So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (Acts 12:5) What an exciting time to be involved in the movement to end mass incarceration and dismantle the School-to-Prison pipeline! With high-profile attention and legislative changes being made, we have an [...]Read More
Why we must reclaim King!
There’s no way to adequately express the impact Dr. King has had on my life and ministry. Growing up in Atlanta, I have been indelibly marked by King’s legacy. His theology, ethics, and ministry framed much of my discipleship and personified what Christian community development entailed. However, [...]Read More
Reflecting Together on Dr. King’s Legacy
“We negotiate, we demonstrate, we resist.” “We negotiate.” “We demonstrate.” “We resist.” Over and over I say those words to myself. Over and over I immerse myself in the wisdom and discernment of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the many that surrounded him during the height of the [...]Read More
Juvenile Justice System
Our nation needs to have a serious conversation about the state of our juvenile justice system. Like our broader criminal justice system, it is broken and riddled with racial and class biases. However, unlike our broader criminal justice system, very few people are talking about and illuminating the [...]Read More
Signs of hope for the future of urban public schools
Like many of you, I’ve labored for years in urban environs to encourage and empower children. My immersion as an individual CCD practitioner began with mentoring at an inner city neighborhood kids club. After marrying and while raising our daughter, my next season was in vibrant communities within [...]Read More
Mediation and Restitution Reconciliation Services, redeeming the label of ‘juvenile offender’
An attorney by profession, with years of experience working with youth, Bridgette Bowman became the director of Mediation and Restitution Reconciliation Services (MARRS) 6 years ago, anxious to be an advocate in the broken system of juvenile justice. This 23 year-old organization is perhaps the best [...]Read More
Memphis Teacher Residency, changing the narrative of equal education
Sub-standard education is pre-determined for many children based solely on their zip code. In response to the problem of equal education for kids in urban areas, what is now Memphis Teacher Residency started with a question: “What if we found an alternative way of recruiting and training teachers?” [...]Read More
Are We There Yet?
As we head into the summer months, the familiar question, “Are we there yet?” will be a frequent refrain. This question will be repeatedly asked on car trips with family, heading to camp with students and by anyone with a long, unfamiliar road ahead of them. Doing justice in our communities can [...]Read More