Reverend Laura Reyes is a native of Boston, MA. She is the widow of Israel A. Reyes. She has two sons, Anthony Buchanan and Rayshawn Buchanan. In 2001, Rev. Reyes became the first female to serve in an all-male county jail and served in this capacity for 21 years. Reverend Reyes was ordained in 2006 by the United Baptist Convention, where she now serves in leadership at the United Baptist Convention of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. She serves as the first vice president and will become the first female president in the organization’s over 100-year history. Reverend Reyes is the Senior Pastor of United Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, MA. She is currently serving in her 16th year in the Pastoral Commitment. She is skilled in preaching, teaching, and pastoral counseling, including drug addiction and marriage. Reverend Reyes had also served as a mentor for the R.E.A.L BWIM organization. Reverend Reyes was featured in the Boston Globe in 2014 for her ministry, titled “The Minister Goes Where the Need Is.” Reverend Reyes has received the multiple awards, including most recently 2023 – Inspirational Pastor of the Year; 2024-Affirmed Apostle in the Lord‘s Church, and she was inducted in 2023 to the Board of Preachers, MLK International Morehouse College.