The Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH) aims to empower marginalized voices and address systemic issues of poverty and racism in Memphis through initiatives in economic equity, education reform, and intercultural justice. The document outlines an agenda for a public meeting that includes presentations on MICAH's platform and corporate accountability, although community representatives will have limited speaking opportunities. Specific goals include financial empowerment for low-income communities, improvements in school facilities and support for teachers, and enhanced oversight of law enforcement to foster equitable treatment for all residents.

2. Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope is an Organization of
Organizations that seeks to be a voice of Power for those that have no
voice. MICAH is a prophetic voice in the city of Memphis and Shelby
County whose mission is to transform a dominant narrative of poverty and
racism as a result of 200 years of structural racism into a liberating narrative
of equity for all in the areas of education reform, economic empowerment,
and intercultural justness. After 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s
assassination in our city we are answering his question, “Where do we go
from here?” We are Moving Memphis Forward!
Dr. Stacy Spencer
President, MICAH
Rules of the Day
This is a public meeting of MICAH between coalition , who have spent
hundreds of hours discussing and forming positions on our issues, and
community representatives, such as public officials, candidates and business
leaders. The community representatives have all been advised on MICAH’s
key issues and have been provided, in advance, any issues which will be
addressed directly to them.
Due to time constraints, community representatives will not be given time to
speak, outside of answering whether they agree to work with MICAH on the
solutions to the issues in MICAH’s platform. Candidates for the U.S. Senate
and for the Tennessee gubernatorial race who are present will be given two
minutes to directly address MICAH’s platform following the presentation of
all issues. Any representatives for the candidates will be recognized, but not
be given the opportunity to speak.
No questions or remarks will be taken from the floor and all community
representatives will be shown respect. Candidates have been asked to not
distribute campaign materials during the meeting. Thank you for respecting
these rules.

3. Moving Memphis Forward
Program Agenda
Prelude Music Adajyo
Welcome Dr. Stacy Spencer
Opening Prayer Bishop-Designate
Linwood Dillard
Who Is MICAH? Dr. Stacy Spencer
Rules of the Day Rabbi Katie Bauman
Acknowledgement of Guests Rev. Will Christians
Vahisha Hasan
Partner Roll Call Janiece Lee
Presentation of MICAH Platform:
1. Economic Equity Task Force Britney Thornton, Co-Chair
Samantha Bradshaw, Co-Chair
2. Education Alexis Gwin-Miller, Co-Chair
Lloyd Stovall, Co-Chair
3. Immigration & Intercultural Marcos Villa, Co-Chair
Equity Rev. Dr. Rosalyn Nichols
Ask of Community Representatives Rev. Will Christians
Vahisha Hasan
Rev. Lucy Waechter-Webb
Address of Issues U.S. Senate or Gubernatorial
Candidates, if present
Ask of Community and Membership Beverly Robertson
(Musical selection by Adajyo)
Call to Action/Announcements Rev. Ayanna Watkins
Closing Prayer/Reflection Na’eem Rashada
Rabbi Harry Danziger
#MICAH901
#MovingMemphisForward

4. Economic Equity
What’s the Problem? Memphis has suffered from economic inequity and
systemic racism with adverse effects in housing, business development,
transportation, opportunities for returning citizens, and living wage jobs. In
spite of modest improvements, Memphis still ranks second poorest among
cities in the U.S., especially among children and families of color.
Why Should We Care? Economic equity is an issue of justice. Memphis will
not see far-reaching economic growth without addressing the underlying
issues of disparity that have historically undermined the economic well-being
for communities of color. Economic prosperity is not being shared equitably,
resulting in a city still divided by racial and economic lines.
What Should Be Done?
Financial Empowerment Equity
• Engage banks to innovate and invest various forms of growth capital into
low and moderate income areas.
• Engage foundations to provide “social business funds” to invest in
socially conscious, low income entrepreneurs’ start-up costs.
• Hold local financial institutions accountable to fully comply with or exceed
Community Reinvestment Act requirements (CRA) and related
agreements; seek commitments from those not in highest compliance; resist
any attempts to ease CRA regulations.
Transportation Equity
• Double the operational funding for MATA over the next three years and
work with elected officials to find dedicated long-term sources of funding.
• Increase the number and speed of routes to underserved communities and
resist reductions of service.
• Advocate for more funding from corporate, municipal, state, and federal
resources for bus upgrades.
• Engage foundations and others to fund innovative and alternative
transportation in low income communities.
Community Dislocation and Affordable Housing
• Hold Memphis Housing Authority accountable to their commitment for the
return of the former residents of Foote Homes.
• Reserve 1/3 of the new housing complex for the lowest stratum of low-
income residents of the city.
• Ensure that 300 former Foote Home households are ensured residence in
the new development.

