Carolina, Demetrius

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Ministry

Acknowledged by NY as among the Staten Island Power 100 & as NYC Power 100 Religious leaders for the past 5 years, Rev. Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina has distinguished himself as an effective regional proven leader. He serves as Senior Pastor at First Central Baptist Church. He is also CEO of Dior Consultants LLC, a de-carbonization alternative energy development corporation. He is an Adjunct Professor at St. John’s University in the School of Education & HJ International Graduate School. He served as Executive Director of the Central Family Life Center, the most prominent Black & Brown Nonprofit Organization in Staten Island.

Rev. Dr. Carolina was appointed as a Commissioner of Human Rights in 2015 by Mayor Bill de Blasio & is the recipient of the 2017 NYC Council MLK Community Award & various other awards & recognitions. He served on the Civil Complaint Review Board for NYC until Feb. 2023. He founded The Staten Island Black History Town Hall Meeting & served as lead advocate in bringing the nationally recognized Eagle Academy to Staten Island. He organized the only Cure Violence Initiative on Staten Island, True 2 Life.

Rev. Dr. Carolina holds a master’s degree in educational administration leadership from Temple University & a Doctorate in Educational Leadership/Management from the University of Phoenix. He is a great husband married to a wonderful woman Josenia Ruiz-Carolina & father of 4 amazing children. Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina continues to work hard for the community as he goes by his aphorism Growing, moving, & committed to kingdom building.