Rev. June R. Cooper
Rev. June R. Cooper is a social justice educator, visionary leader, innovator, and Christian minister.
Rev. Cooper is the Theologian in the City at Old South Church in Copley Square, Boston.
Between 2003 and 2021, June served as Executive Director of City Mission in Boston. Under her visionary leadership she transformed this faith-based organization into a thriving and flourishing ministry to meet the urgent needs of families who experience social and economic injustice as the norm. Her prophetic ministry led to the increased visibility of racial, social, and economic injustices and the representation of people who struggle with housing and food insecurity in both public and religious discourse about equality.
Rev. Cooper leveraged the organization’s collaborations with 200 community partners and 300 diverse congregations to strengthen City Mission’s expanding social justice initiatives. In 2019, she led the launch of City Mission’s already successful Social Justice and Reconciliation Series. In 2020 and 2021 this programming was adapted and offered on social media. Beginning in 2018, she served on the state leadership team of a new national effort, the Poor People’s Campaign, a moral movement to protect the rights of all people. During the winter of 2015, Rev. Cooper convened faith leaders to respond to the abrupt closing of the Long Island Shelter, by establishing safe and warm daytime centers.
Prior to coming to City Mission, Rev. Cooper managed Boston’s federal health Start program, a $100 million initiative that has been credited with significantly decreasing infant mortality during the 90s. Prior to this June was engaged on the national and local levels in advancing cutting edge public health programs to reduce health inequalities. She has served as a trainer and consultant to Fortune 500 organizations to bridge issues of diversity and equality to leadership and mindfulness.
She is an ordained American Baptist Churches, USA minister with dual standing in the United Church of Christ.
