The document summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center (MSPJC) in 2013. Key points include:
- MSPJC trained over 500 people in grassroots organizing and prevented cuts to homeless services and transportation funding totaling over $1.5 million.
- They secured grants, partnered with other organizations on issues like police relations and shelter abuse, and supported publications like a street newspaper.
- MSPJC also coordinated with over 20 groups to host a conference on race and equality attended by over 1,500 people.
1. Trained 524 in grassroots organizing + Pre-
vented $250,000 in homeless service cuts +
Secured a $10,000 grant to launch Street-
wise INK + Participated in Greenprint +
Partnered in 8 community police relations
forums for 335 residents + Stopped
“Play to Stay”
abuse in a local
shelter + Cele-
brated 10 years
of the Gandhi-
King Confer-
ence + Expand-
ed to provide
Community Or-
ganizer Training in
Spanish + Prevent-
ed $1.2 million in
cuts to MATA funding + Coordinated
People’s Day on the Hill + Collaborated
to host city-wide People’s Conference
on Race and Equality + Supported publi-
cation of Memphis’ first street newspa-
per + H.O.P.E. Women’s Caucus Mem-
bers trained in
Self Defense
2013 Board
Emily Fulmer — Chair
GrowMemphis
Dana Wilson — Secretary
BRIDGES
Federico Gomez— Treasurer
La no Cultural Center of Memphis
Nabil Bayakly
Muslims in Memphis
Janis Benson
A orney
Marquita Bradshaw
Defense Depot of Memphis, TN Concerned Ci zens
Commi ee
Cris na Condori
Comunidades Unidas con Una Voz
Paul Crum
Pax Chris Memphis
Carolyn Head
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Onie G. Johns
Caritas Village
Kyle Kordsmeier
Workers Interfaith Network
Cody Mathis
Student Organizer
Tiffany Futch
Women’s Ac on Coali on
Staff
Allison Glass—Training Director
Brad Watkins—Organizing Director
Brooke Sarden—Opera ons Director
Giovanna Lopez—Training Coordinator
Jacob Flowers—Execu ve Director
Melissa Miller-Monie—Organizing Coordinator
Paul Garner—Organizing Coordinator
The inherent power of the individual: We know the people we
work with hold the power to ini ate and advance posi ve
change in their communi es, and it’s these people who must be
the leaders in campaigns to improve their lives.
Communi es of libera on: We work to create a world without
oppression. We recognize that the roots of oppression run deep
systemically and within ourselves. We implement strategies of
an -oppression within every facet of our organizing and within
our organiza on itself.
Achieving nonviolent solu ons using nonviolent strategy: The
MSPJC was founded on the nonviolent principles of Mohandas
Gandhi and Mar n Luther King, Jr. We know that the most pow-‐
erful change can only be brought about using nonviolent
means, and we are dedicated to prac cing and teaching nonvio-‐
lent ac on.
Our Values
Grassroots Organizing Con nued
Greenprint: MSPJC is the staff organiza on for the Social Equity Working Group
of the Mid-South Regional Greenprint Consor um. The chair of the Social Equity
Working Group is Mia Madison of City of Memphis Division of Housing and Commu-‐
nity Development.
Coordinated monthly mee ngs and ac vi es of the group, which is responsible
for ensuring that Greenprint outreach and engagement ac vi es reach minori-‐
es, disabled persons, elderly persons, persons with Limited English Proficien-‐
cy, and other under-represented popula ons.
Provides perspec ve on environmental jus ce and “Not in My Back-‐
yard” (NIMBY) issues.
Strategizes to increase par cipa on in the regional planning process, par cu-‐
larly with respect to engagement of low-income communi es, minority popula-‐
ons, and other communi es typically underrepresented in regional planning.
Memphis United: MSPJC is a 501(c)(3) sponsor and a founding member
Worked in coali on with over 20 local community and grassroots organiza ons to
host the “People’s Conference on Race and Equality: a part of the Heart of Mem-‐
phis”, in response to a KKK rally downtown that same day. A racted more than
1,500 par cipants in panel discussions, workshops and other awareness-building
ac vi es. Designed workshops and provided material and staff support.
Co-hosted a forum on Interna onal Workers Day about local issues related to
worker jus ce.
The Bridge: MSPJC is the 501(c)(3) sponsor for The Bridge, Memphis’ first street
newspaper, produced and sold by vendors experiencing homelessness.
Provided technical support and assistance in outreach to people experiencing
homelessness.
Statewide Organizing:
Coordinated the March 12th “People’s Day on the Hill”. This effort joined grass-‐
roots and progressive organiza ons that had previously held separate lobby
days, to come together for support and solidarity. Par cipants included Cha a-‐
nooga Organized for Ac on, Statewide Organizing for Community Empower-‐
ment, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coali on, Workers Interfaith
Network, Workers Dignity Project, Healthy & Free Tennessee, Tennessee
Equality Project, Tennessee Transgender Poli cal Ac on Coali on, AFSCME
Local 1733, Tennessee Ci zen Ac on, and Memphis Bus Riders Union.
Produced a comprehensive guide to bills of interest to grassroots communi es
that was distributed to lobby day par cipants and used statewide as a resource
for our community members at home.
Coordinated movement-building space in a nearby church that included lobby
training, tes monial and learning space, and a central place for all groups to
base their efforts on The Hill.
Organizing and mobilizing people to realize
social jus ce through nonviolent ac on.
Annual Report
2013
Mid-South Peace and Jus ce Center
3573 Southern Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
www.midsouthpeace.org
901.725.4990
Our Mission