Your ongoing support and solidarity have helped our community speak nonviolent truth to power. Thank you for your support of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. Please view our 2013 Annual Report which details the amazing work and significant victories you have worked with our community to achieve in the past year.

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

2. MSPJC’s training and educa on program, Grass-­‐
roots Organizer Training for Power (G.O.T. Pow-­‐
er) is commi ed to building our community's
capacity through: building skills in grassroots
organizing, providing support to people doing
community work, and offering support and de-­‐
velopment workshops in an -oppression and
libera on educa on. G.O.T. Power u lizes the
training modality of direct educa on, in which
par cipants learn skills and theory through hands
-on experience and by learning from the wisdom
of the group. G.O.T. Power engages the commu-­‐
nity by offering trainings to public, as well as
serving groups with specific training requests. It is an open resource to
the community, offering all trainings and workshops on a deeply dis-­‐
counted sliding scale, with no one turned away.
Community Organizer Training
Our flagship organizing skills weekend-long intensive consis ng of six-­‐
teen hours of direct-educa on based training in founda onal skills need-­‐
ed to be effec ve organizers. Offered in English and Spanish (G.O.T.
Poder). Skill base includes: Intro to Organizing, Campaign Planning, Facil-­‐
ita on, Media, Transforming Conflict, Nonviolent Direct Ac on
Organizer Skills Workshops
8 addi onal short-form organizing skills workshops offered:
 Intro to Nonviolent Direct Ac on
 Founding and Funding Your Grassroots Group
 Media 201
 Facilita on Skills
 Intro to Community Organizing for Middle School Students
 Facilita ng Mee ngs
 Lobbying our Representa ves
 Training for Social Ac on Trainers (Training for Change)
An -Oppression & Development Workshops
 Empowerment for Women
 Reflexology
 Emo onal Support for Men
 Nonviolent Communica on
 Paren ng from the Heart: Nonviolent Communica on for Parents
 Emo onal Support for Ac vists
 Race First
 LGBTQ Rights for Students
There were 524 total G.O.T. Power training and
workshop par cipants in 2013:
 62 from outside of Memphis
 340 middle and high school students
 54 engaged in training of trainers opportuni es
 27 trainings requested by specific groups
Local and regional community groups engaged include:
 Bridges USA
 Co-Mo on
 Community-Police Rela ons Project
 Comunidades Unidas en Una Voz (Communi es United in One
Voice),
 Friends For Life,
 Greater Birmingham Ministers
 Grow Memphis
 Hispanic Interest Coali on Alabama (HICA),
 Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality (H.O.P.E.)
 Memphis Bus Riders Union (MBRU)
 NAACP
 Peace and Jus ce Center of Nashville
 Sierra Club
 Tennessee Immigrant & Refugees Rights Coali on (TIRRC
 Workers Interfaith Network
Homeless Organizing for Power &
Equality (H.O.P.E.) is a grassroots organiza-­‐
on made up of exclusively of people who have
formerly or are currently experiencing homeless-­‐
ness, advoca ng on behalf of themselves and the
homeless community.
 Prevented $250,000 in cuts to funding for vital
housing programs and suppor ve services
secured by H.O.P.E. for the 2012 Shelby Coun-­‐
ty budget.
 Recruited over 30 H.O.P.E. members and al-­‐
lies, and coordinated street-outreach for the
Community Alliance for the Homeless’ “100
Homes Campaign”, for which H.O.P.E. had
secured crucial funding. 100 Homes aims to
priori ze individuals for housing based on
their vulnerability to street homelessness.
 Recruited over 60 volunteers and hosted vol-­‐
unteer training for the city of Memphis' “Point
in Time” annual count of the homeless.
 Recruited over 100 volunteers and assisted
with “Project Homeless Connect”, a massive bi
-annual outreach and service event to break
down barriers that make it difficult to leave
homelessness.
 Updated, published and distributed 6,500
copies of the “Homeless Survival Guide”,
Memphis' first user-friendly directory of all
homeless services.
 Served as a member organiza on with the
Memphis/Shelby County Homelessness Con-­‐
sor um, and the Memphis United Coali on
In 2013 H.O.P.E. has developed four dis nct pro-­‐
jects to address diverse aspects of homelessness
and poverty.
