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Deborah Elandus Lake, author of Your Neighbor Has AIDS a book for the family members of people living with HIV/AIDS, has a long history of addressing homophobia, racism, and misogyny in her writing, non-partisan political activism, and community leadership. A non-denominational minister and sought after public speaker, She has an M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in New York, and two years post-degree education in clinical pastoral education, trauma, and domestic violence.

In New York, she was the Director of African/American Outreach for the Metropolitan Community Church in New York (MCC/NY). She relocated to Chicago to accept a 1-year chaplain residency at RUSH University Medical Center. Lake was also chaplain at the Ruth Rothstein CORE Center, where she provided spiritual care to people living with HIV/AIDS. At both RUSH and CORE, she was a crucial part of the interdisciplinary team of professional caregivers. In 2004, Lake founded Sankofa Way to address oppression, teach non-partisan political activism, and develop HIV/AIDS and domestic violence training for clergy. She recently left her position with Sankofa Way to write her second book and train to run in her first marathon to raise money to stop AIDS.

Lake has continued to address the importance of including spiritual concerns as part of a global approach to wellness by clarifying what is meant by the separation of church and state, and developing resources to teach clergy and lay people how to respect this tradition. Her upcoming book, A Call to Action: HIV/AIDS & You gives practical guidance on how to move past fear, judgment, and ignorance without abandoning your personal belief system.

Columnist for the Windy City Media group, advisory board member for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Minority Health and Resource Center, producer and host for the BlogTalkRadio program, All the Way IN, licensed facilitator for the Sidran Institute’s Risking Connection program, marathoner, educator, and public speaker, Lake continues to find innovative ways to combine her role as minister, teacher, and activist to stop the hurt caused by hate.

INTERVIEWED BY:

Chicago Tribune

Fox News

National Public Radio (NPR)
WTTW (Window To The World)
El Mundo
US News & World Report
Common Dreams
ABC News