Reverend Elder Leslie Burke

REVEREND ELDER LESLIE BURKE, whose caring and concern for people has always driven her pursuit of excellence, has made significant contributions to both healthcare and social justice. 

After completing her undergraduate degree in nursing and psychology, Leslie Burke began her career with the Los Angeles County Health Department. She later returned to UCLA to earn a Master’s Degree in Health Administration, a Juris Doctor Degree in law, and subsequently a Master of Divinity.

In 1987, Leslie served as the Executive Director of Visiting Nurses Home Services, where she played a pivotal role in establishing the first county-wide home care program for AIDS patients. From 1992 onwards, she took on the role of Executive Director of the Carl Bean AIDS Care Center and served as a board member of the Los Angeles Health Services Planning Council.

For over 30 years, Leslie Burke has been actively involved in promoting social justice and healthcare legislation. Her efforts have included attending national seminars, conducting workshops, and collaborating in the development of the National Minority AIDS Council. She has conferred with Surgeon General C. Everett Koop to address health services and educational needs. Additionally, Leslie participates in radio and TV programs that focus on social justice, education, healthcare's legal aspects, and progressive theology. Her unwavering dedication in advocating for others has earned her numerous awards, including recognition from the 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, the Pioneer Award, the Sheros Award, and the Los Angeles Black Pride Elders Award.

Leslie joined the Unity Fellowship of Christ Church in 1984 and has served as ordained clergy for the past 22 years. Currently, Rev. Elder Leslie is the Co-Pastor of UFCCLA and has been actively involved in outreach ministries for over 20 years. She was also an original board member of the Minority AIDS Project, which was 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 underserved communities. Rev. Leslie continues her service as an RN case manager at MAP, providing consultation for Home Health and Hospice organizations. Furthermore, she advocates for Transgender organizations and ministries within the Unity Fellowship Church, sharing her knowledge, compassion, and commitment as an educator, motivational speaker, and preacher of progressive theology and social justice.

Elder Leslie is always ready to offer words of encouragement, hands-on care, a warm hug, and stand in the gap advocating for the rights and social justice of others.

Elder Leslie courageously serves diverse communities, embodying the church motto: “God is Love and Love is for Everyone.”