Clergy and Lay Leadership Institute

The Passing the Mantle (PTM) Clergy and Lay Leadership Institute provided vision and practical training for the next generation of African American clergy and lay leaders. The program equipped pastors, clergy, faith-based nonprofit leaders, and church board members for better mission conceptualization, civic engagement models, strategic planning, and partnership building with the public and private sector. The program created a learning environment with leading practitioners, politicians, and professors who engage in areas related to civic engagement and community development. PTM was made possible by grant support from The James Irvine Foundation.

The following report by Nick Street summarizes the impact of the PTM program. Read “Passing the Mantle: The Next Generation of African American Leaders.”

2010 Alumni

Charles Allen-Anderson, Founder, President and CEO
ReCid Solutions, LLC

Jamila Chavis
Los Angeles, CA

Rochelle Collins, Owner and Founder
Cannon House
Los Angeles, CA

Jacqueline Driscoll, Board Member
DG4Life
Teacher and Facilitator
W.I.F.E. Women of Integrity, Faith and Empowerment

Marcus Farrow, Co-founder and CEO
The Manformation Project
Los Angeles, CA

Harold Hines, Sr., Community Outreach Coordinator
Victory Christian Center
Victorville, California

Lydia Hollie, Director of Public Affairs
Greater Open Door COGIC
North Long Beach, CA

Chester L. Jackson, Sr., CEO and Pastor
BOLD Discipleship Ministries, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Marian Kirk Jackson, Economic Development Administrator
Vermont Village Community Development Corporation
Los Angeles, CA

Charles Johnson II, Pastor-Elect
Straightway Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Moses McCutcheon, Jr., Executive Director/Consultant
Bethel LA Community Development Corporation
President
McCutcheon Research
Founder
School-To-Success Foundation

Darrell Glover, Executive Director
Prevention Alternatives for Neighborhood Empowerment incorporated (PANE Inc.)

Devin Nimmers, Executive Director and Founder
Nimmers Family Youth Outreach, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA

Brian Sheldon Riley, Operations Assistant
Children’s Ministry at Newsong Los Angeles Covenant Church
Los Angeles, CA

La Donna Sebastian

Cassie Thomas, Senior Pastor
Restored Destiny International Ministries, Inc.
Founder and CEO
The Prayer Clinic Worldwide Ministries, Inc.

Cornell Ward

Etta Weathersby
New Greater Circle Mission

Johnny Jemell Youngblood, Senior Pastor
Zion Cathedral

2009 Fellows

Dr. Tony Ashley, Associate Pastor
New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church
Inglewood, CA

Vera Alice Bagneris, Ministerial Staff Member
New Philadelphia African Methodist Episcopal
Rancho Dominguez, CA

Candace Cole-Kelly, Founder and Senior Pastor
Acts Bible Church
Carson, CA

Wendell J. Davis, Sr., CEO
Trinity In His House Foundation
Compton, CA

Veronica Dawson, Church Fellowship Team Leader
New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rosalynd Divinity, Senior Executive Pastoral Assistant
Covenant Worship Center
Inglewood, CA

Adam Edgerly, Lead Pastor
Newsong Covenant Church
Los Angeles, CA

Yvonne M. Gibson-Johnson, Director of Prayer and Chief Minister of Visitation
West Angeles Church of God in Christ
Los Angeles, CA

Juliet A. Gipson, Real Estate Broker

Robin Hamilton-Allen, Itinerate Deacon
African Methodist Episcopal Church

Marc Henderson, Church Administrator
H.O.P.E.’s House Christian Ministries
San Fernando Valley, CA

Marcus Jackson, Executive Pastor
Apostolic Faith Home Assembly Church
Los Angeles, CA

Stephen “Cue” Jean-Marie, Cause Pastor
Newsong Covenant Church
Los Angeles, CA

Keith Johnson
Southern California Falcons
Los Angeles, CA

Charles Jones, Senior Pastor
St. Reed Missionary Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Patricia Jones, Trustee Board President
New Greater Circle Mission Church
Los Angeles, CA

Joyce Reece Kitchen, Pastor
Emmanuel-H.M. Turner African Methodist Episcopal Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rochelle Lewis, Senior Pastor
The City of Praise Community Church
Los Angeles, CA

Baron Jay Littleton, Jr.

Dorothy R. Mallery, Director of Purchasing
UCLA Department of Engineering
Los Angeles, CA

Edwin A. Mendoza, Board Member
Holistic Offerings and Opportunities for People
Los Angeles, CA

Donnell O. Miles, Pastor
Price Chapel AME Church
Los Angeles, CA

Albert William Miller, Licensed Minister
United Methodist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Gloria Shell Mitchell, Ph.D.

Curtis Monroe, Jr., Pastor
Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Jim Ortiz, Senior Pastor
My Friend’s House
Whittier, CA

Tynisha Randolph

Ronald Robinson, President and Chief Administrative Officer
Imani Economic and Community Development Corporation
Pomona, CA

Tyron Delbert Robinson, Founding Pastor
Kingdom Builders Christian Fellowship
Los Angeles, CA

Beth Gartrell Ross, Founder and CEO
Biddy Mason Foundation
Los Angeles, CA

Joseph Simpson, Jr.

