“I help transformational leaders turn their purpose and passion into ventures that “change the world — without begging for change.”
My childhood had its share of pain but I am a survivor. My early pain helped me find my purpose in God. I remember talking to the Divine as I stood in my crib in footsie pajamas. As a pre-schooler I knew the adults around me would not understand and it was best to keep it to myself. My unorthodox faith kept me through childhood, young adult wanderings and my journey as a minister in the church. When I accepted my call to ministry, I knew where God had brought me from and I wanted to share that good news with other people. When I jumped into full time ministry with a commitment to serve the poor I had no idea the expectation would be that I’d shake down the poor people I served for my survival.
“when I made my commitment to serve the poor, I had no idea the expectation was that I’d shake down the under-resourced for my personal survival. ”
This didn’t agree with my constitution so I asked God to show me another way. Soon, my soulprenuer model of ministry came to life where my young adult members coming out of the street life, prison and mental health issues began working together developing social enterprises to uplift each of them out of the underground economy and pay the church bills
Years later, I applied the lessons of my pastoral ministry to recreating my non-profit organization which was also operating from a mindset of begging and lack. By faith — I converted our organization from its grant-to-grant, donation to donation existence to a self-sustaining model of programing and community building through social enterprise.
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Over the last 20+ years, I’ve also been mentoring and developing other leaders with a heart for this kind of ministry. My model has a proven track record of equipping motivated, passionate change-makers to launch ventures in the world that do good as they also provide for themselves.
If this idea excites you — it would be my honor to help you move forward with your good work through what I call soulpreneurship.
“I help transformational believers turn their purpose and passion into ventures that “change the world — without begging for change.””
Here are just a few of my accomplishments:
Raised over $10 million dollars through social enterprise revenue, grants and generous donations uplifting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people through an empowering and transformational ministry.
Spearheaded the acquisition of a 30,000 square foot venue in Hartford, Connecticut valued at $1.5 million dollars with no money down — through great relationships, grants, bonds and sweat equity.
Created a sacred entrepreneurial venue called The 224 EcoSpace with galleries, performance and work spaces with a replacement value of $3.5 million dollars using a knowledge of color psychology and design aesthetic that infuses spirituality.
Successfully trained and coached thousands of ministers, non-profit leaders and social entrepreneurs to launch sustainable ventures serving tens of thousands of people in need.
Developed a $1million dollar training model funded by the state of Connecticut and the federal government. As a political appointee served as an expert in program development and cultural competence in the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and also served as Connecticut’s leader in faith-based initiatives during the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barak Obama. Presented a White Paper on my soulpreneur ministry model at The White House.
Host a Sunday Morning public affairs interview broadcast on faith and community change makers called “Rich Answers,” on WRCH FM 100.5 reaching more than 75,000 people in Southern New England each week.
Earned two master’s degrees and a Doctorate in Ministry at Yale University and Hartford Seminary. Upon graduation served as an adjunct professor on spiritual formation and leadership in both institutions. Serve as Dean of Studies for new ministers in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Reverend John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement said,
“I look on all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that , in whatever part of it am, I judge it meet, right and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.”
With is in mind, God has opened doors for my ministry to link arms and hearts with leaders and change makers around the globe. I have journeyed to South Africa, Israel, Palestine, India and the Caribbean extensively as a human rights ambassador with a mission to bridge faith and cultural understanding.
With my heart opened toward the sacrifice and struggles of those serving in ministry in India, I funded and led a Soulpreneur Leadership Intensive — for 50 Christian ministers there. In addition, through extensive research and emersion at the Amritapuri ashram of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi also known as “Amma the Hugging Saint,” I have gained knowledge on how soulprenuership works in places around the globe.
“I have been honored to work with faith leaders in India. In the middle are clergy who gathered with me in Vishakhapatnam for a leadership intensive. At the far right I am pictured with Mata Amritanandamayi Devi also known as “Amma the Hugging Saint,”in her ashram Amritapuri.”
The women of Messiah Baptist Church experienced Sound Healing and Storytelling along with deeper bonds.
Journeyed to South Africa, Israel and India extensively as a human rights ambassador with a mission to bridge faith and cultural understanding. Funded, created and led a Soulpreneur Leadership Intensive — for 50 Christian ministers in India.
Serve as a nationally recognized authority on compassion fatigue in ministers and human service professionals. Provide retreats, keynotes, coaching and consulting for individuals and organizations. Utilize the personal knowledge gained as a survivor of childhood trauma and cross cultural fatigue.
“You must be the change you want to see in the world ”
In addition to the above accomplishments, I transformed my own life by losing 80 pounds through a primarily plant-based diet and dedicated practice of mindfulness, spiritual direction and body work. I also became a certified yoga instructor after the age of 50 with a specialization in making its benefits accessible to all body types, ages and underserved communities. To learn more about my health and wellness practice check visit SoYoX.org and see how I can help you awaken your self-care.
