Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) is an interfaith organization dedicated to congregation-based community organizing in the St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan region. MCU puts faith into action by developing leaders who move their congregations, organizations, and communities to change public policy for the common good. Recent work areas have included environmental justice, affordable housing, breaking the school-to-prison pipeline, Medicaid expansion, and raising the minimum wage in… Show more Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) is an interfaith organization dedicated to congregation-based community organizing in the St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan region. MCU puts faith into action by developing leaders who move their congregations, organizations, and communities to change public policy for the common good. Recent work areas have included environmental justice, affordable housing, breaking the school-to-prison pipeline, Medicaid expansion, and raising the minimum wage in Missouri.As Executive Director, I serve first and foremost as lead organizer, building power through organizing people and money.Organizing People: The ED’s role in organizing people power includes managing internal people, working with the Board of Directors, and managing major collaborations & partnerships, all with an eye toward expanding the structures & space for organizing success in Missouri. I will also delegate and empower others—by recruiting, training, and leading MCU organizers. In collaboration with other groups, I organize local & regional trainings to identify and develop new leaders & trainers. With support, I oversee the administration of staff, including recruitment, supervision, development, payroll, and benefits.I am committed to building a diverse leadership base within the organization I provide navigation with interpersonal conflict, tackling challenging conversations, centering an equity lens, and practicing cultural humility.Organizing Money: The ED is responsible for growing and managing the organizational budget, developing fundraising strategies, and cultivating new funding sources. Beyond personal fundraising skills, the next ED will consistently establish, encourage, and support a culture of agitation across the organization by, for example, training staff and leaders to become organizers of money to raise their own salary and one more salary. Show less

I speak to all age groups and a variety of audiences from religious youth groups to juvenile detention centers. I also assist students and young adults in finding and understanding their calling in life, business, society, etc. I inspire others to seek out the source of their inner strength.