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Rev. Donald Perryman, PhD, president and founder, reflects,
“In 2008, we, a group of pastors, came together to challenge
the socioeconomic crisis resulting from the collateral harms
of mass incarceration, concurrent with a shift to
globalization and an automated economy. This socioeconomic
transition exacerbated income inequality, raised poverty
rates, and produced a plague on the community evidenced by
increasing health disparities and widening educational gaps
in Toledo’s communities of color and among low-income or
underserved populations. Consequently, it is the goal of
UPSE to bring together local religious leaders and
representatives of the broader community in a collaborative
partnership of peers. Our task has been to form, implement,
and maintain the collaboration while achieving positive
change.”
UPSE’s 2019 Accomplishments
The Human Right to Water:
United Pastors successfully encouraged
the City of Toledo to set aside half a million dollars for a
low-income assistance program and millions more for lead
line replacement. Through this process, United Pastors also
asked and the City provided a new way for tenants create an
account so they may access the new low-income assistance
program. But most importantly, the City adopted a
resolution that formally recognizes the Human Right to Water
and creates a water affordability and consumer protection
committee that will continue to improve access to water
services in Toledo.
Civil Rights in Public Transportation:
United Pastors filed a
Civil Rights complaint with the FTA. The complaint alleges
that TARTA failed to comply with Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act, and demands that TARTA implement new policies
and procedures to ensure compliance in the future. While its
complaint is still pending before the FTA, United Pastors
worked to bring more public attention to this critical
issue, and with other community leaders, demand changes at
TARTA. These efforts met significant successes in 2019, and
United Pastors expect more systemic improvements in 2020 to
improve and better regionalize public transit.
Honorees
The cohort of honorees, were described by Perryman as, “a
great one that enables to build on the foundation left by
abolitionists, civic leaders, civil rights leaders, pastors
and many others. Some reconcilers, some sent to tear up and
pull down, and some to rebuild.
Bishop Robert
Culp was recognized for his ability to take insights and
experiences with Dr. Martin Luther King and translate those
into community economic empowerment initiatives. Some of
those initiatives include franchises, stores, factories, and
the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union. Rev. John E.
Roberts, DMin, described by Perryman as the “Provost of
Toledo Pastors,” became the fourth pastor of Indiana Avenue
Baptist Church in 1965. He has been a strong advocate for
securing meaningful employment within communities of color.
Pastor Roberts is noted for his ability to advocate through
finding ways to work towards peace. Sr. Virginia Welsh,
director of the Padua Center and pastoral leader of St.
Martin de Porres Parish, was recognized for her work
in prison reform, and an array of services in distressed
neighborhoods. Some include food pantries and after school
services to children.
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.
Rev. Otis Moss, Jr., DMin, served as the keynote speaker.
“Dr. Moss is one of America’s most influential religious
leaders and highly sought-after public speakers. Moss has
been involved in advocating for civil and human rights and
social justice issues for most of his adult life.” He was a
staff member for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and
participated I the Oxford Round Table in Oxford England in
2004. Moss has also been a guest presenter for the Lyman
Beecher Lecture Series at Yale University. Moss encouraged
the crowd of activists and community servants by reminding
them that our task is to transform pain into medicine and
tribulation into treasure.
Thank you to the planning committee: Donald Perryman; Fr.
Tony Gallager; Sarah Jenkins; Otis Gordon, DMin; Rev.
Christopher Hanley and Amariah McIntosh, DMin. For more
information about the United Pastors for Social Empowerment
please visit
www.unitedpastors.org.
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