Davin Clemons

Rev. Dr. Davin D. Clemons, DMin

Co-Founder of The Cathedral Praise Church of Memphis

National Chaplin for United Progressive Pentecostal Fellowship Church

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, the Reverend Dr. Davin Clemons is a public servant, civil rights activist, religious trailblazer, human rights advocate, entrepreneur, award winning community leader, and future politician. Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of The Cathedral of Praise Church of Memphis, Inc., Dr. Clemons is also an ordained Elder of The United Progressive Pentecostal Church. In 2018, Dr. Clemons was installed by Presiding Prelate Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen, III as National Chaplain of the United Progressive Pentecostal Church within the United Progressive Pentecostal Church Fellowship.

Early Christian experiences of being ostracized by trusted religious leaders influenced Clemons to take charge of his Christian experience and enroll in Memphis Theological Seminary, where he earned both masters and doctorate degrees in Leadership in Ministry, broadened his theological base, and shifted his theological paradigm to liberation theology. In August 2012, Bishop Darnell Gooch Jr., DMin., (husband) and Dr. Davin D. Clemons opened The Cathedral as a place for spiritual restoration and refuge for all people regardless of their differences, the first ministry in Memphis intentionally centered around ministry to the African-American LGBTQ community. In 2016, Bishop Gooch and Dr. Clemons co-founded The Cathedral Foundation, responding to the needs of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their community by providing direct services and support. As Vice President of The Cathedral Foundation, Dr. Clemons assists his husband in overseeing their yearly convention of Tri-State Black Gay Pride, launched in 2017 to showcase unity, outreach, and empowerment.

In 2014, Dr. Clemons along with his mother and business partner Gwendolyn D. Clemons founded The Unleashed Voice Media Firm, consisting of The Unleashed Voice Radio Show, The Unleashed Voice Magazine, and Relationship Unleashed, a 501c3 nonprofit that provides year-round comprehensive programming for the LGBTQ community. Dr. Clemons is also an 18-year employee of Memphis Police Department and currently serves as its LGBTQ Liaison. Among his many efforts, Dr. Clemons joined Clergy Defining Rights for All and played an integral role in winning an anti-discrimination workplace protection for LGBTQ employees of The City of Memphis. In 2019, Dr. Clemons announced his candidacy for Memphis City Council District 6. Although unsuccessful in his bid for public office, his zeal and passion for his community won the popular vote.

Dr. Clemons recent accolades include: 2020 Business Equality Advocate Pride 40 LGBTQ+/SGL Leaders; 2019 Tennessee Pride of Champion Award by The Advocate Magazine; 2019 Business Owner of the Year for Hope of Light Award honored for Outstanding HIV/AIDS Advocacy by The Shelby County Health Department; 2018 Black Power 100 Top LGBTQ Professional; Top 40 Under 40 for Most Influential Urban and Elite Professionals in Memphis, TN in 2018; Radio Show Hosts of The Year 2017; Black LGBTQ Magazine of the Year 2017; Keynote Speaker at Calvary Episcopal Church’s Lenten Preaching Series in 2014.