Taylor Walton, Minister of Special Projects
Christ Our Redeemer, AME Church
Irvine, CA

Carolyn Wilkins, Assistant Minister and Administrative Director
Immanuel Center for Conscious Living
Long Beach, CA

2008 Alumni

Rev. Rosalynn Brookins, Asst. Student Minister
First African Methodist Episcopal Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Sonja Dawson, Founder, CEO
Sisters in Ministry
Los Angeles, CA

Elder Keith Goodman, Sr. Pastor
North Philadelphia SDA Church
Philadelphia, PA

Pastor Tonya Harris, Sr. Pastor
Lynwood United Methodist Church
Lynwood, CA

Minister Clovis Honore, Lead Organizer
Regional Congregations and Neighborhood Organizations
San Diego, CA

Ms. Ollie Jackson
Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor Crissina Johnson, Program Manager
National Alliance of Parents for the Advancement of All Students (NATIONALPALS)
Playa Vista, CA

Ms. Keesha Johnson, Dir. Of Administration and Special Projects
RCNO Training Center
Los Angeles, CA

Mrs. Jacqueline Justice, Founder and President
Justice Teen Parenting Center, Inc.,
Moreno Valley, CA

Dr. Wesley Knight, Sr. Pastor
Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church
Riverside, CA

Rev. Darryl K. LaBat, Pastor
Greater Metropolitan Church
Los Angeles, CA

Mrs. Bernestine Lee, Secretary
Lee’s Learning Center, Inc.
Moreno Valley, CA

Rev. Jason T. Lewis, Youth Pastor
Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Chaplain/Pastor Dwight D. Lewis Sr. , President, Sr. Pastor
Christ Commissioned Int. Church
Compton, CA

Rev. Clarence Luckey, Pastor
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Barstow
Barstow, CA

Rev. Vanessa M. Mackenzie, Rector, Sr. Pastor
Episcopal Church of the Advent
Los Angeles, CA

Ms. Deborah Manns, Founder and CEO
Virtuous Woman Ministries
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Reginald C. Payne, Sr. Pastor
Full Gospel Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Ed Robinson, Associate Pastor

Friendly Temple MBC
Los Angeles, CA

Minister John Stevens, Director of Prison Ministry
Judson Baptist Church Prison Ministry
Carson, CA

Minister Helena M. Titus, Voluntary Youth Pastor, Sr. Pastoral Asst.
Powergirl Ministries
Carson, CA

Rev. Cheryl K. Tucker, Pastor
Christ United A.M.E. Church
San Diego, CA

Ms. Dina L. Walker, Program Director
Bethel Community Church
Fontana, CA

Mrs. Debra Patrice Wells, Director of Women & Outreach
Perfecting Ministries/Mountain View Community Church
Temecula, CA

Pastor John W. Wells Jr., Sr. Pastor, CEO
Perfecting Ministries/Mountain View Community Church
Temecula, CA

Ms. Cheryl I. Young, Co-leader, Family Ministries
South Los Angeles Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Mrs. Aneisa Young Bolton, Project Consultant/ Lay Member
H’art Works/Immanuel Community Church
Long Beach, CA

2007 Fellows

Rev. Barbara Barker, Pastor and Coordinator
CTW Faith-based Re-entry Initiative
Corona, CA

Ms. Alishia Brown
Refuge Christian Church
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor Terry Brown, Sr. , Senior Pastor
Liberty Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Leslie Burke, Pastoral Staff, and Pulpit Ordained Reverend
Unity Fellowship of Christ Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. John Cager, III, Executive Director
Bethel Community Outreach Corp.
Fontana, CA

Rev. Larry Campbell, Pastor
St. Paul AME Church
San Bernardino, CA

Elder Willie Cockroft
Zion House of Praise Ministries
Los Angeles, CA

Ms. Doris Cope, Licentiate
Ward AME Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Ruby Cottle, Senior Pastor and Founder
God’s Faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Karen Crozier, Associate Minister
New Hope MBC
San Bernardino, CA

Ms. Ebony Cunningham, Voice/Music Theory Instructor
MGray Music Academy
North Hollywood, CA

Rev. Gayle Davis-Culp, Pastor
Holy Trinity AME Church
Long Beach, CA

Min. Charles Dorsey, Youth Minister
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church
Irvine, CA

Mr. Trevon Evans, Lay Leader/ Bible study instructor
Faithful Central Bible Church
Inglewood, CA

Rev. Jane Galloway, Pastor and Executive Director of H’Artworks
Immanuel: A Center for Conscious Living
Long Beach, CA

Bishop Duane Ganther, Senior Pastor
Harvest Christian Center
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Gerald Green, Assistant Pastor
Unity Fellowship of Christ Church
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor Jawane Hilton
City On the Hill Church
Long Beach, CA

Rev. Frank Jackson, Chairman, Council of President
New Mt. Pleasant MBC
Inglewood, CA

