Chancery Names Dr. Chiquita Tuttle to new African American Pastoral Center Post

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has appointed Dr. Chiquita T. Tuttle as coordinator for the African American Pastoral Center (AAPC), effective June 19, 2023. 

Dr. Tuttle is an outstanding appointee for this role, with extensive experience and skill in managing teams and relationships, as well as working within organizations of the Oakland Diocese. She holds two masters in business administration, a doctorate (PhD) in health service administration with a concentration in public health policy, and is president and CEO of her own consulting firm. 

As coordinator, Dr. Tuttle will be working within the office of Faith Formation and Evangelization, led by Father Jimmy Macalinao. Dr. Tuttle will be rebuilding the AAPC to align with the National Black Catholic Congress, while meeting the needs of the Black Catholics in the Diocese of Oakland. This process will consist of listening, evangelizing, and bringing recognition of and purpose to the African American community in the Diocese of Oakland. The African American Pastoral Center will focus its goal on racial and social justice within the church, systematically leveraging the spirituality, cultural expressions, and God-given gifts of African American Catholics to the church.

Dr. Tuttle is very active in the diocese, having served on the Racial Justice Task Force and as chair of the sub committee of the AAPC. At St. Benedict Parish, Dr. Tuttle serves on the finance committee and parish pastoral council, of which she was chair for many years. Prior to her current roles, Dr. Tuttle was appointed to the diocesan school board by Bishop John Cummins, where she served for eight years as parent liaison to the California Conference of Bishops. She is also a recipient of the Mother Seton Award, the Bishop’s Diocesan Medal of Merit, and was given the Sister Thea Bowman award from Saint Columba Parish.