5. Education
What’s the Problem? Issues related to poverty, poorly maintained schools,
adverse childhood experiences, trauma, disproportionate consequences for
students of color, insufficient resources for wraparound services (such as
school nurses, counselors and social workers), and inadequate support for
teachers, their professional development and classroom supplies, continue to
negatively affect educational quality and school attendance among Shelby
County Schools (SCS).
Why Should We Care? SCS’s ability to provide a quality, equitable
education is being undercut by high teacher turnover and year-long teaching
vacancies, as well as significant maintenance deficiencies within the schools,
leading to higher financial, educational, and health costs. A lack of access to
wraparound services provided by qualified social workers, psychologists, and
nurses inhibits the successful treatment of trauma or Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACE). Abuse, neglect, and trauma significantly increases the
likelihood of suspensions, juvenile criminal behavior, and incarceration. With
a median age four years below the national average, Memphis’s population
can support economic development, but only if we provide children in our
community access to opportunities and support.
What Should Be Done? Ensure funding for and transparency about progress
with:
• Clean, safe, updated, and modern school facilities for all our children
• Raising the number of nurses, social workers, and school counselors
per student in the schools to nearer the number recommended by
professional organizations
• Fairly compensating teachers and paraprofessionals in high-needs
schools or lowering class size to make workload equitable to that
of teachers of more affluent students.
• Communicate with parents about their rights, publicizing the
budgeted SCS per-pupil expenditure, and empowering them to seek
support in their community
• Training teachers and school-based staff in proven methods of social-
emotional support and trauma-informed care in the classroom
• Implementing school-based and improved professional development
for school leaders and teachers in the areas of school budgeting and
testing procedures and scheduling to make school operations more
transparent and comprehensible.
• Engaging teachers and parents in open dialog over testing products
and expectations to improve implementation of existing tests or seek
out better options to decrease teacher burnout and retention.

6. Immigration and Intercultural Equity
What’s the Problem? As Memphis grapples with the evolution of racism in
the 21st
century, Memphians of color bear the brunt of that struggle. Our local
governments, including the school boards and law enforcement, don’t do
enough to lighten the load. The Memphis Police Department lacks
accountability. The Civil Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) has
heard dozens of complaints about police misconduct and recommended
appropriate follow ups by MPD in some cases. MPD has enacted none of
CLERB’s recommendations. As ICE intensifies their presence in Memphis
and Shelby County, more Memphians are missing family and neighbors, or
are whisked away to detention themselves. A common infraction that initiates
the pipeline to deportation is lack of identification.
Why Should We Care? Our children of color shouldn’t have to walk into a
classroom to find racial slurs etched into their desks. Educators should be
educated and trained on how to handle issues of racial and diversity biases.
Improving police relations and oversight, especially in law enforcement’s
involvement with people of color within the community, would increase
confidence and security for the greater Memphis area. More importantly, it
could potentially help in preventing unnecessary injuries or deaths. When
Martavious Banks was shot by officers in September, their body cameras were
turned off, in violation of MPD policy. Fear of law enforcement is felt by the
immigrants within our community as well. Undocumented immigrants paid
$61.5 million in Memphis taxes in 2015 and are less than half as likely as
native-born citizens to commit crimes. The Memphians who are torn away
leave behind gaping holes not just within their families, but also within our
community.
What Should Be Done?
• Strengthen the Citizen Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) by
granting it independent subpoena power, including subpoena power
over officers. Request MPD Director Rallings signal his commitment
to engaging CLERB in good faith by addressing and honoring their
recommendations to date.
• Work with the city and county mayors to make Memphis a more
welcoming city by creating and recognizing a City ID card accessible
to every member of the community and accepted by both city and
county law enforcement.
• Demand and monitor anti-racism and cultural sensitivity training and
education for all local law enforcement and school board employees
and students.

