REV. DR. OTIS MOSS III '92: 2025 Candle Award in Religion and Social Activism Honoree

The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III '92 is a third-generation warrior for civil and human rights who has built a ministry on community advancement and racial and social justice activism.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Moss was a 1992 honors graduate of Morehouse College, where he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School three years later, and in 2011, was the recipient of Yale Divinity School’s award for Distinction in Congregational Ministry. Moss also earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2012.

An ordained minister in the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the United Church of Christ, Moss had his first pastorate in Augusta, Ga., at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Since 2008, Moss has been senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He routinely preaches and practices a Black theology that calls attention to the problems of mass incarceration, environmental justice, and economic inequality.

In addition to his other ministerial duties, he serves as chaplain of the Children’s Defense Fund’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor Child Advocacy Conference. As part of his community engagement through Trinity, Moss also provides the vision for an ongoing social project in Chicago called Imani Village, which is dedicated to developing and building a physical and social community at the gateway to Chicago’s Pullman Community.

Moss is also the founder and CEO of the Unashamed Media Group, established in 2012. The production company is a faith-based social justice collective, dedicated to curating stories to inspire the heart and challenge structures that hinder human flourishing.

The group’s production, “Otis’ Dream,” is an award-winning, documentary short film highlighting Otis Moss Sr.’s 1946 attempt to vote in Troup County, Ga.

Moss returned to his alma mater, Yale University, in 2014 to participate in the distinguished Lyman Beecher Lectureship, one of the world’s most distinguished lecture series on preaching. Over three days, he delivered lectures entitled “The Blue Note Gospel: Preaching the Prophetic Blues in a Post-Soul World.”

An author as well as lecturer, Moss’ latest book, 2022’s “Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times,” has been lauded as “a life-affirming guide to the practical, political, and spiritual challenges of our day.”

Moss is married to his college sweetheart, the former Monica Brown of Orlando, Fla., a Spelman College and Columbia University graduate. They are the proud parents of two young adults, Elijah Wynton '23 and Makayla Elon.

On Saturday, February 15th, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III and five other individuals will be honored at the 37th annual "A Candle in the Dark" Gala.

To learn more about events during Founder's Week, please visit morehouse.edu/founders-week.