Archive
How Congregations Can Care for Their Financial Health During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted not only our physical health, but also our financial health. Stay-at-home orders, which have reduced the number of people infected by the illness, have affected organizations of …
Religion’s Role in Social Change – Council on Foreign Relations
How can the religious community in America influence social change? Najuma Smith-Pollard, program manager of the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, joined Ruth Messinger, former president and current global ambassador …
Can America Change?
Amid protests against police brutality, a pandemic and a strained economy, Najuma Smith-Pollard, program manager for the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, joined several religious leaders to reflect on a …
Justice We Shall Pursue: Building the Beloved Community
CRCC’s Najuma-Smith Pollard joined two other faith leaders, Reverend Mark Whitlock (Reid Temple A.M.E. Church) and Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson (Vice President of American Jewish University in Los Angeles), to discuss the …
Financial Assistance During COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant economic impact on many individuals and families. The USC Cecil Murray Center is offering “Financial Empowerment Through A Crisis” webinars through faith communities throughout Los …
Dornsife Dialogues: The Truth of Being Black in America
What are the ways that the health and lives of some Americans are in jeopardy simply because they’re black? And what can we do to help change that? As part of Dornsife …
Voice of America: Najuma Smith-Pollard on Police, Racism and Change
Voice of America interviewed several black pastors, including USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement program manager Najuma Smith-Pollard, on their experiences of racism and thoughts on change in the wake of …
The Catholic Spirit: Najuma Smith-Pollard on Floyd’s Death and Protests
Catholic News Service (published in Crux, The Catholic Spirit, and News Break) spotlights Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs webinar, co-sponsored with CRCC. In the webinar, faith leaders, …
Virtual Town Hall: Najuma Smith-Pollard, Congressman Adam Schiff, and Faith Leaders on the “Quadruple-threat Crises”
Los Angeles-area faith leaders joined Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) for a Zoom town hall. Moderated by Najuma Smith-Pollard, program manager of the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, the interfaith leaders …
A Prayer for Mothers at George Floyd Memorial
During George Floyd’s memorial, Najuma Smith-Pollard, program manager of the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, led a prayer for mothers. The following is a transcript of the prayer: God in …
Religious Responsibilities in Confronting Police Brutality
June 10, 2020 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT Location: Online Zoom Webinar Throughout the United States and in cities across the world thousands have joined protests over the murder of George …
Say Their Names: Honoring Black Lives – USC Vigil
In the spirit of solidarity and support, USC hosted an online university vigil honoring the lives of those who have died as the result of systemic anti-Black racism and police brutality in …
KCET on Rev. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray: The Reverend Who Led the Rebuilding of South L.A. After the 1992 Riots
In the wake of George Floyd’s death, the United States has been gripped by fury over the nation’s persistent racism and police brutality. The unrest is reminiscent of the 1992 Los Angeles …
NBCLA’s Virtual Town Hall: Najuma Smith-Pollard on Fighting for Real Reform and Solutions Against Racism
Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard, program manager for the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, participated as a panelist for NBCLA’s Virtual Town Hall, “The Time is Now: Rooting Out Racism.” The conversation …
Critical Conversations on Activism, Online and Off
With so many Americans across the country seeking to get their voices heard both in the streets and on social media this week, CRCC is hosting a conversation about what it means …
Stand in Power, Speak in Power, Live in Power: Smith-Pollard on the Death of George Floyd
Najuma Smith-Pollard shared the following remarks at a press conference with the mayor of Los Angeles about the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and the protests and civil unrest in …
Faith & Politics: Leadership in the Time of COVID-19
The USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement’s hosts a conversation with two of its alumni about how they are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring: Dr. Michael Fisher, Greater Zion Church …
COVID-19 Resources for Faith Communities with Joshua Dubois
Joshua DuBois of Values Partnerships, former faith adviser of Barack Obama, shares what faith leaders need to know about accessing government resources to help their organizations with the economic impact of the …
Church in the Wake of COVID-19: Helpful Info & Tips for Congregations
In the wake of COVID-19, the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement has compiled an infographic with helpful facts and tips for congregations with information from the Center for Disease Control …
Reimagining Impact: An Evaluation of the Avanath/CORCDC Partnership
This study examines the social impact of community service organizations that are affiliated with church groups in Southern California. In our work with many such faith-based groups, we have found that, while …