Fifth Annual Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture
Educator, minister, and social justice advocate Dr. Kyle J. Boyer will deliver the
Fifth Annual Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture on Thursday,
October 10, at 3 p.m. at West Chester University. He will discuss “America’s Alternative:
Embracing the Prophetic Possibilities of Frederick Douglass” in the University’s Philips
Autograph Library, Philips Memorial Building at 700 South High Street. The program
is free and open to the public.
Dr. Boyer became pastor of the Mount Carmel Church of God in Christ in West Chester in 2023. A native of Chester County, he received his spiritual development and foundation at Mount Carmel and began his preaching ministry in 2006.
He holds degrees from George Washington University, the University of Pennsylvania, and United Lutheran Seminary. Following his undergraduate studies, he continued serving faithfully at Mt. Carmel, engaging in youth ministry at the local, district, and regional levels. In 2012, he was ordained as an elder in the Church of God in Christ by Bishop Benjamin J. Ravenel. In addition, he has served as the vice president of the West Chester Ministerial Alliance and is currently a member of the Main Line Black Interdenominational Minister’s Alliance.
He is the author of two books: Reflections for the Call: A Devotional for Young Preachers and The Prince, the Priests & the Prophets: The Need for Prophetic Leadership in America.
Dr. Boyer has taught at the middle and high school levels and has also worked as a secondary administrator. He previously served as an elected member of the Tredyffrin/Easttown Board of School Directors. He also served one term as president at the West Chester, PA, branch of the NAACP and has served on numerous community boards.
The Frederick Douglass Institute hosts the Annual DeBaptiste-Douglass Lecture Series as a tribute to Frederick Douglass, the great abolitionist, orator, and statesman. This annual lecture examines issues of social justice to improve the present by learning from the past. It serves to commemorate the abolitionist’s last public lecture on WCU’s campus. It is made possible through the generous gift of Dr. Clifford DeBaptiste, the first African American mayor of West Chester Borough and a recognized champion of education.
Sharpless Street Garage will be open for free parking for this event. If you choose to park in the garage, take a ticket upon entering the garage; the gate will be left open starting at 5 p.m., so you will not need to pay upon leaving. Click here for a campus map.
For additional information, contact June Thompson at jthompson2@wcupa.edu.