 Developed a coopera ve business model for
“Street-Wise INK”, a member-owned, t-shirt
prin ng business.
 Secured a $10,000 Spark Plug Founda on
grant to support the cost of equipment and
training
 Launched “Street Watch” campaign to con-­‐
front instances of police harassment of people
experiencing homelessness.
 Hosted seven monthly “Know Your Rights
Workshops” to educate the community on
their rights and how to assert them. (Average
50 par cipants per workshop)
 Filed official complaints with Memphis Police
Department Internal Affairs in response to
unjust arrests and cita ons regarding com-­‐
plaints of police harassment and/or miscon-­‐
duct, and documented the process for filing a
complaint.
 Released statement condemning harassment
and the viola on of civil rights by law enforce-­‐
ment and private security officers following a
string of incidents where individuals using cell
phones to document poten al unprofessional
behavior were arrested and their phones con-­‐
fiscated.
 Working with the Center for Research on
Women, launched H.O.P.E. “Women’s Cau-­‐
cus” to address and confront the dis nct ex-­‐
periences of people experiencing homeless-­‐
ness who iden fy as women, including domes-­‐
c violence, sexual assault, and inadequate
shelter and housing assistance
 Waged a successful direct ac on campaign
that included ten weekly public protests
against a local shelter/service provider for
employing an individual about whom H.O.P.E.
received numerous complaints of sexual har-­‐
assment and unprofessional behavior from
consumers and former staff persons.
 Used its regular “Dinner and Discussion”
mee ngs as a pla orm to organize specifically
around issues of violence. Talks resulted in the
launching of a fundraising campaign for a five-
week intensive self-defense training which
equipped members with the fundamental
skills needed to handle an a ack and get out
of violent situa ons quickly. Ini ated plans for
a training of trainers, where members can
expand training of women experiencing home-­‐
lessness on self-defense on the street and in
shelters.
 Formed the H.O.P.E. “Garden Crew”, focused
on developing community gardens to educate
members on food independence, establish
rela onships within the community and beau-­‐
fy our neighborhoods.
Community-Police Rela ons Project
(CPR) creates a safe place for community and
law enforcement to openly discuss barriers that
prevent building a posi ve rela onship. These
discussions will result in recommenda ons and a
plan for ac on to create healthier community-
police rela ons in Memphis and Shelby County.
 Eight (8) community forums were conducted
in 2013, reaching an es mated 735 communi-­‐
ty members from Frayser, Hickory Hill, Orange
Mound, South Memphis, and for the LGBTQ
and La no communi es, as well as 400 stu-­‐
dents at the 2013 Gandhi-King Conference.) A
cri cal first step in a long-term reconcilia on-
seeking process, community forums create an
open, mediated space for civilians and law
enforcement officers to share personal experi-­‐
ences with another. Employ of improvisa on-­‐
al theatre company Playback Memphis as
unique communica on tool for the forums has
allowed even the most difficult offerings to be
shared in a manner where the story can be er
be received without judgment.
 Core group members meet monthly, par ci-­‐
pate in working groups (steering commi ee,
facilita on, media, and outreach) and volun-­‐
teer to assist with community forums.
 As a result of CPR par cipa on, the Sheriff's
Office has strengthened its connec on with
Tennessee Equality Project and the LGBTQ
community, and has designated Detec ve
Barbara Tolbert as a liaison for the LGBTQ
MPD officers are volunteering as liaisons.
 Insights regarding about the community's
thoughts/percep ons about law enforcement
gained through CPR involvement, are being
reflected in official law enforcement trainings.
Memphis Bus Riders Union (MBRU)
works to build a sustainable grassroots organiza-­‐
on made up of and represen ng transit-
dependent people in the local area to organize for
be er public transit.
 Held 12 regular member mee ngs with the
MATA bus patrons about issues of public
transit.
 Successfully mobilized hundreds of bus riders
and allies to a end MATA Town Halls and City
Council budget hearings. Completed dra ing
and approval of by-laws and the elec on of
new officers.
