DHS/FEMA Welcome Director for DHS Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Center

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) welcomes Marcus T. Coleman to the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (DHS Partnership Center) as Director. Mr. Coleman was appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration to lead the organization’s efforts to foster partnerships between government and faith-based organizations. White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Executive Director, Melissa Rogers, said “Marcus Coleman is a seasoned leader who brings outstanding skills and deep compassion to this work. We are thrilled that he will lead FEMA’s partnerships with faith and community organizations.”

“Our faith and nonprofit leaders are often on the frontlines of disasters and some of our best emergency managers,” said Mr. Coleman. “I am thrilled to join the Biden-Harris Administration and return to FEMA to liaise with the faith and nonprofit communities, and to help build strong bridges and protect and serve communities at-risk of disaster. Together, we have the ability to build back better and even stronger than before.”

On February 14, 2021, President Biden reestablished the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and federal agency centers. In addition to their stated mission of  outreach to stakeholders of all backgrounds and beliefs, the Centers were charged to execute the administration’s mission to boost economic recovery, combat systemic racism, increase opportunity and mobility for historically disadvantaged communities, advance international development and global humanitarian work and strengthen pluralism and respect constitutional guarantees.

Mr. Coleman’s appointment follows that of DHS Center Director (2009-2017) David L. Myers. David said of Mr. Coleman’s appointment, “President Biden could not have appointed a better prepared and more capable leader than Marcus Coleman to direct the DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The country and the president will be well served by Marcus’ years of experience at the Center, his expertise in emergency preparedness, and his robust network of trusted relationships with faith-based, civic, and government partners.”

Partners of the Center and colleagues lauded Mr. Coleman’s appointment:

“Congratulations to Marcus Coleman on his appointment as Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. We at The Potter’s House look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with Marcus as he embarks on this new role that is critical to the safety and security of houses of worship as well as to our work in aiding and building communities.”  - Bishop T.D. Jakes, Senior Pastor, The Potter's House

“We enthusiastically welcome the appointment of Marcus T. Coleman as the Director, DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Marcus Coleman is an experienced leader who has provided support to the Faith based community for many years in previous positions. His appointment to this important new role will allow him to rebuild and strengthen partnerships with faith-based partners. We would like to thank DHS and FEMA leadership for recognizing Marcus Coleman’s abilities and appointing him to this position. We look forward to reconnecting and partnering with him and FEMA.” - Jeremy Yamin, Associate Vice President, Director of Security & Operations, Combined Jewish Philanthropies

"Marcus T. Coleman has been an outstanding connection for the sports community to the work that's needed on the ground.  His work with disaster relief has allowed the work of the pro athletes I work with to be amplified and more directed to the needs they were intended to address.  We congratulate him on this appointment and look forward to continuing our work together." - Joe Briggs, Counsel, National Football League Players Association

"The National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NALEC) welcomes the appointment of Mr. Marcus Coleman to the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at DHS.  Over the years, NALEC has worked closely with Mr. Coleman in responses to natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy in the Northeast, and Hurricanes Maria and Irma in Florida and Puerto Rico. Marcus is a proven and committed leader and a true public servant who knows how to steward well partnerships with diverse faith and community leaders. We are thankful for Marcus' service and deeply appreciative for his appointment." - Revs. Gabriel and Jeanette Salguero; Co-founders, National Latino Evangelical Coalition; Pastors, The Gathering Place Assemblies of God

"Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation congratulates Marcus Coleman on his new role and position. Marcus has extensive community relationships and hears the community grassroot voices and knows the community's diversity, equity, and inclusion strength. As a faith-based representative, Buddhist Tzu Chi is so grateful for his willingness to support the Interfaith’s Climate Emergency Initiative, Pandemic Grande Lessons Learning Education and Food Security Workstream. We are looking forward to working with his compassion in action and faith innovation beliefs." - Debra Boudreau, Executive Vice President, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation

“Islamic Relief USA welcomes the appointment of Marcus Coleman to the Department of Homeland Security as Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Mr. Coleman has been a peerless advocate in helping those who have suffered tremendous loss due to disasters.  He has demonstrated compassion and excellent leadership skills. We are confident he will do an outstanding job as the new Director.  IRUSA’s various relief, rescue, and recovery operations have benefited from his support and promotion.  We look forward to working with him and the Center to advance their engagement with diverse faith partners in emergency management.” - Sharif Aly, Chief Executive Officer of Islamic Relief USA

"National VOAD is thrilled to work alongside and support Marcus Coleman’s leadership of the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships! Marcus has been an incredible advocate of the VOAD Movement, disaster survivors, and the underserved and underrepresented for many years. I can’t think of a better person for this role and look forward to many more years of partnership." - Katherine Boatwright, Director of Operations, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters

"I had the privilege of serving with Marcus Coleman during the Obama administration where he consistently demonstrated an abiding commitment to public service. It is incredibly gratifying to see someone of Mr. Coleman's caliber appointed to lead the DHS/FEMA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships as its mission is critically relevant in these times. He exemplifies the Howard University ideals of excellence in Truth and Service." - Paul Monteiro, Assistant Vice President of External Affairs, Howard University

"Marcus Coleman is a highly skilled community leader whose knack for building partnerships and deepening connection has made him a beloved and successful leader of Truman's DC Chapter. I know he'll bring this same talent to his service at DHS in this exciting new role." - Jenna Ben Yehuda, President & CEO of the Truman National Security Project

“The appointment of Marcus Coleman as Director is good news for the All Healers Mental Health Alliance. He has been an incredible thought leader over the years in educating community advocates about disaster preparedness and actively helping connect disaster-affected marginalized people to FEMA resources. As a fellow graduate of Howard University, an HBCU, Mr. Coleman is uniquely poised to direct this Administration in ensuring equity across diverse racial and ethnic communities served by the Department of Homeland Security.” - Annelle Primm, MD, MPH, Chair, All Healers Mental Health Alliance

"Marcus is a true servant leader who believes in the mission of building the whole of community with the faith-based community." – Craig Fugate, Chief Resilience Officer, One Concern

The DHS Partnerships Center carries out the policies and program priorities of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, DHS and FEMA for faith and community-based organizations related to all-hazards preparedness, emergency and disaster response and recovery, safety, security, and human trafficking. The DHS Partnerships Center offers a variety of resources to the public at fema.gov/faith.

DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships 

Have a comment, question or looking for information? E-mail us at Partnerships@fema.dhs.gov