23/07/2025
Meet Liberia's 178th Independence Day Orator.
Ambassador Emmett Lafayette Dunn
Presidential Special Envoy for Partnership and Philanthropy, Republic of Liberia
Executive Secretary/CEO, Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention
Ambassador Emmett Lafayette Dunn is a seasoned international leader, ordained clergy, and passionate advocate for global mission and national development. He currently serves pro bono as Presidential Special Envoy for Partnership and Philanthropy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, a position to which he was appointed by H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. In this capacity, he is responsible for mobilizing international partnerships, philanthropic capital, technical assistance, and diaspora resources in support of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for National Development—particularly in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, reconciliation, and diaspora engagement.
Ambassador Dunn is also the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, an influential global Christian missional community rooted in African American Baptist heritage. Appointed in 2019, he is the first non-U.S.-born individual to lead the organization in its over 127-year history. Under his stewardship, Lott Carey has expanded its footprint across 14 countries, managing a multimillion-dollar annual budget while spearheading initiatives in evangelism, compassion, empowerment, and advocacy.
A native of Liberia, Rev. Dunn’s global impact is rooted in more than three decades of distinguished service. For 22 years, he served with the Baptist World Alliance, holding positions such as Director of the Youth Department and Director of the Baptist World Congress—traveling to over 100 countries promoting youth leadership, peacebuilding, and mission development.
His career began at Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia, Liberia, where he was ordained in 1987 and served as Director of Christian Education. He later pastored West Hyattsville Baptist Church in Maryland, USA, before taking on global leadership roles that bridged ministry and international development.
Ambassador Dunn currently serves in numerous national and international capacities, including:
• Member, Presidential Committee on the Reburial of Former Presidents William R. Tolbert, Jr. and Samuel K. Doe
• National Chair, Liberia Diaspora Annual Conference Planning Committee
• Chairman, Empowerment Squared – Liberia and William R. Tolbert, Jr. Foundation
• Board Member, American Red Cross of Southern Maryland, General Board of Ministries (American Baptist Churches, USA), Churches for Middle Eastern Peace, District of Columbia Baptist Foundation
• Member, Honorary Board of Governors, Liberia Community Association of Washington D.C. Metro Area
• President, North American Baptist Fellowship
• Member, Global Council, Baptist World Alliance
He is also active in civil society, serving as a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Monrovia, and holding past leadership roles such as:
• Chair, Board of Advisors, Ricks Institute, Liberia
• Trustee, Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary
• President, Providence Baptist Fellowship, USA
• Member, NAACP International Affairs Committee
Ambassador Dunn’s commitment to Liberia is especially evident through his leadership in initiatives like Empowerment Squared–Liberia, where he is helping establish the Liberian Learning Center, a pioneering educational resource hub offering library services, digital literacy, and academic support to underserved communities. He also champions programs for scholarships, school infrastructure development, child nutrition, vaccinations, and rural healthcare access.
A respected conference and event leader, Rev. Dunn is affiliated with the Professional Conference Managers Association (PCMA), National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP), and Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA).
His academic credentials include:
• Bachelor of Theology, Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (1986)
• Graduate Certificate, Virginia Theological Seminary (1989)
• Master of Divinity, Howard University School of Divinity (1991)
• Honorary Doctor of Divinity, Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (2014)
Ambassador Dunn is married to Suan J. Dunn, and they are the proud parents of three children: LeAnn Amal, Emmett Lafayette Jr., and Annette Olivia.
Through his faith, diplomacy, and leadership, Ambassador Emmett L. Dunn continues to build bridges between communities, mobilize transformative resources, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s renewal and global Christian mission.
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