Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Dec. 28, 2006, edition 1 / Page 7
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■PI 7A '©o NEWaroSt CJsrlotte #o« Thursday, December 28, 2006 Ministry’s goal: Catalyst for community’s growth Continued from page 1A continue at “the Park.” “Everyone knows about HTV, but what about HCV,” asked Alexander. “It has the potential to overshadow HTV and AIDS in terms of damage and death in the long term.” In addition to working at University Park, Al^ander is also on the board of direc tors of the Charlotte Chamber and Central Carolinas Collective Banking Group. He is vice president of the Hampton University Ministries Conference, assis tant to the presiding bishop of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors, as well as, co-chair of the Professional Sports Investment Group, and Community Building Imitative. Early this month, Alexander greeted members of CBI to a stakeholders’ breakfast, introducing them to the area that would soon be The Park’s sanctuary It was through the Community Biulding Initiative that Dianne English worked with Alexander, thoi^h she met him before that. ‘1 knew him before CBI,” English said- “We served on the Ministiy of Recovery together. He was really' young.-but you could see his energy, his insight, and pas sion. I saw a h^t and energy about him, probably what the church saw when they called him here.” In 1997, the CBI task force was brou^t together to work on what was intended to be a nine-month process. Alexander “always says a nine month project became a 10 year mission,” said Enghsh. Through the 10 . years, Alexander has continu ally worked with CBI; a long term commitment English feels means a great deal. “In line with our work what our work is about.. .racial and eth nic equity..and understand ing that it is long term work...for someone like Rev. Alexander to make a long term commitment is mean ingful.” En^sh said she was sur prised to hear about the Merchandise Mart deal when it was annoimced, because she had not been tracking the explosive growth of the University Park congrega tion. Al^ander, she said, has a knack for leadership. “I think he’s got a vision for what can happen if people are mobilized and support ed... and that’s newsworthy,” explained English. Members of University Parks congregation describe Alexander as “God sent.” Ethel Palmer calls him “a man of God, who says what he means.” “On Simday when he gets in the prilpit, there are no jokes - he’s strai^t forwai-d,” she said. When Alexander arrived in Charlotte in 1990, he met none of University Park’s quaMcations. “They wanted someone 35, married, with a least five years pastoral expe rience,” he said. Alexander, who grew up in Jackson, Miss., was 26, sin- gle, andhad three years ejq^e- rience. “But they were willing to set that aside.” Alexander’s star in Chaiiotte’s faith community continues to bum bright after 16 years, in large mea sure due to his leadership and innovation. It’s much hke his explanation for how ideas about the Merchandise Mart came about. “There has to always be as openness to something you had not planned or consid ered,” Alexander said. ‘Tm grateful the congregation has been open and fledble.” University Park’s growth and success has been a team efibrt, Alexander insists. As such, newsmaker of the year is a collective honor. “The church should be the newsmaker. We accom plished this as a whole. That’s the way it shoifid be. A leader with no followers is just taking a walk,” he said. • “The other point to that is that it has been a partnership of pastor and people. I could n’t think of another way to fi'ame it.” As he looks at 2007 Alexander hopes to continue what the ministry has start ed. Wth the purchase and investment The Park is mak ing in the fadhty and com munity, he feels there will be further inc^tive for invest ment by others in the area. He hopes to see a change in attitude as weU. ‘1 see the beginning of sig nificant attention to this area of town,” he said. “My hope is that the lid will have been lifted in terms of immigra tion, creativity, a sense of what’s possible, both within the membership and out side.” 'The first phase of renova tions will begin in spring, which win involve the top two floors of what is now Independence Hall, the atri um, and fifth floor of the Tbwers, and is ejqjected to continue throu^ spring of 2008. With plans for a restaurant, bowling alley meeting and convention space and busi ness courses, Alexander sees 2007 as a time to push “the envelope in terms of how peo ple consider church.” ‘We really want the com munity to see this site as being open,” he said. ‘It’s important they imderstand it’s not just about church being a place to worship on Sunday” POLITICS, ACTIVISM, BUSINESS Post newsmakers come from all walks of life 2005: CIAA Chariotte organiz ers Ed Tapscott, president of the Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority presi dent Tim Newman and Charlotte mayor pro tern Patrick Cannon. 2004: Mecklenburg County Commissioner Wilhelmenia Rembert. 2003: Charlotte Bobcats owner Bob Johnson, the first African American to hold a majority stake in a major league U.S. professional sports franchise. 2 0 0 2: Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent James led development of new housing and shopping options in north west Charlotte. 1997: Civil rights attorney James Ferguson spearheaded high-profile civil rights cases across the Carolinas. 1996: Mint Museum executive Dawn Womack organized the slave ship Henrietta'Marie exhib it. United Way of Central Carolinas executive director The Rev. Claude Alexander said moving University Park Baptist Church to the Charlotte Merchandise Mart will push “the envelope in terms of how people consider church.” PHOTO/PAUL WILLIAMS III Gloria Tapscott Grtffin King was the first African American named to the Charlotte-are I non-profit’s top job. 1 9 9 5: Transamerica Insurance execu tive Bill Simms raised the com- Pughsley, who instituted a pupil assignment plan devoid of court- ordered busing. 2001: Charlotte Housing Authority director Harrison Shannon turned CHA into a national model of self-sufficien cy. Charlotte Convention & Visitors Bureau president Melvin Tennant opened the cil^^^u)(sm and hospitality industry to more recruitment of African-American events. 2000: Arts & Science Council executive director Harriet Sanford led the non-profit to record growth by expanding pro grams and outreach. 1999: Chaiiotte-Mecklenburg School Board chairman Arthur Griffin was the first black elected to the top position. 1998: Northwest Corridor Community Development Corp. executive director Isaac Heard pany’s profile in Charlotte through charitable giving. 1994: Mothers of Murdered Offspring founder Dee Sumpter brought national attention as an advocate of crime victims and their families. 1993: Stop the Killing founder Rev. James Barnett launched a region-wide fight against violence and crime in the King African American community. 1992: U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, who along with U.S. Rep. Eva Clayton, were the first blacks elected to Congress from North Carolina since Reconstruction. 1991: Charlotte Hornets head coach Gene Littles, the NBA franchise’s first black head coach. 1990: U.S. Senate candidate Harvey Gantt, who lost a dose and controversi^ campaign to incumbent Jesse Helms. WhyreadniePosC^ Unique perspediue “I think it’s important to have the perspective of all parts of the community on public policy. The Post provides a unique perspective and I value that perspective.” Dwiiofit Clarke. Mecklenburg County conunissioner Call (704) 376-0496 to link with news that’s important to Chariotte tCIje Cbatlotte TIP OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH JOUR NEW YEARS DAY MONDi^ lANUARY 1 • 7 PM 4 TICKETS 4 T-SHIRTS 4 HOT DOGS 4 COKES ALL FOR ONLY *60 A $170 VALUE! PACKAGES AVAILABLE AT ARENA BOX OFFICE OR BOBCATSBASKETBALL.COM
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 28, 2006, edition 1
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