News

The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ Names First Black Female Executive Director in its 51-year history

Cleveland, OH – 2/15/2023 The Open and Affirming Coalition (ONA) of the United Church of Christ (UCC) has selected Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh as its Executive Director. Though an extensive process, the search committee sought a visionary leader to work alongside the organization’s staff and Leadership Team to guide the Coalition into its next level of being an organization for radical change and welcome that’s rooted in an unwavering support to LGBTQIA+ people in the UCC and beyond.

“I am honored and excited for this opportunity. I realize how important my selection is and I recognize the magnitude of what this opportunity will mean for the LGBTQIA+ community”, said Executive Director Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh. “I accept this challenge because the Coalition has laid the sturdy groundwork to make its next steps forward in reimaging and revisioning, with regeneration as a goal.”

Dr. Marsh has over sixteen years of experience as a clinician working with a diversified client population nationally and internationally. Dr. Marsh’s particular focus has been her work with LGBTQIA+ identified, as well as those who also identify as African American with an active religious and/or spiritual practice. Dr. Marsh holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University – NYC, and a Doctor of Ministry in Interfaith Clinical Education in Psychological Pastoral Counseling from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), NYC. Dr. Marsh is currently completing her second doctorate, Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. She is ABD, writing her dissertation on Chronic Disappointment and Blacks in the United States. She is ordained clergy and holds ministerial standing with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ – DOC) of Northern California-Nevada region, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM), and is a member of City of Refuge UCC, Oakland, CA.

Prior to her selection, Executive Director Marsh assisted with a church start and later church mergers where she served the latter UCC congregation for over twelve years as an Associate Pastor. Dr. Marsh has also served as Executive Director for Oakland Parents Together where she provided parents with tools to strengthen their families against risk factors. She is a published poet, inventor, and expert mental health voice in The Magazine and Blog of the National MS Society who has led various trainings, classes, and mental health workshops for several organizations including Trauma Informed Care for African American LGBTQI Communities (Akron AIDS Collaborative – AAC) and Maintaining Mental and Spiritual Health During This Prolonged Pandemic Time (Northern CA/NV – DOC).

Executive Director Marsh is married to Rev. Tana Roseboro-Marsh, and they reside on the east coast with their Morkie, Xola Darling Roseboro-Marsh.

The search committee chair, and a Coalition Leadership Team member, Rev. Derek Terry noted, “We are excited to welcome Dr. Katrina to our team because of her unique voice, energy, and experience. With the current attack on queerness in schools and communities across the country, we feel an obligation to protect and ensure the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. Accordingly, while some work to erase the experiences of BIPOC people from the pages of history books, we are eager to work with Dr. Katrina as she leads us to increase our advocacy work through an intentionally more intersectional approach.”

Dr. Marsh began serving with the Coalition February 16, 2023.

Dr. Marsh can be reached via email at katrina@openandaffirming.org. Please consider celebrating this milestone with a tax-deductible donation to the Coalition as we continue advocating for the full inclusion and safety of all LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. Visit our Get Involved page to give today. We thank you!