Dennis L. Slaughter

Dennis L. Slaughter was born and reared in Jackson, MS. He is the son, grandson, brother, nephew, and cousin of preachers, pastors, lay speakers, and church musicians. He has spent all of his life attending and working in and around churches. He was educated in the public schools of Jackson and began piano lessons shortly after learning to read. He began directing children’s church choirs when he was 10 years old and participated in leadership roles in school and church choirs throughout his middle school, high school, and college years. Through his association with preachers and congregations, he has enhanced his study of Holy Scriptures, teaching, and public speaking.

Brother Dennis, as he is affectionately known, is the founding director of the Boston Community Choir and has, since 1995, been the artistic director of the Boston Pops Gospel Choir. The Pops Gospel Choir has at least one annual performance where it is featured with the orchestra, and typically, appears on other Pops programming with smaller roles. Brother Dennis has received numerous awards for his talent and community service including Boston Neighborhood Fellows Award (The Philanthropic Initiative, Inc.), Community Builder Award (Town of Milton, MA), and Gospel Music Award (New England Conservatory of Music).

Brother Dennis Slaughter has served in roles as Minister of Music in Mississippi, Colorado, and Massachusetts. He has filled leadership posts in Baptist, African Methodist Episcopal, and United Methodist churches over his 40 years of service.

In addition to his musical life, Brother Dennis is also an educator. He began his career as a teacher, and then went on to be a principal, central office administrator, program director, and organization development specialist. He has over 25 years of direct experience in organization development, crisis management, advocacy, team building, consulting, and community outreach/organizing.

He holds an undergraduate degree in music from the University of Southern Mississippi, a master’s degree in education administration and policy studies from Boston University, and an additional master’s degree from Boston University in theological studies. His doctoral degree in law and policy is from Northeastern University.

He is the proud husband of Dr. Olivia Moorehead-Slaughter (a clinical psychologist to whom he has been happily married since 1985). They are the blessed parents of two adult sons, Khari and Gyasi. He is convinced that through God, all things are possible.