Rev. Thomas B. Watson, III, Senior Pastor of Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries, has dedicated his life to public service as a pastor, community organizer and leader in the city of New Orleans. In 1988, Tom Watson was ordained into ministry. He serves as Senior Pastor of Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries (located in Uptown and Algiers). He is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserves where he holds the rank of Major. He also worked in several programs in conjunction with the city’s Welfare Department, including the Youth Service Bureau, Juvenile Treatment, Community Court Associated Programs, Assistant Superintendent of Youth Study Center and Superintendent of Milne Boys Home. He has worked with city and community leaders to help families get ahead by establishing programs that strengthen and empower the fiber of New Orleans. To expand the services provided to New Orleans citizens, Pastor Watson started the Family Center of Hope, the community outreach arm of the ministry, in 1991; and in 1997, he opened the Watson Memorial Christian Academy. He started an annual Citywide Men’s Conference and the 1000 Man March that addresses the multidimensional needs of families. He is the founder of the Youth March-for-Jobs Initiative that promoted employment of young people during the summer of 1994 when the city’s murder rate skyrocketed to over 400. Pastor Watson served as co-chair of the New Orleans Public Schools Taskforce on Dropout Prevention and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Weed and Seed Crime Fighting Program. His life and brave actions reflect his need to give back to the community and a personal responsibility to do what is right and just. In 2006, Pastor Watson offered his time, talents and leadership to run for mayor of New Orleans to ensure that the city was rebuilt with equity. During the campaign, Mayor C. Ray Nagin recognized Pastor Watson’s passion for the people of New Orleans, and upon winning re-election, appointed Pastor Watson chair of the Repopulation of New Orleans Sub-committee. In this position, Pastor advises the mayor on overcoming obstacles that prevent New Orleanians from returning home. He also serves on the board of the Audubon Commission, Sophie B. Wright Charter School and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference. And he is a leading voice on churches not being forgotten in the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina by serving as chair of the Greater New Orleans Clergy for Restoration Justice. Pastor Watson has made several trips to Washington D.C. to garner support among lawmakers to support ministers’ capacity to rebuild their churches and communities. Pastor Watson was born on September 29,1955 in New Orleans to Aubrey and Lillie Mae Watson. He and his seven brothers and sisters grew up in Central City. He graduated from McDonough #35 High School in 1973. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Xavier University of Louisiana in 1973 and a Master of Social Work from Tulane University in 1979. He also attended New Orleans Baptist and  Metropolitan Theological Seminaries. Pastor Watson is married to Rev. Patricia Watson, who serves as Principal of the Christian Academy and Administrator of Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries. Pastor and Rev. Pat have four children and four grandchildren.