(AURN News) — Bishop Kwabena Albert “Rainey” Cheeks, a longtime D.C. pastor and HIV/AIDS activist, died Aug. 11 at Georgetown University Hospital at age 74, according to the Washington Blade.
Cheeks founded Inner Light Ministries, an LGBTQ-supportive church, in 1993 and served as senior pastor until retiring in 2018.
He also founded Us Helping Us, People Into Living in 1985, creating programs focused on HIV treatment, prevention and support for Black LGBTQ communities.
Cheeks also helped open the Clubhouse in 1975, a major gathering place for Black LGBTQ Washingtonians.
Beyond ministry and activism, he was a ninth-degree Tae Kwon Do grandmaster and was inducted into the Tae Kwon Do International Hall of Fame.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Aug. 29 at First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C.
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