 Successfully organized to restore $1.2 million
in funding for MATA and prevent detrimental
cuts and changes including weekend, late
night, and holiday service,
 Restored bus service to President’s Island and
Northhaven and prevented the cu ng of the
Central (U of M) and Germantown Parkway
routes
 Offered changes to the #2 Airport MATA bus
route in the Medical District.
 Par cipated in the MATA Shelter Advisory
Commi ee, providing input on new/needed
shelter loca ons.
“I found the camaraderie fostered amongst the
group invaluable. Not only did this allow me to
meet, network, and begin rela onships with some
truly badass organizers, but it too emphasizes the
importance of strong rela onships for the efficacy
of any ac on/campaign/movement.”
- Community Organizer Training Par cipant
Training and Engagement Organizing and Mobilizing
10th Annual Gandhi-King Community Conference
More than 200 par cipants engaged in three tracks of par cipatory workshops, panel discussions and
presenta ons. An addi onal 400 students engaged in the 2013 Gandhi-King Youth Conference. Plenary
Speakers: Medea Benjamin of CodePink Women for Peace & Jaribu Hill of Mississippi Workers Center
Track 1: Personal Nonviolence: Nonviolent Communica on, Vulnerability and Realness in Organizing,
Interfaith Roundtable, De-stressing with Yoga
Track 2: Nonviolence in Academia: Comple ng the Circle in King's Sociology, Teaching the Holocaust as General Educa on, Pilgrimage as Poli cal
Spirituality, Gandhi's Programme - King's Jus ce
Track 3: Movement-Building Nonviolence: Community Police Rela ons, Public Transit Reform, Nonviolence and Nonviolent Interven on Training,
Civil Disobedience in the TN Immigrant Rights Movement, War on Poverty and Homelessness
ORGANIZE for Grassroots Change:
Consistent, coordinated and support-­‐
ed organizing that li s up and brings
together the grassroots voices of our
communi es to work toward a vision
of libera on and social jus ce
ENGAGE Communi es in Building Power: Grass-­‐
roots leadership development and organizer train-­‐
ing to rebuild the capacity of low income and mar-­‐
ginalized communi es to organize for peace, jus ce
and power
MOBILIZE Our Power for Jus ce:
Mobilizing our community to create
posi ve change and win victories
that are based upon the collec ve,
organized power of those most
affected by injus ce

3. MSPJC’s training and educa on program, Grass-­‐
roots Organizer Training for Power (G.O.T. Pow-­‐
er) is commi ed to building our community's
capacity through: building skills in grassroots
organizing, providing support to people doing
community work, and offering support and de-­‐
velopment workshops in an -oppression and
libera on educa on. G.O.T. Power u lizes the
training modality of direct educa on, in which
par cipants learn skills and theory through hands
-on experience and by learning from the wisdom
of the group. G.O.T. Power engages the commu-­‐
nity by offering trainings to public, as well as
serving groups with specific training requests. It is an open resource to
the community, offering all trainings and workshops on a deeply dis-­‐
counted sliding scale, with no one turned away.
Community Organizer Training
Our flagship organizing skills weekend-long intensive consis ng of six-­‐
teen hours of direct-educa on based training in founda onal skills need-­‐
ed to be effec ve organizers. Offered in English and Spanish (G.O.T.
Poder). Skill base includes: Intro to Organizing, Campaign Planning, Facil-­‐
ita on, Media, Transforming Conflict, Nonviolent Direct Ac on
Organizer Skills Workshops
8 addi onal short-form organizing skills workshops offered:
 Intro to Nonviolent Direct Ac on
 Founding and Funding Your Grassroots Group
 Media 201
 Facilita on Skills
 Intro to Community Organizing for Middle School Students
 Facilita ng Mee ngs
 Lobbying our Representa ves
 Training for Social Ac on Trainers (Training for Change)
An -Oppression & Development Workshops
 Empowerment for Women
 Reflexology
 Emo onal Support for Men
 Nonviolent Communica on
 Paren ng from the Heart: Nonviolent Communica on for Parents
 Emo onal Support for Ac vists
 Race First
 LGBTQ Rights for Students
There were 524 total G.O.T. Power training and
workshop par cipants in 2013:
 62 from outside of Memphis
 340 middle and high school students
 54 engaged in training of trainers opportuni es
 27 trainings requested by specific groups
Local and regional community groups engaged include:
 Bridges USA
 Co-Mo on
 Community-Police Rela ons Project
 Comunidades Unidas en Una Voz (Communi es United in One
Voice),
 Friends For Life,
 Greater Birmingham Ministers
 Grow Memphis
 Hispanic Interest Coali on Alabama (HICA),
 Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality (H.O.P.E.)
