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
A Letter from our CEO & President
Dear CCDA Familia, Feliz Año Nuevo! I can't remember when I was more excited to begin a new year. After being away the first three months of 2015, I am feeling rested, energized and excited to lead CCDA into a new year of serving you, our members, as you labor to love those on the margins for 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
Advance Memphis, transforming a neighborhood through economic revitalization
In 1999, the 38126 zip code of the Clearborne/Foote neighborhood of South Memphis was named the 3rd poorest urban zip code in the United States. That same year, Steve Nash started Advance Memphis, seeking to bring economic revitalization to the community through job opportunities and resources in [...]Read More
The St. Andrew Enterprise, a 199-year-old tradition and a grassroots movement
St. Andrew AME Church is part of the 199-year-old African Methodist Episcopal (AME) tradition, a church tradition historically involved in civil rights. This year marks the 149th anniversary of this Tennessee flagship church. When Dr. Kenneth and Marilynn Robinson were appointed pastors of the [...]Read More