ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Well-known civil rights activist and faith leader Reverend Lewis Stewart is announcing his retirement as president of United Christian Leadership Ministry.

What You Need To Know

  • Well-known civil rights activist and faith leader Reverend Lewis Stewart is announcing his retirement as president of United Christian Leadership Ministry
  • The 76-year-old came to the decision because he believes UCLM can be managed with younger leadership, he wants to pursue some other interests and for health reasons
  • Stewart spent six decades fighting for social justice, police oversight and equality

“The activism has been my whole life," said Rev. Lewis Stewart, who is looking back on six decades of his life that he dedicated to the cause of ending systemic racism. “In the bottom final analysis, we share this tiny planet. We've all got to get along here and work together. If we don't, then we're gonna participate in a chaotic destruction of this country that we don't want to see.”

The Greater Rochester community knows Stewart well. The president of United Christian Leadership Ministry has hosted countless news conferences and events over the years calling for social justice, police oversight and equality. Now, after six decades of activism, civil rights leadership and preaching from the pulpit – Stewart is making a change.

“The fact that at 76 I needed to retire because I think UCLM would be a much more effective and powerful organization in the city and in the county and in the state if it had younger leadership," said Stewart.

A recent second cancer diagnosis is also playing a role in the decision to take a step back.

“I came to the point where I've given this my best. I'm tired. It stresses you out and you need to transition to go on to other things,” said Stewart. “It's not that I'm going to forget who I am, but I have other gifts that I have not expressed to the fullest potential and I want to try it. I want to see where that takes me.”

Stewart’s wisdom is inspired by his own experiences – a young Black teen growing up in the 1960s. He attended the March on Washington in 1963 and participated in protests and rallies calling for racial equity.

“I know the smell of tear gas. I know what tear gas can do," said the reverend who got inspiration over the years from the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other high-profile Black leaders.

“She was the first Black woman to run for the presidency of the United State …. and so I invited Shirley Chisolm, Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm, here to Rochester at least twice," said Stewart.

In Rochester, he has stood beside those alleging police brutality and misconduct. His methods, though, have been dismissed at times by some Black Lives Matter leaders.

“People can say that I personally am out of touch and enough talk, but we've gotten things done. That’s the issue. We've gotten things done that nobody else can get done," said Stewart, who adds he would have liked to have seen even more accomplished. But he recognizes the road to systemic change is long.

He steps down knowing he moved the ball forward.

“Know that I have this community and wider Monroe community and New York community in my heart and in my prayers because I do want to see things better for all people,” he said. “It's time to stop hating and to start looking at each other's humanity.”

Stewart was honored at a special event Thursday evening.