CRCC began in the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots in 1992, when a diverse array of faith-based groups ventured into the public square to help quell violence, engage civic institutions and address the underlying social problems that had contributed to the unrest. Investigating how religious (and irreligious) groups interact with their communities and building the capacity of these groups remain central to CRCC’s mission, both in Southern California and the rest of the world.
Civic engagement includes the myriad ways people seek to exert influence on society, from voting and protesting, to social services, disaster response and community organizing. See our featured topic pages for more.
Topics
Featured TopicProtests and UprisingsTopics: Voting and Elections
CommentaryTrue Colors: Lessons from a Post-Authoritarian StateThis article originally appeared on The German Marshall Fund of the United States website, from Brie Loskota’s experience with The Marshall Memorial Fellowship (MMF). I have always pictured Central and Eastern Europe in black …Topics: Europe, Government and Religion, International Affairs and Policy, Political Attitudes and Values
BookIf I Give My Soul: Faith Behind Bars in Rio de JaneiroIf I Give My Soul: Faith Behind Bars in Rio de Janeiro By Andrew Johnson (Oxford University Press: 2017) The writing of this book was supported by the Pentecostal Charismatic Research Initiative. …Topics: Catholics and Catholicism, Christians and Christianity, Criminal Justice, Government and Religion, International Affairs and Policy, Place and Religion, Political Attitudes and Values, Religious Beliefs and Rituals
CommentaryHow to Handle Church Rip-Off Artists – Church Finance SeriesThis article originally appeared in The Christian Recorder. In bad economic times, churches are the target of professional con artists committed to ripping the church off. Some rip off artists hit 50 …Topics: Black Church, Christians and Christianity, CMCCE, Economic Inequality, Faith-Based Organizations, Religious Leadership, Social Services
CRCC in the NewsMedia Coverage of L.A. Civil Unrest AnniversaryHaving grown out of the 1992 Los Angeles civil Unrest, the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture and Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement commemorated the 25th anniversary with multiple opportunities …Topics: Black Church, CMCCE, Disaster Response, Faith-Based Organizations, Government and Religion, Protests and Uprisings, Race and Culture, Religious Leadership, Violence
CommentaryA Declaration of InterdependenceA nation of nations, our actions in these troubled times must be guided by a notion of notions—let us call it “A Declaration of Interdependence.” We were founded to be a beacon …Topics: CMCCE, Protests and Uprisings, Religious Leadership, Southern California, Violence- VideoMay 3, 1992: Rev. Cecil Murray Preaches as the Fires of the L.A. Riots Burn
- CommentaryThe Kingdom of God and American ExceptionalismDoes America have a special God-given role in the world? In meetings with both evangelical and religiously unaffiliated young adults in Los Angeles, I have seen a shift in the understanding of …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Political Attitudes and Values, Religious Beliefs and Rituals, Voting and Elections
MapLaundry Love California: A Story MapTopics: Creativity and Innovation, Economic Inequality, maps, Social Services
CommentaryHow a Christian Movement Is Growing Rapidly in the Midst of Religious DeclineThis article was originally published on The Conversation. In August of 2011, more than 30,000 people cheered wildly as the then U.S. presidential candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry – now secretary …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Creativity and Innovation, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism, Political Attitudes and Values, Religious Leadership
CRCC in the NewsBYU Radio: Richard Flory on Religious “Nones”An increasing number of Americans do not affiliate with any particular religion. BYU Radio’s Matt Townsend Show recently interviewed CRCC senior director of research and evaluation Richard Flory, about the increase of religious “nones” in …Topics: Creativity and Innovation, Political Attitudes and Values, Population Trends, Religious "Nones", Religious Affiliation
CRCC in the NewsKPCC’s Take Two: Loskota on America’s Moral Compass after Yiannopoulos’ fallMilo Yiannopoulos recently lost his invitation to present at a Conservative Political Action Conference, a book deal, and his writer position at Breitbart News after a remark that seemed to rationalize pedophilia. …Topics: Political Attitudes and Values
“Social networks of human and institutional relationships matter to a society; when they are strong, everything else in the community is strengthened.”
—Craig McGarvey
“Civic Participation and the Promise of Democracy”
CRCC Experts
To schedule an interview with one of our experts, please contact CRCC:
crcc@usc.edu or 213-743-1611
Sumaya AbubakerProject ManagerSumaya Abubaker manages leadership and civic engagement programming for minority faith communities.
Steven Barrie-AnthonyContributing FellowSteven Barrie-Anthony is a scholar and writer who examines spiritual and religious innovation and change and its impacts on public life, such as on styles of civic and political action.
Tobin BelzerContributing FellowTobin Belzer is an applied sociologist who develops research and program evaluations to support the work of non-profit organizations and philanthropists.
Brad ChristersonContributing FellowBrad Christenson is a sociologist who has written extensively in the areas of religion, race, ethnicity, and globalization.
Samuel ChuContributing FellowSamuel Chu is a seasoned community organizer and strategist who works at the intersection of faith and public policy.
Hebah FarragAssistant Director of ResearchHebah Farrag manages the center’s research and evaluation projects while engaging in research focused on religion, social change and new spiritualties.
Richard FlorySenior Director of Research and EvaluationRichard Flory is a sociologist whose work focuses on religion and urban life, religious and cultural change, and youth and young adults.
Peter B. GudaitisContributing FellowPeter B. Gudaitis is an expert of faith communities and disaster readiness, response and recovery.
Nalika GajaweeraResearch AssociateNalika Gajaweera is a cultural anthropologist specialized in Buddhism, transnationalism and ethics, with an area expertise in South Asia.
Rev. Frank Jackson, Jr.Contributing FellowRev. Frank Jackson, Jr. couples his experience in business and investment with his passion for community development.
Andrew JohnsonResearch AssociateAndrew Johnson is a sociologist who studies religion on the margins of society, with specific interests in religious practice inside of prison, Latin American Pentecostalism and religionin the city.
Brie LoskotaExecutive DirectorBrie Loskota researches how religions change and make change in the world, and works to build the capacity of religious communities around the globe.
Juan MartínezContributing FellowJuan Martinez studies the history of Latino Protestantism, Latino Protestant identity and transnational mission among U.S. Latinos.
Tarra McNallyAssistant Director of EvaluationTarra McNally is an anthropologist specializing in evaluation and global health.
Donald E. MillerDirector of Strategic InitiativesDonald Miller focuses on global religious trends, genocides of the 20th century, and the role of religious NGOs in addressing issues of moral concern.