2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Award: Pastor Sharon Buttry

This award is given to a member or organization of Faith that has stood up for justice, equality, inclusion, and righteousness. This awardee has stood with the oppressed, the forgotten, and the marginalized of society.

Rev. Sharon A. Buttry, MSW retired in 2019 as Associate Director of Training and Education at the International Hope Center based in Hamtramck, Michigan. She retired in 2018 as Global Consultant for Community Transformation with International Ministries, American Baptist Churches, USA. Rev. Buttry has extensive experience in urban community development in the United States and has led workshops in faith-based community development and trauma awareness/recovery in Poland, Belgium,

Switzerland, Italy, India, Myanmar, Nagaland, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Philippines, Thailand, and the Middle East.


She earned graduate degrees in ministry and social work in Philadelphia (U PENN) between 1992-1996 and was ordained in 1996 via the American Baptist Churches at Calvary Baptist Church of Norristown, PA. Rev. Buttry has been a leader in the Detroit area in interfaith relationships and serves as a voluntary police chaplain in Hamtramck. She was the founding leader in 2006 of the Hamtramck Community Initiative, which continues to focus on positive community & police relations.

She has volunteered with the Detroit Hamtramck Coalition for Advancing Healthy Environment since 2016,

advocating for environmental justice, especially improved public health outcomes by holding industry accountable for pollution. Rev. Sharon Buttry is married to Rev. Dr. Daniel Buttry, retired Global Consultant for Peace and Justice, International Ministries, American Baptist Churches. They live in a house they rescued from blight in Hamtramck, Michigan, known as Hopewell House, where they mentor ministry leaders, house asylum seekers, and are caregivers for their granddaughter Liliana. They are parents of three adult children and three grandchildren, residing in Michigan and Texas. Rev. Buttry’s interests include gardening, painting, and taking people on tours

Honor the legacy

Donate your money, time or both to Michigan United

Join the 3.5 percent moving Michigan forward. Become a member to build people power in your community. Donate to turn that power into real wins in housing, immigration, and economic dignity.

JOIN

DONATE

Recent News & Media

  • All
  • Blog
  • Detroit
  • Immigrant Rights
  • Movement Politics
  • News & Media
  • Statewide
  • Election Protection
  • Flint
  • Victories
  • Immigration
  • Legal Services
  • Press Release
  • Eastern Michigan
  • Saginaw
  • Northern Michigan
  • Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP)
  • Taking Back Our Power
Michigan United at Cinco de Mayo
Yesterday, we marched in Detroit’s annual Cinco de Mayo Parade with a clear message: IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOME!
Protecting the Election in Flint’s Third Ward
We were out in Flint, protecting your right to vote in yesterday's 3rd Ward special city council election If you see something, say something. Help us protect the vote. Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
Get on the Bus: Capitol Day 2025
Join us at Capitol Day 2025 on Wednesday, April 23 in Lansing, organized by Michigan United and partner organizations.
¿Estás pensando en clases de ciudadanía estadounidense? ¡Avísanos, queremos empezar en febrero!
Una breve explicación y encuesta sobre qué día y horario elegir para iniciar nuestra próxima serie de 14 semanas.
Thinking of US Citizenship Classes? Let Us Know
A brief explanation and survey on what day and time to start our next 14-week series.
MU in the Streets: Images from “NO KINGS” 2025
Michigan United and Michigan United Action were out organizing and supporting the people.
MU in the News: “Resist: Juneteenth 2025” in the Detroit News
Read what the Detroit News said about the kickoff of our "Resist:Juneteenth 2025 Week of Resistance" event.
MU Organizing Report: Week of August 28th
JOINDONATEJOINDONATE MU in Action Labor Day in Houghton, MI--Collecting Signatures in the SunSome snaps of our leaders Alexis Tater and Hal Gemignani collecting signatures for Invest in MIKids at the Houghton Labor Day event. We collected 150 signatures! If getting involved is what you'd like to do: Join Project 3.5We want to organize 3.5% of … Continue reading MU Organizing Report: Week of August 28th
A Healthy Democracy Is Not for Sale: Reclaiming a Government for the People
A vast majority of Americans across the political spectrum believe that money in politics is a significant problem . Here’s why political corruption is so dangerous