REVEREND ELDER LESLIE BURKE

REVEREND ELDER LESLIE BURKE, Caring and concern for people has always been a driving force behind Leslie’s push for excellence. . .

After completing her undergraduate degree in nursing and psychology Leslie began her career with the Los Angeles County Health Department. She returned to UCLA earning a Masters Degree in Health Administration, a Juris Doctor Degree in law school, followed by a Masters of Divinity.

In 1987 Leslie Burke served as the Executive Director of Visiting Nurses Home Services, and helped set up and implement the first county wide home care program for AIDS patients.

Starting in 1992, she served as the Executive Director of the Carl Bean AIDS Care Center and board member of the Los Angeles Health Services Planning Council.

During the past 30 years Leslie Burke has also been active in the arena of social justice and healthcare legislation. Her activities have included National seminars, workshops, and participation in the development of the National Minority AIDS Council and conferring with the Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop in an effort to identify health services and education needs.  She continues to participate in Radio and TV Programs focusing on social justice, education, legal aspects of healthcare and progressive theology. Elder Leslie is the recipient of various awards for her dedication in advocating and caring for others. Awards include those received from: California State Senate, LA County Board of Supervisors, LA City Council, Charles R. Drew Community Health Services, CHI ETA PHI Nursing Sorority, Visiting Nurses Home Services of Los Angeles, Gentlemen Concerned, UFCCLA 

Pioneer Award, Sheros Award and Los Angeles Black Pride Elders Award.

Leslie joined the Unity Fellowship of Christ Church near its beginning in 1984 and has served as an ordained clergy for the past 22 years. Currently Rev. Elder Leslie serves as Co Pastor of UFCCLA. She has been active in the outreach ministries for over 20 years.  Elder Leslie was an original board member of Minority AIDS Project the first outreach ministry of UFCCLA and the first AIDS agency in the nation run by people of color targeting services to black, brown, LGBTQ and the underserved. Rev. Leslie continues her service to date as RN case manager at MAP and provides consultation for Home Health and Hospice organizations. Elder Leslie continues her advocacy working with Transgender organizations and ministries within UFCC. She shares her knowledge, compassion and commitment to enlighten others as an educator, motivational speaker and preacher of progressive theology and social justice.

Elder Leslie always stands ready to give a word of encouragement, hands on care, a warm hug as well as standing in the gap advocating for the rights and social justice of others. 

Elder Leslie courageously serves diverse communities as she continues to demonstrate her church motto.

 “God is Love and Love is for Everyone”