Congresswoman Watson Coleman Announces the Departure of Faith-Based Policy Advisor Lukata Mjumbe

Congresswoman Watson Coleman Announces the Departure of Faith-Based Policy Advisor Lukata Mjumbe

Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced the departure of her office's Faith-Based Policy Advisor Reverend Lukata Mjumbe. Reverend Mjumbe who recently transitioned from his leadership as Pastor of the historic Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church of Princeton, New Jersey has accepted an appointment as the new Executive Director of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium based in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Consortium promotes the legacy of the civil rights movement by preserving historic buildings, protecting authentic stories, and empowering communities. In this role, Rev. Mjumbe will work to find new and expanded ways of securing federal support for the preservation and elevation of sacred sites of our nation's freedom movements. The Consortium has been described by Brent Leggs, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund of the National Trust as "one of the most important statewide Black heritage preservation organizations in the nation."

Reverend Mjumbe has served as a public policy advisor to members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama to New Jersey for two decades. An uncompromising advocate for racial, economic, and environmental justice, victims of mass incarceration, the protection of immigrants, criminal justice reform and strategies to end community violence, "Reverend Lukata" as he is known to staff and community members has for the last two years worked to coordinate faith leaders' involvement in policy advocacy efforts, special events, and other activities to ensure the needs of the 12^th District's religiously diverse community are reflected in the Congresswoman's work.

"I've worked with Reverend Lukata Mjumbe for over a decade. He's shown a skill and deep passion for bringing diverse communities together and fighting for everyday working people," said Rep. Watson Coleman. "While God has called Lukata to new ventures in Alabama, I'm certain he will bring that same commitment to service that has shaped his life's work."

Reverend Mjumbe, who first came to New Jersey from Alabama to attend Princeton Seminary observes, "I especially value what I have learned from the principled leadership of Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman as a champion for those communities who need her most. I look forward to working alongside principled partners committed to our communities in the state of Alabama."

Reverend Mjumbe is member of the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers and graduated with the highest honors from both the Morehouse College Political Science department and the Princeton Theological Seminary M.Div. and Th.M Religion & Society programs.