Last Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, the Center for Community Based Enterprise (C2BE) provided 30 members of Zingerman's Diversity and Inclusion Committee with a tour of the community wealth building programs at Church of the Messiah and initiated an ongoing dialogue with youth and adult church members and leaders of the C2BE- which is located at the church) about what needs to be done to restore community and rebuild neighborhoods like the Island View neighborhood on Detroit's east side. The church, Zingerman's and C2BE share a strong belief in the ability to make change by supporting and enlisting the talents of every individual to build community well-being and wealth. Following is a recent interview of Pastor Randolph.
"Interview of Reverend Barry Randolph, Pastor, Church of the Messiah, Detroit, Michigan by Steve Dubb, Research Director, The Democracy Collaborative, October 2013
Reverend Barry Randolph is pastor of Church of the Messiah, a Detroit church that has developed four social enterprises to date, one of which is a private community-based business and three of which are owned by the Church directly. The Church has also sponsored a CDC for the past 35 years. In addition to being a pastor, Rev. Randolph is also a leader in the community having joined other groups in coalitions, including church consortia and a public safety group. Barry is also on the board of the Center for Community Based Enterprises (C2BE). [Full disclosure: the interviewer is also on the Board of C2BE]. The Church, founded more than a century ago, found itself on hard times a decade ago, but under Rev. Randolph’s leadership, the Church has grown rapidly, becoming a leading community group in Detroit revitalization work.
Could you talk about your background in small business and how you came to be pastor of the Church of the Messiah? " ... (Read More)
