David Hilliard Eaton

Rev. David Hilliard Eaton (1932 – October 21, 1992) was the first African-American minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian of Washington, D.C., and an influential citizen of Washington DC politics from the 1960s until his death. Under his leadership, the All Souls Church became a center of social activism, with a racially balanced congregation.

Early life and education Eaton was born in Washington, D.C. After graduating from Dunbar High School, he earned a bachelor's degree in 1954 from Howard University. He earned his S.T.B. and M. Div. degrees at the Boston University School of Theology. Eaton served as a Second Lieutenant with the newly integrated Fourth Infantry Division in Germany in 1954. He was ordained a Methodist minister in 1957.

In 1964, Eaton founded the Washington Institute for Employment Training, which became the local branch of the Opportunities Industrialization Center.

In 1968, Eaton joined the faculty of Federal City College as associate dean of community education and assistant professor of philosophy. In later years he served as dean of student services.

For about 15 years from the 1960s to 1970s, Eaton was the host of "Speakup", a late-night call-in show on WOL (AM), which ran from 11 pm to 1 am Sunday night into Monday morning.

Death and burial Eaton died from complications due to Hepatitis B. Eaton is interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

Honors and awards The Washingtonian of the Year Award from Washingtonian magazine (1976) The Citizen of the Year Award from the local chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (1976) The Man-of-the-Year Award from the Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington (1983) The UUA Clarence Skinner Award for his sermon "Racism is Alive and Well" (1985) An honorary doctorate from the Starr King School for the Ministry (1986) The Man of the Year Award from the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington (1990) The UUA Holmes-Weatherly Award for commitment to social justice (1992)