7. MICAH Executive Team
Executive Officers
President Dr. Stacy Spencer (New Direction)
Chairperson Rabbi Katie Bauman (Temple Israel)
Vice-Chairperson Josh Spickler (Just City)
Treasurer Tiffany Graham (New Direction)
Secretary Janiece J. Lee (Hope Church)
Executive Committee Chairs/Vice-Chairs
Structure Rev. Ayanna Watkins, Rev. Walter Henry
Partnership Meggan Kiel, Ryan Lee
Training Rev. Will Christians, Vahisha Hasan
Communications Sara First, Marcos Villa
Fundraising Beverly Robertson, Katy Spurlock
Task Force Liaison Rev. Lucy Waechter-Webb
Acknowledgements
MICAH would like to thank the following for their generous contributions
and support for the public meeting:
Video Production: Kim Bledsoe Lloyd
Black Muddy River Productions
www.bmrprod.com
Video Shoots: Chris Franklin
Brennan Boose
Graphic Design: Jessica Willis/Seven30Designs
Sound: Tyler Cox
JOIN US!
MICAH Monthly Meeting
November 13, 2018, 7- 8:30 PM
Blount Auditorium, Rhodes College
Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope
P.O. Box 40852, Memphis, TN 38174
info@micahmemphis.org
www.micahmemphis.org Facebook: @MICAH901 Twitter: @MICAH_901

8. PARTNERS
1. AGAPE Child and Family
Services
2. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc. – Alpha Delta
Lambda Chapter
3. Beth Sholom Synagogue
4. Born Again Christian Center
5. Campaign Nonviolence
Memphis
6. CEFIMEX
7. Christ Missionary Baptist
Church
8. Church of the River- First
Unitarian
9. Citadel of Deliverance –
Church of God in Christ
10. Diversity Memphis
11. Evergreen Presbyterian
Church
12. Facing History and Ourselves
13. First Congregational Church
14. Freedom's Chapel Christian
Church - Disciples of
Christ
15. Golden Gate Cathedral
16. Greater Works Fellowship
17. Hope Church
18. Idlewild Presbyterian Church
19. Journey Christian Church
20. JUICE Orange Mound
21. Just City
22. Latino Memphis
23. Lindenwood Christian Church
24. Masjid Al-Mu’minun
25. Memphis & West TN AFL-
CIO Labor Council
26. Memphis Center for Urban
Theological Studies
(MCUTS)
27. MIFA
28. National Civil Rights Museum
29. Neshoba Unitarian
Universalist Church
30. New Direction Christian
Church
31. New Testament Church
32. Olivet Fellowship
33. Pax Christi
34. Perfecting Love Community
Church
35. Promise Land Church
36. Shady Grove Presbyterian
Church
37. St. Andrew A.M.E. Church
38. St. James A.M.E. Church
39. St. Mary’s Episcopal
Cathedral
40. St. Patrick Catholic Church
41. Stand for Children
42. Teamsters Local 667
43. Temple Israel
44. Temple of Judah Apostolic
Ministries
45. The Urban Child Institute
46. United Methodist Church-
Memphis Metro District
47. Voices of Reason
48. Workers Interfaith Network
#MICAH901 #MovingMemphisForward