On Feb. 1, the Rev. Deacon Miguel Bustos began as The Episcopal Church’s manager for Racial Reconciliation and Justice. Based in San Francisco, he is a respected leader in racial and social justice with deep experience mobilizing people and resources for movement. He is filling a vacant position in the Department of Reconciliation, Justice and Creation, which is led by the Rev. Melanie Mullen.
“I feel blessed to be able to join The Episcopal Church’s Office of Racial Justice and Reconciliation,” Bustos said. “I believe that my career, spiritual path, and ancestors have led me to this moment with you. To be part of this movement of Becoming a Beloved Community is a gift from God. In addition, I am incredibly honored to work with incredible leaders within the church: Presiding Bishop Curry, Canon Stephanie Spellers, Reverend Melanie Mullen, and the entire team. And I look forward to partnering with you all in this sacred work.”
Bustos will facilitate and support the church’s work of racial reconciliation, justice and healing, guiding strategic efforts to inspire, mobilize, form, gather, and celebrate Episcopalians engaged in the ministries of racial justice, healing, and reconciliation. He will also bring special focus to racial justice, public witness and action, truth-telling about our churches and race, and repairing the breach.
Most recently Bustos served as chief of Global Initiatives and senior director of the Center for Social Justice at the Glide Foundation, an arm of Glide Memorial Church, one of America’s most dynamic and justice-focused Protestant churches. Prior to joining the team at Glide, he was director of government and community relations at Wells Fargo (2012-2018) and senior program manager at the Levi Strauss Foundation (2010-2012). He spent years as a strategist, advisor, and staff leader in the Clinton White House, with Vice President Al Gore and Mrs. Tipper Gore, and with Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
He is the cathedral deacon at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral and serves on the board of the diocese of California’s School for Deacons. Bustos holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations from Holy Names University, a Master of Arts in international peace and conflict resolution from the American University, and a Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s College of California. He serves on the boards of MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation and Hispanics in Philanthropy and is a mentor in the Trinity Church-Wall Street Fellows Program. Born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District, Bustos lives there with his fiancé, Alex.