Reverend Dr. Charles Dorsey (2017)
Diverse Community Leader Award Honoree
Reverend Dr. Charles Dorsey (Irvine)
Rev. Dr. Charles Dorsey is the energetic youth pastor at Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvine who has been an activist and mentor to Orange County youth for many years. Through his involvement at COR, he has mentored many young men and has lent a helping hand to those in need. Rev. Dorsey has focused his efforts to help at-risk youth who have gone through difficult situations at home and/or at school, providing them with his time and full support to help them succeed. In addition, he has planned and coordinated the Summer Algebra Institute where students attend and are taught math courses that are geared towards college readiness. Rev. Dorsey also has developed programming that helps youth and community members in general and has coordinated Financial Literacy Seminars that are completely free to the public.
In addition, Rev. Dr. Charles Dorsey has been an outstanding leader in building relations between young African-American men and law enforcement. Recently, Rev Dorsey took on the responsibility of organizing the OC Solidarity March and Summit, which brought police and diverse communities together. Leading up to the march, and in the face of growing tension between Blacks and police, Rev Dorsey became an advocate for dialogue. Facing hostility from some in the community for working with the police instead of crafting an anti-police message, Rev. Dorsey held to the vision of Solidarity as police and community coming together. The March was an overwhelming success, bringing more than 1,000 people together at the event, which was co-sponsored by OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel, the OC Police Chief’s Association plus about 20 community and faith-based organizations.
Rev. Dr. Charles Dorsey is extremely passionate about social justice and has made it part of his life’s mission to advocate for those who are voiceless.
About the Award
Our annual Diverse Community Leaders Award honors individuals and groups who have made extraordinary contributions to Orange County in human or civil rights.
>>Sponsor a Table<<