Rev. Tracey Johnson, Pastor
Corona Community AME Church
Corona, CA

Rev. Bryan Jones, Assistant Pastor
New Mt. Pleasant MBC
Inglewood, CA

Pastor Charles Knight, Senior Pastor
Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church
Riverside, CA

Rev. Jonathan Maxey, Pastor
Grace of Temecula Valley
Temecula, CA

Pastor Michael McBride, Senior Pastor
The Way Christian Center
Berkeley, CA

Ms. Eudora Mitchell, Executive Director
Quinn Community Outreach Corp.
Moreno Valley, CA

Ms. Sharon Olson, Co-Moderator, Member of Board of Directors
Immanuel- Center for Conscious Living
Long Beach, CA

Pastor Dorothy Patrick, Minister
St. Paul AME Church
Santa Barbara, CA

Mr. Sebastian Ridley-Thomas< Summer Intern
1st New Christian Fellowship MBC
Los Angeles, CA

Mr. Robert Rubin, Executive Director
Vermont Village CDC
Los Angeles, CA

Ms. Sabrina Saunders, Community Organizer
San Francisco Christian Center
San Francisco, CA

Rev. Russell Thornill
Unity Fellowship of Christ Church
Los Angeles, CA

Ms. Rhonda Thornton, Advocate for community and faith-based economic and social sustainability
The Levitical Network
Culver City, CA

Ms. Dorothy Wardlaw, Deacon
Mt. Hebron Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor Christilene Whalen, Senior Pastor
Walker Chapel AME Church
Oceanside, CA

Mrs. Melinda Williams, President
The Williams and Wellington Foundation
Corona, CA

Rev. Michael Wilsonm, Senior Pastor and CEO
Grace Community Bible Church
Pasadena, CA

Rev. Robert Wright, Itinerant Deacon
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church
Irvine, CA

2006 Fellows

Ms. Camille Banks, Receptionist/Communications Facilitator
Economics Research Associates (California Corporation)
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor E. Winford Bell, Pastor
New Heights, Inc (MMBA)
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Everett Bell, Jr., Associate Minister
Mt. Olive 2nd Missionary Baptist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Dr. Donald Blake, President and CEO
Prayer Tower Community Development Corp.
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor Benjamin F. Briggs,II, Pastor and Teacher
Greater Light Community Church
Perris, CA

Minister Oliver Buie

Rev. Samuel J. Casey, Assistant Pastor/Vice-President
Imani Temple Christian Fellowship/ Imani Economic Community and Development Corporation (IECDC)
www.imanitemple.net
Pomona, CA

Rev. Louis Chase, Pastor
Hamilton United Methodist Church
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor Geremy Dixon, Associate Pastor/ Executive Director of First Community Development Corp.
First Church of God/Center of Hope
Inglewood, CA

Mr. Bernard Dory, II, Program Coordinator/Consultant
Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches
Los Angeles, CA

Mrs. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, President
Ward Economic Development Corporation
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor Michael Eagle, Sr., Senior Pastor
Saint Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church
Los Angeles, CA

Ms. Kenya Francis, Minister in training
Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Joe Gates, Sr.

Bishop Kenneth L. Green, Sr., Senior Pastor
Messiah Full Gospel Bible Fellowship
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Joseph Hamilton, Senior Pastor
One in Christ Bible Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Cavalain Hawkins

Pastor L. Fisher Hines, Senior Minister/Pastor, Chief Administrator, Chair
Walker Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor Delman Howard
Primm Tabernacle A.M.E. Church
Pomona, CA

Rev. Anthony L. Hughes, Senior Pastor

St. Paul A.M.E. Church
San Bernardino, CA

Rev. Eric L. Jackson, Senior Pastor
Power of Love Christian Fellowship of Antelope Valley
Lancaster, CA

Pastor William “Bill” Johnson, Founder/Director
Manna Ministries
Santa Maria, CA

Rev. Maurice Johnson, Pastor
Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Kwesi Kamau, Pastor/C.E.O.
Amos Memorial CME Church
Los Angeles, CA

Pastor Vickie Michelle Lee, Founder-Director-C.E.O./Senior Pastor, Apostle
Saints of Value Ministries
Norwalk, CA

Rev. Mark S. Luckie, Sr., Pastor
The Rhema Church, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Vincente Miles, Associate Minister
Victory Institutional Baptist Church
Hawthorne, CA

Rev. Keith Peete, Assistant to the Pastor
First New Christian Fellowship Church
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Roy S. Petitt, Founder/Pastor/C.E.O.
Miracle Center Apostolic Community Church
www.miraclecenterweb.org and www.mcapostolic.org
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Clayton D. Russell, Pastor
The Church of Divine Guidance
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Najuma Smith, Pastor
St. James AME Church
www.stjamesamela.com
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Andrew Ronell Stanch, Pastor
Word Empowerment Ministries
Los Angeles, CA

Mr. Rodney Walker, President
Hope Community Development
Pasadena, CA

Rev. Alexander L. Warthen, Associate Pastor/ Teacher
First New Christian Fellowship MBC
Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Richard Washington,Sr

Rev. Carl Wiggins, II, Pastor, Teacher, Chairman of the Board
Eagles Wings Christian Church
Perris, CA