The Faith Leaders Institute of the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement recently hosted its second annual Faith Leaders Summit at the USC Davidson Center. More than 300 people attended the event, including community activists, non-profit leaders and clergy.
Several prominent local government officials participated: Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Councilman Bernard Parks, Councilman Herb Wesson, School Board member Dr. George McKenna, Commissioner Mike Davis, Commissioner Peggy Hill and Jan Perry, General Manager of the Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department.
Other panelists included Dr. Juan Carlos Mendez, Rev. Jessie Miranda, Rev. Frank Jackson, Rev. Ed Smith, Rev. Andy Bale, Dr. Rabina Smith and Stephen Clark. A team of Affordable Care Act experts–Connie Gillette, Steve Ellis and Courtney Porter–shared their insights about access to health care.
CMCCE executive director Rev. Mark Whitlock hosted a grant writing workshop along with special guest Joseph Otting of One West Bank. The summit ended with the graduation of 39 Faith Leadership Institute fellows. Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer of Faithful Central Bible Church delivered the commencement address.
The Faith Leaders Institute equips faith leaders to transform communities. The Institute is sponsored by the California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation with a mission to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians.
CMCCE has recruited and trained over 30 leaders through the Faith Leaders Institute. Training includes seminars in leadership, community and organizational assessment, developing a vision for changing communities, community development, civic engagement, governance, stemming youth violence, fundraising and financial literacy. The program trains fellows working in Boyle Heights, Long Beach, Santa Ana and South Los Angeles.