 Memphis Bus Riders Union (MBRU)
 NAACP
 Peace and Jus ce Center of Nashville
 Sierra Club
 Tennessee Immigrant & Refugees Rights Coali on (TIRRC
 Workers Interfaith Network
Homeless Organizing for Power &
Equality (H.O.P.E.) is a grassroots organiza-­‐
on made up of exclusively of people who have
formerly or are currently experiencing homeless-­‐
ness, advoca ng on behalf of themselves and the
homeless community.
 Prevented $250,000 in cuts to funding for vital
housing programs and suppor ve services
secured by H.O.P.E. for the 2012 Shelby Coun-­‐
ty budget.
 Recruited over 30 H.O.P.E. members and al-­‐
lies, and coordinated street-outreach for the
Community Alliance for the Homeless’ “100
Homes Campaign”, for which H.O.P.E. had
secured crucial funding. 100 Homes aims to
priori ze individuals for housing based on
their vulnerability to street homelessness.
 Recruited over 60 volunteers and hosted vol-­‐
unteer training for the city of Memphis' “Point
in Time” annual count of the homeless.
 Recruited over 100 volunteers and assisted
with “Project Homeless Connect”, a massive bi
-annual outreach and service event to break
down barriers that make it difficult to leave
homelessness.
 Updated, published and distributed 6,500
copies of the “Homeless Survival Guide”,
Memphis' first user-friendly directory of all
homeless services.
 Served as a member organiza on with the
Memphis/Shelby County Homelessness Con-­‐
sor um, and the Memphis United Coali on
In 2013 H.O.P.E. has developed four dis nct pro-­‐
jects to address diverse aspects of homelessness
and poverty.
 Developed a coopera ve business model for
“Street-Wise INK”, a member-owned, t-shirt
prin ng business.
 Secured a $10,000 Spark Plug Founda on
grant to support the cost of equipment and
training
 Launched “Street Watch” campaign to con-­‐
front instances of police harassment of people
experiencing homelessness.
 Hosted seven monthly “Know Your Rights
Workshops” to educate the community on
their rights and how to assert them. (Average
50 par cipants per workshop)
 Filed official complaints with Memphis Police
Department Internal Affairs in response to
unjust arrests and cita ons regarding com-­‐
plaints of police harassment and/or miscon-­‐
duct, and documented the process for filing a
complaint.
 Released statement condemning harassment
and the viola on of civil rights by law enforce-­‐
ment and private security officers following a
string of incidents where individuals using cell
phones to document poten al unprofessional
behavior were arrested and their phones con-­‐
fiscated.
 Working with the Center for Research on
Women, launched H.O.P.E. “Women’s Cau-­‐
cus” to address and confront the dis nct ex-­‐
periences of people experiencing homeless-­‐
ness who iden fy as women, including domes-­‐
c violence, sexual assault, and inadequate
shelter and housing assistance
 Waged a successful direct ac on campaign
that included ten weekly public protests
against a local shelter/service provider for
employing an individual about whom H.O.P.E.
received numerous complaints of sexual har-­‐
assment and unprofessional behavior from
consumers and former staff persons.
 Used its regular “Dinner and Discussion”
mee ngs as a pla orm to organize specifically
around issues of violence. Talks resulted in the
launching of a fundraising campaign for a five-
week intensive self-defense training which
equipped members with the fundamental
skills needed to handle an a ack and get out
of violent situa ons quickly. Ini ated plans for
a training of trainers, where members can
expand training of women experiencing home-­‐
lessness on self-defense on the street and in
shelters.
 Formed the H.O.P.E. “Garden Crew”, focused
on developing community gardens to educate
members on food independence, establish
rela onships within the community and beau-­‐
fy our neighborhoods.
