Bishop Douglas Miles, a passionate and energetic community organizer credited with driving social justice as the co-chair of Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), died Tuesday at 72 years old, local media reported.
The Baltimore AFRO reported that Miles, founder of the Koinonia Baptist Church, died following heart surgery.
AFRO Managing Editor Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware wrote that she met Miles in 1961 at Booker T. Washington Junior High School, where they were enrolled in an accelerated program that allowed them to finish three years of study in two years and move on to high school early.
Boulware was 11 years old at the time, but even then she knew “the good Bishop would go on from there to do great things. And we weren’t wrong.”
Miles founded the Koinonia Baptist Church in 1992. The church was originally located on Greemont Avenue and later moved to its current location on Belair Road, the Baltimore Sun reported.
Koinonia Baptist Church’s Facebook page posted that Miles was “a pioneer for the unjust, underserved, and underprivileged. A teacher, leader, and a Pillar in Baltimore City, the State of Maryland and beyond.”
Miles was also involved with several social justice efforts, including helping to create the College Bound Foundation to provide college financial aid for Baltimore City public school students, advocating for the construction of affordable housing for low- and moderate- income families, and pushing for the rebuilding of East Baltimore’s Oliver neighborhood following a fatal firebombing, among many other efforts, the Sun reported.
Boulware noted the duality of Miles’ death, calling it both a “great day” because Baltimore “wouldn’t have been as great without his investment and that of his family and church members”; and a “sad day” for his family and those “who’ve labored alongside him and watched him minister with a heart to serve.”
Baltimore and Maryland elected officials and other leaders paid tribute to Miles on social media.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said Miles “embodied what it meant to be a servant leader.”
“Not only did he pray for progress, but he did the work,” Scott said. “Baltimore is a better place thanks to the grace and hope that Bishop Miles gave so many. His life and legacy shall never be forgotten. Job well done.”
Bishop Douglas Miles embodied what it meant to be a servant leader. Not only did he pray for progress, but he did the work. Baltimore is a better place thanks to the grace and hope that Bishop Miles gave so many. His life and legacy shall never be forgotten. Job well done. https://t.co/LFf2BdepB7
— Brandon M. Scott (@MayorBMScott) August 4, 2021
Baltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen (District 1) said Miles was a “major influence” for Cohen’s brother while he worked for Child First.
“His voice and brilliant mind will be badly missed,” Cohen said.
Bishop Miles was a legend for anyone interested in learning about Baltimore’s proud legacy of community organizing. He had a major influence on my brother when he worked for Child First. His voice and brilliant mind will be badly missed.
Rest in power. https://t.co/rLQUYLk2Pl
— Zeke Cohen (@Zeke_Cohen) August 3, 2021
Child First’s Twitter account posted that Miles was “instrumental in many social justice efforts” through BUILD and his church. He also helped create Child First in 1996.
“Bishop Miles was a man of principles and a pillar in the Baltimore landscape. His advocacy and agitation and vision will be missed,” Child First said.
He was instrumental in many social justice efforts through BUILD and through his church.
Bishop Miles was a man of principles and a pillar in the Baltimore landscape. His advocacy and agitation and vision will be missed.— Child FIRST (@CFAuthority) August 4, 2021
On Facebook, Family League of Baltimore remembered Miles as “a dedicated advocate for youth, balancing his fierce commitment to community with loving accountability and continuing programming even through the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Baltimore owes a great deal of gratitude to the Bishop,” said the city’s comptroller, Bill Henry. “He will be missed, and constantly remembered.”
Baltimore owes a great deal of gratitude to the Bishop. He will be missed, and constantly remembered. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/9V0phzA8zO
— Comptroller Bill (@BillforBmore) August 4, 2021
U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), said Miles was “a dedicated fighter for justice and a friend of 48 years.”
Miles’ wife, Rosanna, and their sons, Harvey and Dante, “are in our hearts and in our prayers,” Mfume said.
We are all deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Bishop Douglas Miles, a dedicated fighter for justice and a friend of 48 years. Anna, you, Dante and Harvey are in our hearts and in our prayers. pic.twitter.com/nxvmM0ceVs
— Kweisi Mfume (@RepKweisiMfume) August 4, 2021
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) remembered the late bishop as a “lion for justice” who “inspired us to fight harder for those in need.”
MD has lost a lion for justice. Bishop Miles not only pastored his church, but the whole community. In founding BUILD, he inspired us to fight harder for those in need. I was honored to work w/ him on health care, affordable housing & preventing teen tobacco use. He’ll be missed. https://t.co/sqXFDeGL6Z
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) August 3, 2021
Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore City Health Commissioner, said “Baltimore has lost one of its greats who led and lived with so much courage and heart.”
Very sad news. Baltimore has lost one of its greats who led and lived with so much courage and heart. Rest In Power Bishop Douglas Miles. https://t.co/hdl33b5aPy
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) August 4, 2021
Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, called Miles “a Baltimore institution and leader.”
A #Baltimore institution and leader has passed. Rest in Power #BishopDougMiles https://t.co/HUfIdJYOFp
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) August 4, 2021
Tom Hall, host of WYPR’s On the Record, said “We have lost an erudite, fierce, loving, brilliant generous marvel of a man.”
We have lost an erudite, fierce, loving, brilliant generous marvel of a man. Rest in power Bishop Douglas Miles. https://t.co/dHSY1hj8Ki
— Tom Hall (@tomhallwypr) August 4, 2021
Former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor of Maryland, said Miles’ work with BUILD and his advocacy for affordable housing in Baltimore will be “his cherished legacy.”
Saddened to hear of the passing of Bishop Douglas Miles. The work he did with BUILD and his advocacy of affordable housing in Baltimore will be his cherished legacy. May his memory be a blessing.
— Doug Gansler (@DougGansler) August 3, 2021
