriage equality in Maryland, Delman works on a national level with African American leaders and congregations around the country to raise awareness and rally support for marriage equality, common sense gun reform, and fair voting rights and other civil rights issues. Delman sits on several boards including the Parents Television Council, and National Action Network. He is a lifetime member of the NAACP where he sits on the Religious Affairs Committee and the National Board of Image Awards Committee. He is the founder and President of the Black Church Center for Justice & Equality, and the Founder of the Enough is Enough Campaign for Corporate Responsibility in Entertainment. He also sits on the Board of Preachers at Morehouse College, where he attended college. Delman also received degrees from Harvard Divinity School and Columbia University.
Delman was raised in a working household: his mother was a nurse, and his father spent 34 years in public schools in inner-city Richmond, VA. His father and paternal grandparents were all sharecroppers in North Carolina. Today his parents and sister all call Maryland home. It was the influence of his family growing up that first instilled the importance of public service, fairness, and common good. Today he and his wife Yolanda have two sons, ages ten and seven, and four-year-old twin girls. His work at Mt. Ennon includes numerous community outreach programs, including clothing and food drives for the needy, support groups, and health & wellness education programming.
Gren Whitman says
Editor,
Another excellent reason to consider Heather Mizeur for our next governor!
Every Democrat should look at her campaign and consider her excellent proposals for our state. A leader proven to “work across the aisle,” she’s just what we need.