Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis

The Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis (BCCM) was formed to express the voice of the Black Church on issues of economic empowerment, civic engagement, and criminal justice reform. It is a member-driven collaborative where membership is open to the Black Clergy and their congregations who have a genuine interest in reducing poverty in Memphis, Tennessee. BCCM is committed to promoting policies that reduce and mitigate the consequences of the uneven and inequitable distribution of material resources and wealth. 

BCCM Priorities

Economic Empowerment

Advocate for, promote, and support initiatives that bring the Black community into the economic mainstream, build community wealth and facilitates self-determination. 

Civic Engagement

Equip Memphians with the knowledge and skills they need to contribute as active and informed members of a democratic society and promote the growth of healthy communities, global economic vitality, social justice, and the common good.

Criminal Justice Reform

End harsh policies and racial inequities at every point the criminal justice system intervenes in the lives of Memphians.

Background

Religion has always served as a means of release and relief for African Americans.  Enslaved African's established and relied heavily on their churches. The Black Church was usually a place of refuge both from the toil of everyday life and on the road to freedom. Many Black churches discreetly served as stops on the Underground Railroad. In African American history, "the church" established itself as the most significant source for Black religious enrichment and activities that have no religious or spiritual basis.

Organized politically and spiritually, Black churches were responsible for spreading the Gospel, but they were also relied upon to address the issues that affected their members. Black churches consistently advocated for and exposed their members to social, political, and economic opportunities. Black preachers have been religious and community leaders as they spoke about Christianity while speaking up for African Americans' rights.  However, the more involved Black Churches became in fighting racial intolerance and violence targeted against their members, the more the churches and their members were punished. 

In the twenty-first century, the Black Church remains vital to African American religious life; however, some black churches have not remained involved in their members' social, political, and economic life. The Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis led the Black Church's resurgence as an advocate for social justice.  

Leadership

• Rev. Dr. J. Lawrence Turner, Founder & President
• Rev. Darell Harrington, Secretary
• Bishop Linwood Dillard, Treasurer
• Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, Director
• Rev. Dr. Byron Moore, Director
• Bishop Ed Stephens, Jr., Director
• Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart, Director
• Rev. Dr. Karren Todd, Director

 Staff

Shirley A.  Bondon, Esq. , Executive Director