Reflections on a Broken System Education is one of the most discussed topics in the U.S. today. There is a growing awareness within the general public concerning the problematic nature of our country's public education system. Due to the failing nature of many public schools, a number of families, [...]Read More
The Banyan Community
The Banyan Community2647 Bloomington Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407 The Banyan Community is rooted in East Phillips, rising up to develop youth and strengthen families, reaching out to create community. The Banyan is a Christian Community Development organization that began as an idea, when [...]Read More
Northside Achievement Zone
Northside Achievement Zone1200 West Broadway Avenue, Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55411 The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) is a bold, place-based initiative with the ultimate goal of ending multigenerational poverty using education as the great equalizing lever. NAZ operates as one integrated [...]Read More
Union Gospel Mission Asian Ministries
Union Gospel Mission Asian Ministries899 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55130 Today, a new group of homeless people with no traditional homeland of their own is arriving by the planeload in the Twin Cities, resulting in the largest concentration of Hmong people outside of Asia. Union Gospel Mission [...]Read More
Party in the Dark
New Vision Brings Solar Light to Families Living in Darkness (Philippi, WV) In an effort to help bring lights to some of the 1.5 billion people on the planet who live without the benefits of electricity, leaving them challenged to find ways to study, stay safe or enjoy time together as a family, New [...]Read More
Why I’m Wearing a Hoodie
Standing in Solidarity with friends of Trayvon Martin I was recently invited to the White House for a ceremony to commemorate the life and work of Mexican-American farmworker and civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez. In 1965, Chavez and the United Farmworkers Union began a boycott of table grapes to [...]Read More
John M. Perkins, Justice, and Immigration
Personal Reflections on Injustice, Then and Now I spent most of last week in Jackson, Mississippi, on a retreat with some good friends from the Christian Community Development Association, hosted by the John M. Perkins Foundation. Dr. Perkins, who is now 81 years old, is one of my heroes. Born into [...]Read More
2015 CCDA National Conference
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your [...]Read More