Community-Police Rela ons Project
(CPR) creates a safe place for community and
law enforcement to openly discuss barriers that
prevent building a posi ve rela onship. These
discussions will result in recommenda ons and a
plan for ac on to create healthier community-
police rela ons in Memphis and Shelby County.
 Eight (8) community forums were conducted
in 2013, reaching an es mated 735 communi-­‐
ty members from Frayser, Hickory Hill, Orange
Mound, South Memphis, and for the LGBTQ
and La no communi es, as well as 400 stu-­‐
dents at the 2013 Gandhi-King Conference.) A
cri cal first step in a long-term reconcilia on-
seeking process, community forums create an
open, mediated space for civilians and law
enforcement officers to share personal experi-­‐
ences with another. Employ of improvisa on-­‐
al theatre company Playback Memphis as
unique communica on tool for the forums has
allowed even the most difficult offerings to be
shared in a manner where the story can be er
be received without judgment.
 Core group members meet monthly, par ci-­‐
pate in working groups (steering commi ee,
facilita on, media, and outreach) and volun-­‐
teer to assist with community forums.
 As a result of CPR par cipa on, the Sheriff's
Office has strengthened its connec on with
Tennessee Equality Project and the LGBTQ
community, and has designated Detec ve
Barbara Tolbert as a liaison for the LGBTQ
MPD officers are volunteering as liaisons.
 Insights regarding about the community's
thoughts/percep ons about law enforcement
gained through CPR involvement, are being
reflected in official law enforcement trainings.
Memphis Bus Riders Union (MBRU)
works to build a sustainable grassroots organiza-­‐
on made up of and represen ng transit-
dependent people in the local area to organize for
be er public transit.
 Held 12 regular member mee ngs with the
MATA bus patrons about issues of public
transit.
 Successfully mobilized hundreds of bus riders
and allies to a end MATA Town Halls and City
Council budget hearings. Completed dra ing
and approval of by-laws and the elec on of
new officers.
 Successfully organized to restore $1.2 million
in funding for MATA and prevent detrimental
cuts and changes including weekend, late
night, and holiday service,
 Restored bus service to President’s Island and
Northhaven and prevented the cu ng of the
Central (U of M) and Germantown Parkway
routes
 Offered changes to the #2 Airport MATA bus
route in the Medical District.
 Par cipated in the MATA Shelter Advisory
Commi ee, providing input on new/needed
shelter loca ons.
“I found the camaraderie fostered amongst the
group invaluable. Not only did this allow me to
meet, network, and begin rela onships with some
truly badass organizers, but it too emphasizes the
importance of strong rela onships for the efficacy
of any ac on/campaign/movement.”
- Community Organizer Training Par cipant
Training and Engagement Organizing and Mobilizing
10th Annual Gandhi-King Community Conference
More than 200 par cipants engaged in three tracks of par cipatory workshops, panel discussions and
presenta ons. An addi onal 400 students engaged in the 2013 Gandhi-King Youth Conference. Plenary
Speakers: Medea Benjamin of CodePink Women for Peace & Jaribu Hill of Mississippi Workers Center
Track 1: Personal Nonviolence: Nonviolent Communica on, Vulnerability and Realness in Organizing,
Interfaith Roundtable, De-stressing with Yoga
Track 2: Nonviolence in Academia: Comple ng the Circle in King's Sociology, Teaching the Holocaust as General Educa on, Pilgrimage as Poli cal
Spirituality, Gandhi's Programme - King's Jus ce
Track 3: Movement-Building Nonviolence: Community Police Rela ons, Public Transit Reform, Nonviolence and Nonviolent Interven on Training,
Civil Disobedience in the TN Immigrant Rights Movement, War on Poverty and Homelessness
ORGANIZE for Grassroots Change:
Consistent, coordinated and support-­‐
ed organizing that li s up and brings
together the grassroots voices of our
communi es to work toward a vision
of libera on and social jus ce
ENGAGE Communi es in Building Power: Grass-­‐
roots leadership development and organizer train-­‐
ing to rebuild the capacity of low income and mar-­‐
ginalized communi es to organize for peace, jus ce
and power
MOBILIZE Our Power for Jus ce:
Mobilizing our community to create
posi ve change and win victories
that are based upon the collec ve,
organized power of those most
affected by injus ce

4. 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